2 answers
Mackenzie
Student
Waterford Township, Michigan
1
Question
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If I have two very different career paths in mind, how should I find a way to choose between them? Should I try to balance them even though it's unrealistic?
I have two very different career paths in mind. I'd like to be an intelligence officer or a THINKTANK, but I also want to pursue a job in the film industry. I have knacks for both political science and acting/direction. I'm not sure what to do, because choosing one would most likely mean not getting to do the other. What should I do? How should I choose?
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2 answers
T.J. Worthy
Mentor
202
Answers
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Updated
T.J.’s Answer
Hello Mackenzie!
It is possible to pursue both and/or find a way to combine both of your interests.
You could become a intelligence officer and a filmmaker. You'll probably dedicate more time towards being an officer, but you can make films as a professional hobbyist.
I suggest checking out these filmmaker channels:
▹https://www.youtube.com/@NigelBarros
▹https://www.youtube.com/@coryinsights
▹https://www.youtube.com/@epochstories
Since your interests lie in political science and film, you could consider becoming a Political Documentarian.
People enjoy political documentaries and they're very popular. Here's some recent films, for example:
▹12 Fascinating Political Documentaries You Can Stream Right Now | https://www.huffpost.com/entry/political-documentaries-streaming_n_56688d0de4b0f290e521b324
▹9 Political Documentaries that Will Leave Your Head Spinning | https://documentaryreviewers.com/political-documentaries/
Also, here's some articles you can read about the demand:
▹Audience Demand for Documentary Features... | https://variety.com/2021/film/festivals/documentary-features-1234955518/
▹The boom — or glut — in streaming documentaries | https://www.vulture.com/article/tv-documentaries-ethical-standards.html
▹Career in Documentary Making | https://www.bestcommunicationsdegrees.com/faq/what-is-the-best-degree-path-for-a-career-in-documentary-making/
Check out these resources and see if it interests you.
Enjoy learning about these things! :)
It is possible to pursue both and/or find a way to combine both of your interests.
You could become a intelligence officer and a filmmaker. You'll probably dedicate more time towards being an officer, but you can make films as a professional hobbyist.
I suggest checking out these filmmaker channels:
▹https://www.youtube.com/@NigelBarros
▹https://www.youtube.com/@coryinsights
▹https://www.youtube.com/@epochstories
Since your interests lie in political science and film, you could consider becoming a Political Documentarian.
People enjoy political documentaries and they're very popular. Here's some recent films, for example:
▹12 Fascinating Political Documentaries You Can Stream Right Now | https://www.huffpost.com/entry/political-documentaries-streaming_n_56688d0de4b0f290e521b324
▹9 Political Documentaries that Will Leave Your Head Spinning | https://documentaryreviewers.com/political-documentaries/
Also, here's some articles you can read about the demand:
▹Audience Demand for Documentary Features... | https://variety.com/2021/film/festivals/documentary-features-1234955518/
▹The boom — or glut — in streaming documentaries | https://www.vulture.com/article/tv-documentaries-ethical-standards.html
▹Career in Documentary Making | https://www.bestcommunicationsdegrees.com/faq/what-is-the-best-degree-path-for-a-career-in-documentary-making/
Check out these resources and see if it interests you.
Enjoy learning about these things! :)
Derek Rosa, MBA, PMP
Program/Project Manager
2
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Derek’s Answer
Hello Mackenzie,
Intelligence is a very broad function within the federal government and military, and there are many types and specialties within the career. The Central Intelligence Agency is the main Human Intelligence (HUMINT) agency within the government and the National Security Agency is the main Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) agency. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) works with Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is the military's intelligence analysis organization. There are many other intelligence agencies within the U.S. government that are worth pursuing, but it all depends on your interests.
As T.J. mentions above, you can do both and see which one you prefer or excel in. Many intelligence agencies provide summer internships for students, but you would have to travel/live near the agency and any costs would be out-of-pocket. You could try enlisting in the military as an intelligence specialist (in whatever discipline you choose) and, while they are training you to become an intelligence officer, you can also earn access to the Montgomery G.I. Bill to use to pay for college. If, after your enlistment is finished, you decide that you do not want to be an intelligence officer, you can use the G.I. Bill to go back to college and earn your filmmaking degree for free.
As far as a Thinktank career, that requires years of extensive education or experience in a particular career field. While some Thinktanks provide internships to college students and grad students, the value of a potential Thinktank employee comes from their experience within the field as well as their extensive personal and professional network. Usually, many Thinktanks recruit individuals who were high-ranking military members, former political insiders (think congressional staffers), or experts within a particular field (like the senior analyst at the CIA or DIA). It's a lot more difficult a career to break into right out of school.
The choice is yours, but talking with and researching individuals who are in that career field will provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information on these career fields and could help you decide.
Intelligence is a very broad function within the federal government and military, and there are many types and specialties within the career. The Central Intelligence Agency is the main Human Intelligence (HUMINT) agency within the government and the National Security Agency is the main Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) agency. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) works with Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is the military's intelligence analysis organization. There are many other intelligence agencies within the U.S. government that are worth pursuing, but it all depends on your interests.
As T.J. mentions above, you can do both and see which one you prefer or excel in. Many intelligence agencies provide summer internships for students, but you would have to travel/live near the agency and any costs would be out-of-pocket. You could try enlisting in the military as an intelligence specialist (in whatever discipline you choose) and, while they are training you to become an intelligence officer, you can also earn access to the Montgomery G.I. Bill to use to pay for college. If, after your enlistment is finished, you decide that you do not want to be an intelligence officer, you can use the G.I. Bill to go back to college and earn your filmmaking degree for free.
As far as a Thinktank career, that requires years of extensive education or experience in a particular career field. While some Thinktanks provide internships to college students and grad students, the value of a potential Thinktank employee comes from their experience within the field as well as their extensive personal and professional network. Usually, many Thinktanks recruit individuals who were high-ranking military members, former political insiders (think congressional staffers), or experts within a particular field (like the senior analyst at the CIA or DIA). It's a lot more difficult a career to break into right out of school.
The choice is yours, but talking with and researching individuals who are in that career field will provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information on these career fields and could help you decide.