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DIA Sponsored Programs offer valuable work experience for college students at every education level. DIA seeks the best and brightest students to bring their knowledge and skills to our diverse workforce.
Join DIA to gain valuable professional experience while completing your degree! With a variety of programs and internships, DIA will provide you, as a high-achieving college student from an accredited U.S. institution, the ability to use your degree in a real world setting while continuing your education.
Our Student Programs allow you the opportunity to gain practical work experience while working side-by-side with professionals in each Career Field in order to gain valuable on-the job experience while providing support to DIA and its mission.
DIA offers valuable work experience for college students at every education level. With a variety of programs, internships and entry-level career options, DIA seeks the best and brightest students and recent graduates to bring their knowledge and skills to our diverse workforce.
The student internship programs at DIA provide high-achieving university and college students from accredited institutions throughout the U.S. with the opportunity to use their degrees in real world settings while continuing their education, thereby better preparing them for careers upon graduation.
DIA provides military intelligence to warfighters, defense policymakers, and force planners in the Department of Defense and intelligence community in support of U.S. military planning, operations, and acquisition. We plan, manage, and execute intelligence operations during peacetime, crisis, and war.
DIA also hosts invitation only Hiring Events for our Student Programs. Students are essential and we encourage the development of skills for Officers specifically needed by the Agency.
Interns are eligible to be placed into the Hiring Pool upon successful completion of their program, and a favorable performance rating*.
*Not available for unpaid programs
Our team focuses on acquiring the nation’s best students through recruitment and outreach that establishes the foundation for an agile and highly-skilled workforce, that is able and prepared to meet the agency’s mission needs.
DIA works closely with partners in academia and the private sector to identify and participate in Job fairs, College/University Career Fairs, and on-campus information session opportunities. In addition, we coordinate with multiple stakeholders across the Agency such as; Career Fields, Hiring Managers, Equal Opportunity and Diversity division, etc. to ensure DIA recruits, retains, and develops responsive, diverse, highly-skilled workforce.
If you would like us to visit your university/organization, please email DIARecruiting@dodiis.mil. We are also available on Handshake!
Interns are typically hired through our Internship/Student Program Hiring Events on diajobs.dia.mil. Please be sure to check the website frequently to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to apply!
Check out the descriptions of our student programs below to see which program fits you best.
DoD Sponsored Programs at DIA offer a specified variety of programs and internships to students looking to make a valuable contribution to Defense Intelligence.
The Summer Internship Program (SIP) provides promising undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain practical, on-the-job experience working side-by-side with intelligence, technology, human resources, and other professionals in their field of study while providing support to the mission at DIA.
While at DIA, interns will gain insight into a career in the Intelligence Community, what it takes to support the warfighter, and how to become a permanent employee at DIA. Gain valuable on-the-job experience through providing direct support to the mission at DIA while employed on full-time basis during the summer!
Benefits:
When: The internship occurs May through August over a 10–14 week period! The vacancy announcement typically opens in March.
The timeline below indicates the timeline for SIP. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The Academic Semester Internship Program (ASIP) is a retention only program that provides promising undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to continue gaining practical work experience in their respective Career Fields while enrolled in classes. Acceptance into this program requires completion of the Summer Internship Program or the Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP).
The Agency offers a limited number of paid academic semester internships. Interns work for one semester with the possibility for extension into the following semester. Continue gaining valuable on-the-job experience through providing direct support to the mission at DIA as a part-time temporary employee (29 hours per week) while attending school.
Benefits:
When: The internship occurs August through May during your Fall and Spring semesters! If you have graduated, you cannot participate in ASIP, however you may be eligible for a 120-day extension upon successful completion of your Summer Internship.
The timeline below indicates the timeline for ASIP. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP) provides a select number of talented undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in combination with their academic studies by exchanging one academic semester for full-time employment.
This is an excellent opportunity for students seeking to serve their country to participate in the critical work of the Agency through an extended work period. Gain valuable on-the-job experience through providing direct support to the mission at DIA while employed on full-time basis during one academic semester!
Benefits:
When: The internship occurs January through May for one academic semester!
Vacancy Announcements are posted in late February-Early March for the following year.
