If you're thinking about working as an intelligence analyst, you might start to think about the many spy thrillers you've seen on TV and the big screen over the years. And, perhaps understandably, you might picture yourself in the hero's shoes. While it's true that your job as an intelligence analyst will make you aware of a lot of classified information that the country doesn't know about, you shouldn't expect that you'll have a flashy career in espionage. Instead, you'll be working behind the scenes to make the country safer — and that's most important. Here are three things that you won't likely experience while working as an analyst.

1. Chasing Bad Guys

There are few spy thrillers in which a lowly analyst doesn't find himself or herself chasing a foreign or domestic terrorist in an effort to stop a plot to harm Americans. There's a pretty good chance, however, that you won't find yourself running through dark alleys or jumping on the subway in search of a target. You will, however, chase bag guys in a different sense — electronically. Intelligence analysts investigate persons of interest through a variety of online means, comparing details in databases and monitoring recordings to help build cases against these individuals.

2. Being Recruited By A Foreign Power

In many spy dramas, a disgruntled low-level employee is approached by a foreign power and agrees to work as a double agent. This isn't something that you'll encounter in real life, either. You will, however, perhaps have the chance to recruit people to join your agency. If you work your way up in the analyst field to the point at which you're overseeing a small staff, you'll often be responsible for evaluating resumes and interviewing candidates who possess the skills your agency is looking for.

3. Building Cases At Home

Often, TV intelligence officers take their work home and may dedicate a wall to posting photos of suspects and stringing together clues — which will eventually help to crack a case wide open. You won't experience this scenario, either. Removing classified information from your secure work facility is against regulations, and you'll definitely learn that you must not take anything out with you. Depending on your clearance level, you may even be searched before you leave the building. There's nothing wrong with poring over the details of a case on your own time, though, and an insight at home may come to you that you can explore the next day at work.

For more information, contact your local intelligence analyst jobs board. 

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