Chapter 6
Cybersecurity Job Resources
Abstract
Whether you are looking for a cybersecurity job in the public or private sector, this resource-rich chapter provides information on various internship programs job seekers should look at.
Keywords
Central Intelligence Agency
Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence and Analysis
Department of Treasury, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Defense Intelligence Agency
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
National Security Agency
6.1. Should you do an unpaid internship?
Of course, a paid position is better, but if you lack the experience, or do not have a computer science major (or equivalent) then often an unpaid internship will produce significant long-term benefits.
Here is a quick statistic that will likely influence your motivation to secure a paid or unpaid internship: 75% of employers prefer new graduates with work experience1!
In the next section, we will look at various private and public opportunities available to you, but let us just establish the benefits of an unpaid internship:
Benefit 1: Gain valuable knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): An internship provides the opportunity to gain “hands-on” work experience and skills that are essential in your cybersecurity career.
Benefit 2: Gain an edge in the job market: Although there is huge demand for cybersecurity professionals, the demand is mostly for experienced professionals, And an internship is often the best way to show that experience.
Benefit 3: Potential Transition Into Full Time Employment: It is a simple but true fact that employers see interns as prospective employees and many finish their internships and continue working with the company full time.
6.2. US federal internships and graduate opportunities
To address a shortage of skilled graduate labor in the United States, especially cyber experts, President Obama signed Executive Order 13562, entitled “Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates,” on December 27, 2010.
This Executive Order established the “Internship Program” for current students and the “Recent Graduates Program” for people who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs (2 years from the date the graduate completed an academic course of study).
Many of these federal internship opportunities can open the door to full-time jobs and serve as an excellent way of entering the federal workforce. Several federal internships are within the intelligence community (IC) agencies. The IC is committed to growing the next generation of intelligence professionals (especially cyber professionals) by offering current students a variety of temporary employment and scholarship opportunities (for a list of IC agencies please refer to the end of this section).
Types of Internships and Opportunities
Managed by the Office of Personnel Management, there are three pathways:
The Internship Program: This program provides enrolled students exposure to the Federal Government (see our list for examples and opportunities).
The Recent Graduate Program: This program is designed for new graduates and those who graduated in the past 2 years. This program provides developmental opportunities and training.
The Presidential Management Fellows Program: This program, also known as the PMF, is a leadership-development program for entry-level advanced degree candidates.
Let us now take a look at existing opportunities within these programs.
Government Internship Opportunities with the Federal Government Intelligence Agencies
• Agency: Central Intelligence Agency
• Program: CIA Student Work Program
• Description: Work and shadow IT security professionals in the CIA
• Agency: Department of Energy, Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence
• Program: The “DOE Scholars Program”
• Description: The DOE Scholars Program introduces students or recent college graduates to DOE’s mission and operations.
• Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence and Analysis
• Program: Secretary’s Honors Program
• Description: A recruitment initiative for exceptional recent graduates.
• Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence and Analysis
• Program: SHP Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative
• Description: This program is for 100 unpaid student volunteers with assignments available in over 60 locations across the country, participating in, for example, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, computer forensics, the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. Student volunteers in the program gain invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to the work done by DHS cybersecurity professionals, and perform a broad range of duties in support of DHS cybersecurity mission.
• Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence and Analysis
• Program: Presidential Management Fellows Program
• Description: This program is designed for graduate-level students to attract outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs.
• Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence and Analysis
• Program: Acquisition Professional Career Program
• Description: Acquisition Professional Career Program participants work in one of six career fields, each of which plays a vital role in department acquisition (which includes systems security engineers).
• Agency: Department of State, Intelligence and Research
• Program: Student Programs
• Description: The U.S. Department of State offers two programs for high-school, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students who are interested in working in a foreign affairs environment.
• Agency: Department of Treasury, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
• Program: Pathways Program
• Description: Pathways, short for the Pathways Program, are a new series of programs developed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to reform the student hiring programs across the government. The Pathways Programs contains three main hiring options: Internship Program, Recent Graduate Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program (similar to the DHS above).
