Languages and Degrees.

[FutureRanger2000]

Hello all,

I am starting to learn Spanish on Monday, and I thought of a question to post here. If I were looking to work in a federal agency (CIA specifically) down the road (a LONG ways down the road), would it be more helpful to know one language EXTREMELY fluently with different dialects and accents, or to know several (4-5) languages semi-fluently? Also, I reviewed some of the threads recently and some say that an International Buisness/Finance/Relations is very desirable. What about a BA in Intelligence Studies, followed up with a MA in National Security Studies? Would that rank up there with International Relations? I appreciate any responses, thank you very much.

[Bro]

would it be more helpful to know one language EXTREMELY fluently with different dialects and accents...?

yes

And in terms of majors- forget about the specific degrees- the government is looking for good grades, high achievement and the right attitude. Not a fancy piece of paper.

-Bro

[Jims]

[MADMIK]

While in college, go on a study aboard program. More than 1 semester is good. If you can live overseas without U.S. items, then you can do it. Don't set the CIA on your list. Try the international corporations, Foreign Service, etc as a fallback.

[DIRSUP KORLING]

I'd pick a language other than Spanish. A very large percentage of our population speaks it fluently already.

You have two routes to pick from. Go with an Asian language like Chinese or Japanese. Learn it and live it. That prob won't get you a job with the CIA though, unless you are Asian. Lots of other agencies in the alphabet soup would be willing to take you though.

If you want to work for the CIA and are trying to get in on the language angle you should captialize on your ethnic background. If you are of Russian descent, learn Russian, not Japanese. A large white man kind of sticks out at a Japanese bar, if you know what I mean.

One more thing on languages. If you put all of your effort behind one language, make sure it is one you like. You will prob be working that target for your entire career so you better make sure you are going to enjoy it. I'm stuck with Korean and have come to dislike the language and the country very much. Dislike it enough that I'm seriously considering bailing at the end of this tour if they don't give me another language.

Have fun!
mario

[Bro]

Hey Mario-

I'm supposed to attend DLI in Monterey for 63 weeks to learn, yep, Korean in August. Any tips or suggestions for a young private in Special Operations? Why don't you like Korean? It must be the kimchee, isn't it... I know that getting deployed to Korea is almost guaranteed after graduation, but what other options do I have with it? Thanks in advance.

-Bro

p.s. I am a native speaker in Mandarin Chinese- go figure

[DIRSUP KORLING]

Originally posted by Bro:
Hey Mario-

I'm supposed to attend DLI in Monterey for 63 weeks to learn, yep, Korean in August. Any tips or suggestions for a young private in Special Operations? Why don't you like Korean? It must be the kimchee, isn't it... I know that getting deployed to Korea is almost guaranteed after graduation, but what other options do I have with it? Thanks in advance.

-Bro

p.s. I am a native speaker in Mandarin Chinese- go figure



Enjoy your time in Monterey while you can. If you SF I assume you aren't going on to Goodfellow. You won't be missing anything.

Don't let the teachers get to you. A lot of guys get worked up about some of the attitudes they get, but in the end it ain't worth it. Just nod your head and say "Ne".

You are going to get a shitload of homework but after the first month most people either copied it or just didn't do it. I quit doing homework after the first month and I graduated with a 2/2+. You will find after a few months that you are getting burned out on the language. That's when most people quit the homework.

If you are going SF or PSYOPS then you should make sure you get all the speaking practice you can. You can coast through DLI without speaking all that much Korean, so you have to make the effort in class. You will be glad later on that you did.

The reasons I dislike Korean are varied. One is the way the Navy handles their Korean linguists. Another is all the political crap that goes on between the US and the Koreas. Which reminds me of another tip. Keep up with current events between us and the Koreas. Learn what's been going on the last few years. I've seen DLPT questions come straight out of the newspaper. Sometimes you can answer them right even if you don't understand the Korean since you know what's going on in the world.

You are right about Korea. Pretty much all the Army guys who went through DLI when I did ended up there. A couple of the interrogators went to Schofield Barracks here in Hawaii. The PSYOPS guys went back to Ft. Bragg I think. Didn't have any SF guys that I know of. I think they have their own language school at Bragg.

Have fun and don't forget Thursday night is karaoke night at the Legion. Also, if you get trashed downtown get a taxi back. DLI sits on top of this small mountain and it sucks trying to climb back up it when you are drunk.

peace,
mario