The chart below indicates the timeline for CO-OP. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The Louis Stokes Educational Scholarship (STOKES) Program is for a small number of high-achieving high school seniors and college freshman and sophomores interested in a career in public service. STOKES is a needs-based program offering tuition assistance to students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities, while also providing challenging summer work, and guaranteed employment in their field of study upon graduation. Students attend classes full-time during the academic year, and work at DIA full time during the summer in positions related to their course of study. Upon completion of the internship, you must commit to continue in the service of DIA for a total of 18 months of continued service for each academic year of DIA educational sponsorship. (ex: 2 years of Academic sponsorship = 3 years of service at DIA)
Upon successful completion of the program, you are placed permanently in the Career Field/Career Specialty for which you were selected.
Benefits:
When: The internship occurs May through August over a 10–12-week period!
Note: Vacancy Announcements are posted in September – October, for the following year.
The chart below indicates the timeline for STOKES. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is an internship program that connects federal sector employers nationwide with you as a highly motivated college student and recent graduate with disabilities eager to apply your knowledge, skills and abilities in the workplace through summer internships. WRP is sponsored and managed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Once you are selected for the program, you can connect with an employee mentor. Mentors assist disabled students selected for employment under the WRP with interviewing techniques, goal setting, the federal application process, and other workplace challenges. Interns are eligible to work full-time for up to 14 weeks or part-time for up to 28 weeks.
The timeline below indicates the timeline for WRP. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The DoD Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation Program (SMART) provides students, including current DoD employees seeking advanced degrees, with a full-time, paid summer internship. To be a participant, you must be pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields of study.
Benefits: You receive paid tuition and fees, stipend, and guaranteed employment upon graduation upon successful completion.
When: The internship occurs May through June for up to three summers.
The below indicates the timeline for the DoD SMART Scholarship Program. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
You are accepted (or declined) by SMART and are awarded scholarship funds.
Sponsoring Facility handles logistics for bringing you on for the following summer.
As a recruitment awardee, you are required to complete a mandatory site visit at your sponsoring facility.
You will be submitted to the security team to undergo a thorough background investigation that examines your life history, character, trustworthiness, reliability and soundness of judgment. Note: The security process can take up to one year to complete.
Once cleared through security, the SMART Internship Program Manager will reach out to you and extend a final job offer.
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) is a Congress established program through the David L. Boren National Security Act of 1991 to provide a broader and more qualified pool of US citizens with foreign language and international exposure to work in national security positions. NSEP is a scholarship program that promotes language skills, cultural awareness and understanding of national security issues.
In collaboration with the National Security Education Program Office, DIA has established a one-year, full-time internship program designed to provide a small select number of recent college graduates the opportunity to apply their knowledge and gain practical work experience.
Benefits:
NSEP Service Requirement:
As an awardee, you will spend 100% of your time on federally funded projects. Projects are funded by the Departments of Defense, State, or Homeland Security; or an agency in the Intelligence Community.
Application opens in November. NSEP interns are hired year-round. Your NSEP application must include a narrative of your work experience that highlights your interest in working in the intelligence field or other specialized skills.
The timeline below indicates the timeline for NSEP. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
DIA Unpaid Programs offer valuable opportunities to gain relevant work experience, network with professionals, and build your resume while working towards your degree.
The Office of the General Counsel Unpaid Internship Program provides you, a promising JD student (who has completed a minimum of two semesters) enrolled full-time at U.S. accredited law schools the opportunity to gain experience on a full-time basis and receive academic credit for your time.
When: The internship occurs for one academic semester (January through May or August-December) over a 12-week period!
The application is available every Spring and Fall and may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
Note: Vacancy Announcements are posted in February and November, for the following year.
The chart below indicates the timeline for OGC’s Spring Internship. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The chart below indicates the timeline for OGC’s Fall Internship. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The Harvard University Kennedy School Institute of Politics Internship Program provides substantive, career-oriented summer internships for you as undergraduate students interested in careers in politics, government, and public service.
When: The internship occurs for one academic semester May through August over a 12-week period!
The application is available in July and may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
To apply, contact Career Services at your university.
The chart below indicates the timeline for HARVARD. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
The McCain fellowship program is a one-year civilian fellowship program designed to provide you as an intern, the opportunity for leadership development and the commencement of a career track toward senior leadership in the IC Community. The purpose of the program is to acquire high performing and talented individuals with advanced degrees who will gain experience and develop their leadership capabilities through challenging opportunities and flourish into problem solvers, strategic thinkers and future leaders for our IC Community.
