What are the best college majors for aiming an NSA career?

Hey everyone, I'm a junior. I'm planning to apply for the NSA after college. I would like to know if any specific majors could strengthen my application or pave a smoother way forward.

The National Security Agency (NSA) employs individuals from a broad range of academic disciplines, but there are several majors that can directly prepare you for the kind of work done at the NSA.

1. Computer Science/Information Technology: Many positions at the NSA involve handling and analyzing data, securing networks, and breaking codes. They need people who understand programming, systems analysis, artificial intelligence, and cyber security.

2. Mathematics: NSA is one of the largest employers of mathematicians in the U.S. Effective cryptanalysis and code breaking often requires extensive mathematical knowledge.

3. Foreign Language: Proficiency in critical languages, such as Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, Farsi, and Korean, is hugely valuable in intelligence work. The NSA often hires linguists and translators.

4. International Relations/Political Science: Those who understand the political and cultural nuances of different regions can provide crucial context for intelligence analysis.

5. Electrical Engineering/Physics: Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is a major part of what the NSA does, and this requires a good understanding of how signals are generated, transmitted, and received, which is covered in these majors.

Remember, however, that your major alone isn't the only factor. The NSA also values strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and a demonstrated interest in national security. Summer internships, as well as courses in ethics and law, can also be valuable. Keep your grades up, as the NSA does look at academic performance, and perhaps most importantly—stay out of legal trouble. They're also going to do an extensive background check, so a clean record is essential.