Mason Team Competes in CIA Simulation

Mason Team Competes in CIA Simulation
Mason Intelligence Analysis Minors Participate in CIA Simulation

On November 1, 2014, four undergraduate students enrolled in the Mason's Minor in Intelligence Analysis had the opportunity to represent Mason at the CIA's multi-university competition simulation held in Richmond, VA.  These students were selected by Mason faculty based on their course performance and interest in intelligence analysis topics, such as geo-political trends, domestic and international threat groups, and multi-data processing.  The students used standard analytical techniques to work through a scenario-based training exercise developed by CIA analysts and were able to brief decision-makers regarding multiple situations.  Although details of the exercise cannot be released, the Mason students had multi-disciplined backgrounds, which allowed the group to evaluate information with ease.  Mason's participants expressed that the exercise was "highly valuable" to understanding the career field of intelligence analysis. 

In addition, the students were able to learn more about the agency and potential job opportunities by spending time during the event with CIA analysts and recruiters who possessed diverse backgrounds and experiences. While the entire event was an excellent experience for the students, listening to the stories from practitioners was "captivating and fascinating." Mason faculty will continue to promote scenario-based training exercises for students through scheduled events with the Intelligence Community Club.  The CLS Department is very proud of these students for performing so well at the simulation, and grateful to the faculty facilitators who made the students' participation possible, Professors Kimberly Urban, Jessica Herbert, and David Foster.