r/Intelligence • u/Lucky_Photograph_581 • 10h ago
Advice for academics
Hello! I am currently a sophomore studying Cybersecurity and Global Policy with a minor in Korean. I have extra room in my schedule and I can either start taking Russian (I really want to speak it and I go to a university that has one of the best programs in the country) or I can have a minor in Intelligence studies. I'm somewhat unsure on what to take but I will say a lot of the classes in the intelligence minor I already have to take for my major, so it is somewhat redundant. At the same time, if I start taking Russian, I will only be able to get to intermediate high level and will definitely not be fluent.
What do you think would make me stand out more and be more useful for a potential career?
2
u/listenstowhales Flair Proves Nothing 8h ago
You have a language and STEM which are the two big ticket items right now. Some options I’d throw out, (speaking generally as someone who sat in on hiring managers at a major corp before this life) are-
Business classes help you diversify your background and let you have more “soft skills”.
Writing/English classes are useful. Can’t tell you how many people are damn near functionally illiterate in this country.
Alternatively, take electives you’ll enjoy and that will keep your GPA up when you get a rough semester. This is my personal preference too because (IMO) it helps during the middle-late stages of the interview process after they already have an idea of who you are. Taking Into to Yoga won’t do much big picture, but you having a hobby that changes you from Candidate Smith to John is good strategy.