• Agency: Defense Intelligence Agency
• Program: Academic Semester Internship Program
• Description: Provides undergraduate seniors and graduate students enrolled as full-time degree seeking students the opportunity to gain practical work experience in intelligence analysis while enrolled in classes.
• Agency: Defense Intelligence Agency
• Program: Cooperative Education Program
• Description: Provides a select number of talented undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in combination with their academic studies.
• Agency: Defense Intelligence Agency
• Program: National Intelligence Scholars Program
• Description: Affords a small select number of college graduates the opportunity to obtain a quality education that will get their career off to a successful beginning.
• Agency: Drug Enforcement Administration
• Program: Internship Program
• Description: Shadow the activities of cyber and law professionals in the DEA.
• Agency: Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Program: Honors Internship Program
• Description: Paid FBI Internship Opportunity in which you shadow and assist the activities of law enforcement.
• Agency: Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Program: Volunteer Internship Program (unpaid):
• Description: The FBI Volunteer Internship Program is an unpaid internship opportunity that offers undergraduates (junior or senior), graduates or postdoctorate students throughout the country an exciting insider’s view of FBI operations and an opportunity to explore career opportunities within the Bureau.
• Agency: Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Program: Laboratory Division’s Visiting Science Program
• Description: Students, postgraduates, and faculty are eligible to apply for the FBI Visiting Scientist Program.
• Agency: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
• Program: NGA Student Employment Program
• Description: Applicants must be enrolled in an associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or postgraduate degree program with coursework related to NGA’s mission.
• Agency: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
• Program: NGA Scholarship Programs & Stokes Scholarship Program
• Description: The NGA Stokes Scholarship Program is designed for high-achieving college undergraduates who have demonstrated financial need and interest in a career with NGA.
• Agency: National Security Agency
• Program: NSA internships
• Description: Co-op program, scholarships, and work–study programs will help you to develop and shape your career well before your studies are through.
• Agency: National Security Agency
• Program: Undergraduate Positions
• Description: As a college undergrad, you can gain the experience you need while working toward your degree.
• Agency: National Security Agency
• Program: Graduate Positions
• Description: If you are working toward your MS or PhD in a field critical to NSA’s mission, they can help you gain the practical experience you need.
IC Agency Employment Websites
For other cybersecurity related employment opportunities within the US IC, please visit the following URL’s for the latest information:
– CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) https://www.cia.gov/careers/index.html
– DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) http://www.dea.gov/resources/job_applicants.html
– DHS (Department Homeland Security) http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/careers/
– DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) http://www.dia.mil/careers.aspx
– DOE (Department of Energy) http://jobs.energy.gov/
– DoS (Department of State) http://www.state.gov/careers/
– FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) https://www.fbijobs.gov
– NGA (National Geospatial Agency) https://www1.nga.mil/Careers/Pages/default.aspx
– NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) http://www.nro.mil/careers/careers.html
– NSA (National Security Agency) http://www.nsa.gov/careers/
– ODNI (Director of National Intelligence) http://www.odni.gov
– Treasury (US Treasury) http://www.treasury.gov/organization/employment/
– US Army (US Army) http://www.cpol.army.mil/
– USAF (US Air Force) http://www.afciviliancareers.com/index.php
– USCG (US Coast Gaurd) http://www.uscg.mil/civilian/
– USMC (United States Marine Corps) http://www.quantico.marines.mil/UnitHome.aspx
– US Navy (US Army) http://www.navy.com/careers.html
6.3. The Federal Hiring Process
If you are not selected during any of the steps or process outlined don’t get discouraged. Refine your resume and KSA’s (knowledge, skills, and abilities), and continue to apply to relevant openings.
The Federal hiring process is a lot longer than in the private sector because of stricter processes in handling job applications. In addition, being able to apply for positions through the links listed previously, the main resource for your quest to seek Federal employment (or internship) is to use the US government’s USAJobs.gov website. USAJobs.gov has inbuilt functionality that allows applicants to see how their applications are progressing through the organization’s hiring processes.
