Pardee Works: Careers in Intelligence and Defense

Noah Riley and John Woodward

To kick off the semester, Pardee Career Services hosted Pardee Works: Careers in Intelligence and Defense on September 19,  featuring an engaging panel of experts. The event brought together Professor John Woodward, a former CIA officer, alum Noah Riley from the Department of State, and another accomplished alum from the Department of Justice. The conversation was skillfully moderated by Micheal Tozeski, a Pardee graduate student who interned with the Department of Defense over the summer.

The panelists not only shared captivating career stories from their experiences working overseas and debunked common myths about intelligence work, but they also provided valuable advice for students exploring opportunities in these fields. Noah emphasized the importance of developing a clear focus, whether regional or topical, while our FBI alum, a senior agent, highlighted how instrumental her summer internship experience was in shaping her career.

The event attracted over 50 students, including Jack Whitten, a first-year graduate student in International Relations, who noted, “It was really interesting to see the breadth of experience and career opportunities out there, and I’m now more motivated to apply the panelists’ advice and pursue a career in intelligence myself.”

Sarah Benhalima, a second-year graduate student, said, “The event offered dual perspectives—from early-career professionals to seasoned experts. I learned not only how to get started in the field right out of grad school but also the steps and approaches to advancing throughout one’s career over time.”

Overall, the event provided students with practical insights and inspiration to explore careers in intelligence and defense. The event concluded with lively and engaging conversations among students, alumni, and faculty, fostering valuable connections and deeper discussions on careers in intelligence and defense.