National Security
UChicago provides outstanding preparation for careers in national security and cybersecurity. Each year, students secure opportunities with leading organizations across government, defense, technology, and intelligence, including Palantir, the CIA, the FBI, the Department of Defense, and other public‑ and private‑sector partners.
Employers in this space consistently value UChicago students’ critical thinking, research capacity, technical rigor, and ability to analyze complex systems and ambiguous problems, all skills that are essential for work in security, intelligence, and cyber‑focused roles.
Image: UChicago students on a career trek to Washington, DC.
National Security Career Pathways
Build and deploy advanced software, data platforms, and analytical tools used by governments and enterprises to support defense, security, and intelligence missions
Entry‑level roles focus on software engineering, data analysis, product, and technical research, often working on mission‑critical systems
Entry‑level roles: Software Engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer, Data Analyst, Product Analyst
Employers include: Palantir, Shield Capital, Anduril, SpaceX
Internship Recruiting Timeline:
Recruiting varies significantly by firm but generally takes place 6-12 months before the internship happens.
Third-year summer recruiting can begin as early as second-year fall, and that is a great pathway to full‑time roles; technical interviews and project experience are heavily emphasized
Full-Time Recruiting Timeline: Similar to internships, recruiting primarily takes place 6-12 months ahead of graduation, but there are many “just in time” opportunities that recruit the spring before graduation.
Support government and military clients by delivering technical solutions, systems integration, analysis, cybersecurity, and operational support across national security missions
Provide advisory services (e.g., consulting work) to government agencies or the private sector focused on national security, cyber defense, etc.
Entry‑level roles focus on program support, engineering, analytics, cybersecurity, and consulting‑style project execution aligned to specific government contracts
Employers include: Booz Allen Hamilton, BCG, Vannevar
Entry‑level roles: Program Analyst, Systems Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Operations Analyst
Internship Recruiting Timeline:
Consulting firms follow an early recruiting process that kicks off 12-15 months in advance of the internship, so second-year spring would be the start of third-year summer recruiting, which can often lead to full-time return offers.
Smaller firms have later timelines that can be closer to 6-12 months in advance generally.
Full‑Time Recruiting Timeline:
Full‑time hiring for consulting follows a similar timeline to internship recruiting where it takes starts third-year spring and continues through fourth-year winter.
Contracting recruiting occurs year‑round based on contract needs, with roles opening anywhere from several months to just weeks before start dates.
Conduct research, analysis, and technical work to support national security, intelligence collection, cyber operations, and law enforcement efforts
Entry‑level roles emphasize analytical writing, research, data analysis, technical skills, and mission‑driven problem solving within highly structured organizations
Entry‑level roles: Intelligence Analyst, Research Analyst, Cyber Analyst, Special Agent (post‑graduation)
Employers include: FBI, NSA, DHS, CIA
Internship Recruiting Timeline:
Internship recruiting often opens well in advance—typically 9–12 months before start dates—and may include multiple stages due to background checks and security clearance requirements
Full‑Time Recruiting Timeline:
Full‑time recruiting timelines are long and variable, frequently extending from third‑year through fourth‑year and beyond graduation due to clearance processes; offers may be contingent on successful completion of background investigations
UChicago-Exclusive Opportunities
Date: September 23 – September 25
Location: Washington D.C.
Open to All Students
Through a mix of workshops, interactive sessions, and networking with professionals, students will gain practical skills, industry insight, and connections to confidently pursue internships and full‑time roles in cybersecurity in both public and private capacities.
Learn more and apply here!
Open to All Students
This is a one-year long, cohort program designed to prepare students for careers in the public and private sectors focused on cybersecurity, defense technology, intelligence, and other technical roles supporting national security.
Fall Quarter | Core Curriculum
Public vs. Private Sector
Types of National Security
Role of Emerging Technologies (e.g., AI)
Winter Quarter | Track-Specific Technical Training (students must opt into a single track)
Computer Science | Designed for students with stronger technical skills to pipeline into cybersecurity, software engineering, and other technical roles
Analytics and Intelligence | Designed for students from all backgrounds with a focus on data analysis, briefing generation, etc. for consulting, intelligence analysis, and other generalist roles
Spring Quarter | Simulations (both tracks)
Students from both tracks will come together in teams to address national security scenarios so students are able to leverage technical skills for coding and soft skills for brief generation and analysis
Resources
Sign up for the Careers in National Security newsletter for regular updates on upcoming events, internships, and more!
Download the National Security Industry Guide for information on UChicago resources that can help you reach your goals!
William Moller (Class of 2027) is an incoming intern at Palantir Technologies and would be happy to speak with you about the industry and share his experience! You can reach out to him at wmoller@uchicago.edu.
For more information about Careers in National Security, please contact Fatima Chughtai at fchughtai@uchicago.edu.