6.4. US private sector internships and graduate opportunities
These companies have recently attended cybersecurity job fairs at several universities throughout the United States to recruit students – making them some of the nation’s most active recruiters:
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Deloitte
• ExecuTech Strategic Consulting
• General Dynamics
• ManTech International
• MOSAIC Technologies Group
• Northrop Grumman
• Radius Technology Group
• Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
• The Boeing Company
• URS (United Research Services)
• Science Applications International Corporation
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Hewlett-Packard
• Dell
• CACI (Consolidated Analysis Center, Incorporated)
• Accenture
Here is our list of corporate internships opportunities in the United States:
Chevron IT Internship (http://careers.chevron.com/disciplines/index_of_disciplines/information_technology/it_internships.aspx)
Apple Internship (http://www.apple.com/jobs/us/students.html#internship)
GE General IT Internship (http://careers.gm.com/student-center.html)
GE General Specialized IT Internships (http://www.ge.com/careers/culture/university-students/information-technology-leadership-program/united-states)
Valero Energy Internships (http:://www.valero.com/Careers/UniversityRecruiting/Pages/InformationServicesInterns.aspx)
AT&T Internships (http://att.jobs/careers/college/internships/technology-internships)
HP Internships (http://h30631.www3.hp.com/careers/it-students-and-graduates-jobs)
Verizon Internship Program (http://www.verizon.com/jobs/campus_internships.html)
IBM Extreme Blue Internship Program (http://www-01.ibm.com/employment/us/extremeblue/)
Target Technology Leadership Program (https://corporate.target.com/careers/college-students)
Comcast Technical Operations Internships (http://jobs.comcast.com/Campus-Programs/Internships-and-rotational-programs/Comcast-Internship-Program)
Dell Summer Internships (http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/uscorp1/internships)
Dow Chemical Information Research Internship Program (http://www.dow.com/careers/programs/student.htm)
Intel IRISE Software Engineering Internship (http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/jobs/locations/united-states/students/internships/intel-early-internship-software-engineering.html)
Google Technical Internships (http://www.google.com/about/careers/students/)
Humana Specialized College Programs – Information Technology (https://www.humana.com/about/careers/college-programs/specialized-college-programs)
World Fuel Services Fast-Track IT Program (https://www.wfscorp.com/Fast-Track_IT_Program)
Oracle Product Development Internships (http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/careers/college/intern-at-oracle/product-development/index.html)
John Deere Information Technology Internships (https://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/corporate/our_company/careers/students/college/college.page)
Allstate Technology Leadership Development Program (http://www.allstate.com/careers/students-and-new-grads.aspx)
Morgan Stanley Industrial Placement Technology Internship (http://www.morganstanley.com/about/careers/programs/articles/282955423.html)
Nationwide University Relations Programs (http://www.nationwide.com/about-us/careers-college.jsp)
Cigna Technology Early Career Development Program (http://careers.cigna.com/CIGNAPage.aspx?page=102)
Time Warner Time Warner College Associates Program (TWCAP) – Technology (http://www.timewarner.com/careers/areas-of-operation/internships)
Halliburton GOSelect Information Technology Internships (http://www.halliburton.com/en-US/careers/students-and-recent-graduates/internships.page?node-id=hgeyxtcl)
Publix Supermarkets Information Technology Internships (http://corporate.publix.com/careers/support-areas/internships)
Raytheon Information Technology Leadership Development Program (http://jobs.raytheon.com/en/career-paths/campus-recruiting/leadership-development-program)
Xerox IT Internships (http://www.xerox.com/jobs/internship/enus.html)
Altria Information Technology Internships (http://www.altria.com/Careers/Student_Center/Internships/Pages/default.aspx)
