3 ms·
Working for an "intelligence" agency, especially in a field like cryptography, allows you access to state-of-the-art technologies and cutting edge research, and
by a_p 14y ago
Working for an "intelligence" agency, especially in a field like cryptography, allows you access to state-of-the-art technologies and cutting edge research, and an enormous amount of resources that you would not have access to in a civilian job. A famous example of classified cutting edge research is the RSA algorithm which was actually discovered in 1973 by Clifford Cocks.
Government agencies sometimes have reputations for employing people not smart or competent to work in the private sector. Only a handful of agencies in the U.S, such as the NSA and the CDC, have reputations for hiring highly intelligent people. The chance to work with some of the best people in your field is attractive to many people.
Not all intelligence and defense contractors are created equal, and some people want to work for these companies or agencies because they think it is "cool". Most of these people find out that the job is not as "cool" as they thought it would be, and soon find employment elsewhere.
- jff 14y agoI can't speak for the NSA, but the cybersecurity-type research groups I'm familiar with allow you to choose what you work on. You can choose not to work on things you find morally disagreeable while still having the opportunity to do work that has real national/international impact.
- jackpirate 14y agoMost of these people find out that the job is not as "cool" as they thought it would be, and soon find employment elsewhere. I'm one of the few people I know who did this. (I used to be a Navy officer and spent time at the NSA.) By far, the vast majority of friends I had in the Navy wanted to go into defense contracting/spy agencies after they got out. Once your in the military industrial complex, there is a huge cult atmosphere about staying. Few escape.
- adestefan 14y agoIt's not a cult about staying, it's the money. With the right connections you can be a bumbling idiot and still make well over $100k a year.
- hp50g 14y agoI worked for a similar class of organisation in Europe. It was promoted by my university and we were cherry picked with the threat of no employment otherwise (the whole industry was screwed back then) even though the pay was shit. Most people realised what nefarious bastards they were within a couple of weeks but once you've got cash coming in, its hard to shake them off and find another job as no one wants a government tainted employee. I had to sleep in my car for 3 months as a result of quitting. They are also not the best in the field: they are the easiest to manipulate.