Future cyberwarriors gathered in the CAVEA theatre at Metropolitan State University of Denver last week to hear career advice from a high-ranking official of the National Security Agency, one of the world’s top employers of cybersecurity experts.
Jenna M. Seidel, director of NSA/Central Security Service Colorado (NSAC), joined President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., for the University’s Fall Fireside Chat. The two leaders discussed the importance of public-service careers and the wealth of opportunities available at the NSA.
“The thing that is pretty compelling about what we do is the mission — the opportunity to serve the nation and to understand the outcome of what you do and being able to see that day to day,” Seidel told students, a number of whom are enrolled in MSU Denver’s Cybersecurity program.
Watch the full Oct. 3 Fireside Chat with Jenna M. Seidel and President Janine Davidson.
NSAC is just outside Denver at Buckley Space Force Base and is one of the NSA’s four cryptologic centers. The agency collaborates with the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency-Denver to deliver integrated intelligence to defense, intelligence and civil agencies supporting the U.S. government and its allies.
During the discussion with Davidson, Seidel offered insights into leading a workforce tasked with producing intelligence essential to national security. The agency is known as the home of the world’s greatest codemakers and codebreakers. But Seidel emphasized that the agency also needs well-rounded employees with liberal-arts backgrounds to combat and eliminate threats to U.S. security systems.
“The liberal-arts piece is absolutely critical: international affairs, education, language and history,” said Seidel. “In understanding Russia today, being able to look back at the Cold War, at the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, all of those things create the Russia of today. We need folks everywhere to be part of the greater ecosystem.”
For those curious about a career with the NSA, Seidel recommended visiting USAJobs.gov and checking out the NSA’s podcast, “No Such Podcast.”
