Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence
Do you attend an Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE)? If yes, be sure to indicate this in your application.
Student Opportunities
Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your skills, enhance your career potential, and make a global difference each day? As a member of NGA’s elite student workforce, you will see first-hand how the work you are doing supports homeland security, disaster relief, and our nation’s warfighters.
NGA Student Internship Program
NGA views student employees as our future workforce; therefore, work assigned to students is professional in nature and is conducted in a learning environment that provides each student real-world experience and an opportunity to be evaluated for potential long-term employment. Student employment assignments are open to associate, undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students and are based on entry-level professional job descriptions, which will involve a great deal of independent and team oriented work under the guidance of a senior-level supervisor and mentors.
Students who perform successfully and meet program requirements are invited to continue in the program for the duration of their degree programs, and may be granted the opportunity for conversion to permanent employment upon graduation.
To be eligible to participate in NGA’s Student Internship Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, and at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.
- Applicants must be enrolled in a associate, baccalaureate, graduate, or post-graduate degree program with coursework related to NGA's mission (see the list of relevant degree programs in each Assignment Opportunity Notice).
- Applicants must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, as determined by their educational institute.Applicants who apply to the Student Internship Program before completing their first semester of college will not be required to submit an academic transcript during the application period, but if selected, their offers will be contingent upon receipt of an official transcript showing a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 by July 15, 2016. Applicants who have completed a degree program, and are in the first semester of a subsequent degree program at the time of application (i.e. just started a graduate program after previously completing a bachelor's) will be required to submit the final transcript from their previous degree program during the application process to determine basic eligibility regarding GPA requirements. If selected, their offers will be contingent upon receipt of an official transcript from their current degree program showing a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 by July 15, 2016. All selectees will be required to submit an updated official transcript prior to entering on duty
- Applicants must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information or TS/SCI.
- Applicants will be tested for illegal drug use. Use of illegal drugs within the last 12 months is generally not acceptable. Illegal drug use prior to the 12 month window is carefully evaluated
- Selectees are required to work a minimum of 10 weeks each summer for the duration of their tenure in the Student Internship Program.
Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation Program
NGA is a participating placement site for scholars in the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) program. This scholarship for service program was established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Participants are afforded an opportunity to receive a full scholarship, stipend for living expenses, and employment in the Federal Government upon degree completion.
Additional information about this program as well as the application timeline and instructions can be found on the
SMART website. When applying, students are asked to rank their top choices for placement in order of preference. Typically, only scholars who indicated NGA as a first choice for placement on their SMART application are considered when NGA’s annual sponsorship selections are made.
Internship Opportunities Application Period Tips and Tricks
Take Cover
Even though the student internship job opening states that cover letters are optional, they are highly suggested. It's your first impression, make it a good one!
Cover Letter Tip
In your cover letter, make sure to state which work role you would like to be considered for. You can find work roles in the internship opportunity job posting.
Resume Hint
While you don't need to attach a resume to the student internship application, please include your work history (copy + paste works great!) at the appropriate prompts.
Referral Hint
Did you meet a NGA recruiting representative at a campus or professional event? Be sure to include the name of the event or the name of your school in the "Reference" section of the student internship application!
Save the Date
Be sure to include your graduation date - even if it's in the future - in the "Education" section of the student internship application at the "Year Acquired" prompt. Also include it in your cover letter!
Location, Location, Location
Don't forget to indicate in the "Other Information" section which NGA headquarters location you would like to be placed at - Springfield, VA, St. Louis, MO, or both!
Be Yourself!
Use your cover letter and interviews to give hiring managers a good view of who you are and why you'd like to intern at NGA.
Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence
Do you attend an Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE)? If yes, be sure to indicate this in your application.
Work Experience Tip
When adding your work experience to your student intern application, be sure to include daily duties, training received and any kind of recognition you received in the role.
It's Academic
Graduating from a current academic program and entering another? Be sure to explain any academic changes in your cover letter.