Intelligence Careers – Seek Internships, Scholarships, and Jobs!

For years I worked within the Intelligence Community and wondered why so few people looked like me. Part of the reason was awareness. African-American Youth are not often informed about the opportunities to work within the Intelligence Community and that needs to change. I’ve asked recruiters to proactively target schools in underserved communities and HBCUs to recruit and hire students of color. There’s many scholarships, internships, fellowships and careers in the Intelligence Community to include HR, Accounting/Budget, Law, Medical, and Cyber/IT. Let’s change the narrative and diversify the Intelligence Community.

For those seeking jobs within the government consider searching: http://www.IntelligenceCareers.gov

Here’s a list of Scholarships and Internships from the Intelligence Community: https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/icstudents.html

Feel free to personally contact me if you have questions: Ebony Johnson, ebony@simplyebony.com

Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program

The Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to United States armed forces personnel who served in the Afghanistan or Iraq Conflicts, and their sons, daughters, or spouses who are current high school seniors, and full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible accredited Maryland postsecondary institution.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants for the scholarship must submit the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship application, by March 1, 2019, online at

https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us, with all required supporting documentation, which includes:

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed by March 1 each year;

If a son or daughter of a veteran, a birth certificate showing the names of both parents;

If a spouse of a veteran, a marriage certificate;

Documentation of Chapter 33/Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Documentation of military orders: United States Armed Forces – Active Duty: copy of current official military orders: documentation of service in Afghanistan/Iraq

United States Armed Forces – Veteran: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)

United States Armed Forces – Reserve Component: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) Maryland National Guard: copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214)

How to find money, land internships, and attend school debt free!

To those that owe Sallie Mae, those of you seeking higher education, those seeking to get their foot in the door or a career change, or those with children this information is for you! How to find money, land internships, and attend school debt free!
Already in debt? Accumulated a rack of student loans? Here are some options:

 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Teacher Loan Forgiveness:

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher

Military Student Loan Forgiveness Programs:

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher

Research Federal Government Employee College Loan Repayment Programs and Private Companies…
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Just graduated college now what? Here are some options to get your career started!

Presidential Management Fellows Program for Graduate Students/Graduates: http://www.pmf.gov/
College career advisor and career center for help with writing a resume, employment opportunities, and alumni career support.
LinkedIn – Create a complete professional profile and join LinkedIn groups related to your desired career. This is a recruitment tool used by many companies! Also a great way to network.

https://touch.www.linkedin.com/?sessionid=6321123258007552&rs=false&redirectUrl=%23stream&ahoy=no#stream

Military Enlisted and Officer Programs – Contact your local military recruiter for info on loan repayment options and available jobs opportunities.

http://todaysmilitary.com/contact-a-recruiter

Use your network! Friends, family, classmates, local meetup groups, associates, and organizations are great resources!
Check out Indeed.com for jobs and to research salaries (Google search is good for researching salaries and job opportunities too!):

http://www.indeed.com/m/
For private industry jobs: Go directly to the company site and research two things: Job Opportunities and the Hiring Officials.

You will use the hiring officials names to personally address your cover letters. Plus it is good to call an follow up on the status after submitting your application.
For Federal Positions post graduation and Internships for high school and college students (search for the term “Pathways”) visit: USAJobs.gov
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Money, Money, Money for School!
Complete the FAFSA application and talk with the college finance department. You or your child may be eligible for grants, or loans (if needed).

 

https://fafsa.ed.gov/

 

Download and/or visit the one stop shop created by the Million Dollar Scholar Kid for Scholarships!

 

Scholly: Scholarship Search by Scholly, LLC

myscholly.com
Create a donor list and call/write/email each person (this list can include family, friends, pastor, old teachers, church family, hair clients, former coworkers, any affiliated sororities or organizations, etc.)

