Tell us a little bit about yourself and your plans for college.

There was always the expectation that after I finished high school, I would go off to college. Yet, my first semester on campus was both thrilling and frightening. I was so excited to start learning more about my desired career field, Intelligence and National Security. On the other hand, I was completely on my own, away from my family and support network for months at a time. It was a terrifying mix of freedom and possibility.
Lucky for me, my first semester at Mercyhurst University went as well as I could’ve hoped for. I made new friends and joined the marching band.
My introductory classes taught me exactly what Intelligence was by clearly defining and explaining its long history in the United States and around the world. It revealed the vast opportunities that await me as an Intelligence Analyst, which is the most common position graduates pursue.
I was assigned a mentor, a senior earning the same degree. My mentor introduced me to the Center for Intelligence, Research and Analysis Training (CIRAT). The CIRAT Lab on campus gives students the opportunity to work with industry partners on real Intelligence issues and present usable reports. I was immediately intrigued and with the help of my mentor, joined the CIRAT project he was leading.
From that moment on, I knew I was in the right place. My first semester of college was full of new experiences and spectacular opportunities. I am no longer afraid of what the future might hold. I am ready to embrace the next three years and learn as much as I can to prepare for my career in National Security.

Jack from New York
College Freshman
Mercyhurst University