First Energy Information Technology Internships/Co-Ops (https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/fecorp/careers/student_opportunities/co-op_intern.html)
Kellogg Information Technology Internships (https://www.kelloggcareers.com/global/grow-with-us/career-opportunities/career-opportunities-students-new-grads.html)
Viacom Internship Programs (http://www.mtvncareers.com/internships.html)
Anadarko Petroleum Information Technology Summer Internship Program (http://www.anadarko.com/Careers/Pages/InformationTechnology.aspx)
Texas Instruments Software Engineer Internships (http://careers.ti.com/intern)
Oneok “The One to Work For” Information Technology Internships (http://www.theonetoworkfor.com/∼/media/ONEOK/Careers/PositionProfiles/Recruiting%20Insert%20IT%202011.ashx)
Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Program (https://www.thermofisher.com/global/en/about/careers/itldp.asp)
Western Digital FIT-U Electrical Engineers Program (http://www.wdc.com/en/company/employment/college.aspx)
Textron Leadership Development Program: Technology (http://www.textron.com/careers/growth-development/LDP-IT.php)
Ecolab Information Technology Undergraduate Internships (http://www.ecolab.com/careers/learn-more-about/campus-recruiting/undergraduate-internships)
Visa Tech and Engineering Internships (http://usa.visa.com/careers/university-recruiting/undergraduates.jsp)
Devon Energy IT Internships (http://www.devonenergy.com/Careers/Pages/Students.aspx#terms?disclaimer=yes)
Applied Materials Co-Op/Internship Program (http://www.appliedmaterials.com/company/careers/intern)
Ashland Information Technology Internships (http://www.ashland.com/careers/Students-and-Graduates)
Agilent Technologies Technology Internships (http://www.jobs.agilent.com/students/usa.html)
Actavis U.S. Internship Programs (http://www.actavis.com/careers/university/internships-and-programs/internship-programs)
Booz Allen Hamilton High-Tech Internship Programs (http://www.boozallen.com/media/file/BAH-internship-program.pdf)
6.5. US recruitment organizations
Job recruitment websites that offer cybersecurity positions include:
• USA Jobs (https://www.usajobs.gov/; this especially refers to the above sections)
• Computer Jobs (http://www.computerjobs.com/gb/en/IT-Jobs/)
• Dice (http://www.dice.com/)
• Career Builder (http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/cyber-security)
• Indeed (http://www.indeed.co.uk/)
• Beyond (http://www.beyond.com/)
• The Ladders (http://www.theladders.com/)
• Simply Hired (http://www.simplyhired.com/k-united-states-jobs.html)
• Glassdoor (http://www.glassdoor.com)
Here is a list of recruitment companies that specialize in cybersecurity job placement:
Alta Associates
Bartles Corner Rd, Suite 21
Flemington, NJ 08822
P: 908-806-8442
Benchmark
1984 Isaac Newton Square, Suite 202
Reston, VA 20190
P: 703-728-8506
Blackmere Consulting
3790 Founders Pointe Drive
Idaho Falls, ID 83406
P: (208) 932-2750
Coalfire
361 Centennial Parkway
Louisville, CO 80830
P: 303-554-7555
CT Partners
875 15th Street NW, Suite 901
Washington, DC 20005
P: 202-730-7905
Evan Scott Group International
1050 Connecticut Avenue, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
P: 202-842-0441
LeznerGroup LTD
5140 Main Street, Suite 303–120
Williamsville, NY 14221
P: 212-920-6155
L.J. Kushner and Associates LLC
36 West Main St., Suite 302
Freehold, NJ 07728
P: 732-577-8100
Pinnacle Placements
132 Marlborough Street, Suite #3R
Boston, MA 02116
P: 415-495-7170
Radiant Recruiting
2435 North Central Expressway, Suite 1200
Richardson, TX 75080
P: 972-437-2777
Security & Investigative Placement Consultants LLC
7710 Woodmont Ave #209
Bethesda, MD 20814
P: 301-229-6360 or 301-424-1099
POB 620298
Oviedo, FL 32762
P: 301-229-6360 or 301-424-1099
P.O. Box 398
Woodland Park, CO 80866
P: 301-229-6360 or 301-424-1099
Secure Recruiting International Inc.
3510 N San Miguel Street, Suite 111
Tampa, FL 33629
P: 813-258-8303
Cyber 360 Solutions
607 North Avenue, Suite 15–2
Wakefield, MA 01880
P: 781-438-4380
Potomac Recruiting
2200 Wilson Blvd. Suite 102–121
Arlington, VA 22201
P: 703-535-3133