 

Contact your elected officials for scholarship opportunities (Governor, Senator, House Delegates, etc. Call the office and ask specifically for scholarships)

 

Check with your church to see if they are offering scholarships; ask local organizations about scholarship opportunities like fraternities/sororities/Urban League/NAACP/BIG/etc.

 

If your or your child are a STEM major look up the STOKES Scholarship which offers 100% tuition, an internship, and guaranteed employment for minority students: http://www.studentscholarships.org/scholarship/10288/stokes_educational_scholarship_program_scholarship.php

 

Visit School Soup

http://schoolsoup.com/

 

Need dorm room supplies:

 

Plan a Trunk Party/Farewell Event…register at local stores like Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond to get the needed items for your apartment or dorm.

 

To prepare for your career and get paid: Seek internships, volunteer and paid gigs that give you the experience desired. Your college career advisor and network is a great resource to find volunteer opportunities, internships, and jobs.

Land Your Dream Career!

Frequently I am asked about scholarships, internships and pathways to entering into the Federal Government or the private industry. Here is information that I compiled that may be useful for you, your children, or graduates/transitioning adults.

Tips for Transitioning Adults and Students:

Step 1: Conduct a job search to research and determine eligible positions. Carefully review the requirements and ensure that your skills, education, and professional experience meet the requirements. Recommended sites:
· Indeed (http://www.indeed.com/)
· USAJobs (https://www.usajobs.gov/)
· Career One Stop (http://www.careeronestop.org/site/american-job-center.aspx)
· Intelligence Careers (https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/)

Step 2: Develop Training/Education Plan:
· (Students) Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor at your university to discuss a degree plan that is aligned with your desired career.
· (Transitioning Adults) Search for professional certification programs, academic programs at both major universities and community colleges, look for training opportunities within your organization and free online/in class training options.
· (All) Look for professional certification grants, college scholarships, and training opportunities. Career One Stop is a great resource: (http://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find-training.aspx)

Step 3: (Students) Find money for college
· Submit your FAFSA Application: https://fafsa.ed.gov/
· Use the Scholly App to easily search for scholarships: http://home.myscholly.com/
· Scholarships for Students Interested in Intelligence Careers (Variety of Professions Cyber/IT, HR, Criminal Justice, Linguists, STEM, Business Management/Acquisition, etc.): https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/icstudents.html

Step 4: Apply for Internship/Fellowship
· Students and Recent Graduates: https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads
· Presidential Management Fellows Program (For Advanced Degree Graduates e.g., master’s, Ph.D., J.D.): https://www.pmf.gov/

Step 5: Network!
· Create a LinkedIn profile. Join industry groups and connect with professionals from your desired industry on LinkedIn.
· Contact your career advisor for help seeking internships/jobs.
· Connect with professors, members from your college alumni association, friends, family, mentors, colleagues, fellow members of professional organizations, fraternities, sororities, religious organizations, and volunteer organizations for references or leads for jobs.
· Attend Job Fairs and talk with recruiters to gain insight on desired skills and tips for landing the job! Do a search online for job fairs or contact your career advisor.
o Hiring Our Heroes: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/events/hiringfairs
o National Career Fairs: http://www.nationalcareerfairs.com/
o Intelligence Careers: https://intelligencecareers.com/events/

· Join professional organizations to network and gain industry inside knowledge. Examples of organizations include:
o National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA): http://www.nfbpa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3916
o Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA): http://www.bdpa.org/
o Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA): http://www.afcea.org/site/
o National Security Executives and Professionals: http://www.nsepa.com/
o Federally Employed Women: https://www.few.org/
o Blacks in Government: http://www.bignet.org/

FOSTER CARE SCHOLARSHIP – DEADLINE: MAY 1ST

FOSTER CARE SCHOLARSHIP – DEADLINE: MAY 1ST
Apply here: bit.ly/FamilyFellowship

We’re looking for incoming freshmen or rising sophomore college students who are in or have aged out of the foster care system. Recipients of the scholarship will receive up to $90,000 to help cover tuition, housing, mentors, and activities to create familial bonds with other scholarship recipients. Tag someone you think should apply!