To find out more information about the John S. McCain Fellowship program, click here!
The chart below indicates the timeline for MCCAIN. Please note the timeline may vary based on the needs of the Agency.
Depending on your school’s requirements, academic credit may be earned. DIA will work with your institution to provide any necessary evaluation. Any written product provided to your institution must be cleared by your security officer.
An intern’s pay is only based on school credit hours; work experience is not taken into account when determining pay.
DIA offers internships in the following geographical locations:
- Huntsville, AL
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Washington, DC
- Tampa, FL
- Miami, FL
- Honolulu, HI
- Scott Air Force Base, IL
- Fort George G. Meade, MD
- Arlington, VA
- Charlottesville, VA
- Quantico, VA
- Reston, VA
Applications will only be accepted through the online application process here. Your resume, unofficial transcript, and cover letter should be attached to your online application. Finalists will be provided with instructions on submitting an official transcript. Applications will not be considered without all required documents. Please be sure to include your GPA on your submitted application. Letters of recommendation and writing samples are not required with the application.
DIA will ask you to complete pre-employment forms which include the SF-86 background questionnaire for a security clearance. When you return the pre-employment forms, we will request our vendor to schedule a drug screening test. You will not receive a final official offer letter until all required documentation has been received and a security clearance is approved.
* Please note: As marijuana is legalized in more states across the United States, the DIA remains a drug free workplace. Federal law and Executive branch policy prohibit the use of marijuana in any form, whether recreational or medicinal. Marijuana is categorized as a controlled substance under Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act. Intentional marijuana possession is illegal, even if an individual has no intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana. Federal law on marijuana use remains unchanged. Executive Order 12564, Drug-Free Federal Workplace, mandates that:
- (a) Federal employees are required to refrain from the use of illegal drugs;
- (b) the use of illegal drugs by Federal employees, whether on or off duty, is contrary to the efficiency of the service; and
- (c) Persons who use illegal drugs are not suitable for Federal employment.
It varies depending on your personal background and the volume of clearances being processed. In general, if you have significant foreign travel and/or foreign relatives or contacts, the clearance can be rather lengthy – up to 6 months or more to receive a full clearance. Students must be fully cleared before being able to begin work.
Individuals with dual citizenship can be granted clearances.
Yes. While the experience of living abroad is of value to DIA, it is impossible to complete the security background investigation and the necessary drug screening test when someone is overseas.
Intern assignments are based on entry-level professional job descriptions and will involve a great deal of independent work under the guidance of a senior level supervisor and mentor. For example, duties for intelligence analyst intern positions may involve research and drafting reports. Assignments are not clerical in nature. Particular occupational areas may include crisis management, counterintelligence, military economics, homeland security, imagery, information warfare, and arms control/proliferation.
The typical workday is 8.5 hours, which includes 30 minutes uncompensated for lunch. At the discretion of their managers, interns can opt to not take lunch and work only 8 hours with no lunch.
Full-time interns utilize a flexible work schedule and must complete 40 hours a week. With supervisor’s approval, interns can vary their arrival and departure time while still completing 8.5 hours a day. On the other hand, an intermittent work schedule is utilized by Academic semester interns where interns work a maximum amount of 29 hours a week.
When participating as a Summer Intern from June to August, Interns can participate in any of the available work schedules if their supervisor approves it. It’s encouraged that interns do Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) 2 while interning in the summer. (AWS 2-Gliding Work Schedule: Ten 8-hour workdays in a pay period that permits the employee to select arrival and departure times that vary from day to day.)
If you are interested in continuing your internship, please notify your supervisor.
If an intern has not completed school and lives within 50 miles radius from their duty station, they can request to participate in the Academic Semester Program (ASIP). Their leadership must have work for them to do while they attend school. These interns can participate in ASIP from September to May and then they get converted to Summer Interns again. Once an intern graduates from school, they are no longer able to participate in internship programs.
If you decide to leave the agency, please reach out to the Internship Program Branch at least two weeks before your departure day. Notify your leadership and CC the internship program. We need at least two weeks’ notice. You will also need to have your resume checked through prepublication to ensure you’ve had it properly classified.
Once you are entered into the Cleared Hiring Pool, there is no timetable for permanent employment. You will be in the Hiring Pool until a manager pulls you out and slots you for a permanent position. At that time, an email and/or phone call can be expected from OHR with more information as to the next steps to take.