We are accepting applications from the following locations:
-Colorado
-Maryland
-Virginia
-Washington D.C.

#Tips for Professional #Adults and #Students #Transitioning into #CyberSecurity or #IT

#Tips for Professional #Adults and #Students #Transitioning into #Cyber #CyberSecurity or #InformationTechnology #IT #Careers #SimplyEbony

Step 1: (ALL) Conduct a job search to research and determine eligible positions for Cyber, Cybersecurity, Information Technology (IT), Information Assurance, Computer Science, and similar career fields. Carefully review the requirements and ensure that your skills, education, and professional experience meet the requirements. Recommended sites:
· Indeed (http://www.indeed.com/)
· USAJobs (https://www.usajobs.gov/)
· Career One Stop (http://www.careeronestop.org/site/american-job-center.aspx)
· Intelligence Careers (https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/)

Step 2: Develop Training/Education Plan:
· (STUDENTS) Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor at your university to discuss a degree plan that is aligned with your desired career.
· (TRANSITIONING ADULTS) Search for professional certification programs, academic programs at both major universities and community colleges, look for training opportunities within your organization and free online/in class training options.
· (ALL) Seek a two year or four year degree in Cyber Defense or Information Assurance from one of the Centers of Academic Excellence:
https://www.iad.gov/nietp/reports/current_cae_designated_institutions.cfm
· (VETERANS) Seek FREE training certifications here: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/veteran-and-family-resources/career-training/
· (ALL) Look for professional certification grants, college scholarships, and training opportunities. Career One Stop is a great resource: (http://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find-training.aspx)
options.
· (ALL) Visit the IASE Website for detailed information on training and certifications required for Cyber Analysts. Obtain as many cyber certifications as possible to place yourself in a great position to land the jobs equivalent to your experience and desired salary. Here are the industry standards for both Department of Defense (DOD) and Private Industry for certifications:
http://iase.disa.mil/iawip/Pages/index.aspx
Baseline Certifications: http://iase.disa.mil/iawip/Pages/iabaseline.aspx

Step 3: (STUDENTS) Find money for college
· Submit your FAFSA Application: https://fafsa.ed.gov/
· Use the Scholly App to easily search for scholarships: http://home.myscholly.com/
· Research scholarships for Students Interested in Intelligence Careers (Variety of Professions Cyber/IT, HR, Criminal Justice, Linguists, STEM, Business Management/Acquisition, etc.): https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/icstudents.html

Step 4: (STUDENTS) Apply for Internship/Fellowship
· Students and Recent Graduates: https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads
· Presidential Management Fellows Program (For Advanced Degree Graduates e.g., master’s, Ph.D., J.D.): https://www.pmf.gov/

Step 5: (ALL) Network!
· Create a LinkedIn profile. Join industry groups and connect with professionals from your desired industry on LinkedIn.
· Contact your career advisor for help seeking internships/jobs.
· Connect with professors, members from your college alumni association, friends, family, mentors, colleagues, fellow members of professional organizations, fraternities, sororities, religious organizations, and volunteer organizations for references or leads for jobs.
· Attend Job Fairs and talk with recruiters to gain insight on desired skills and tips for landing the job! Do a search online for job fairs or contact your career advisor.
o Hiring Our Heroes: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/events/hiringfairs
o National Career Fairs: http://www.nationalcareerfairs.com/
o Intelligence Careers: https://intelligencecareers.com/events/

· Join professional organizations to network and gain industry inside knowledge. Examples of organizations include:
o National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA): http://www.nfbpa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3916
o Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA): http://www.bdpa.org/
o Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA): http://www.afcea.org/site/
o National Security Executives and Professionals: http://www.nsepa.com/
o Federally Employed Women: https://www.few.org/
o Blacks in Government: http://www.bignet.org/