Securing the Nation, Yourself, and the Bag: A Career in National Security & Entrepreneurship
In this particular segment, Imann shares how he was able to use his knowledge and skills to become an intel analyst.
By Norrell Edwards — September 18, 2023
This interview builds from a series where I have talked with friends about their career trajectories. Interviews generally cover an overview of the individual's current position, their reflections on how their college experiences prepared them (or didn't!) for their current position and other career related advice. In this particular segment, Imann shares how he was able to use his knowledge and skills to become an intel analyst. I hope Imann insight proves helpful for students out there interested in national security, defense, and entrepreneurship.
Imann has two positions currently: one as a contractor for the government as an Intel analyst, and another as CEO of his own contracting company Fletcher-Moore LLC. Imann has a degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Towson University in Maryland. Please remember this interview is a reflection of solely Imann Fletcher's opinions and insights; this interview does not reflect the thoughts, feelings, opinions of any past, present or future client, employer or any other entity affiliated with Imann Fletcher.
From Social Worker to Intelligence Analyst
Dr. Norrell Edwards:
How, if at all, did your studies influence your current work?Imann Fletcher:
I studied Sociology, which is the study of the development structure and functioning of human society That requires a lot of empirical analysis across quantitative and qualitative data. The degree in itself is very different from what I do now. The skills that I learned getting the degree — such as conducting research, interpreting data, finding data sources, comparing sources, interviewing people, and putting data together — all helped with my work as an analyst now. I use those same skills in my role; those skills helped me tremendously with my career development.N:
Tell us about your trajectory.I:
I graduated in 2015 and the first job I took was as a social worker. It took me a year to get that job. I started applying for jobs right out of college and it took a year. The role I finally landed was as a psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner. It was good, but social work is not the highest paying profession. Depending on where you live, you're going to need a few roommates. Because of that, I started to look for other opportunities. I always harbored this interest in the military because I knew they would pay for further education — if I wanted to go back.I:
I joined the military as a mechanic. The military units can be very diverse spaces; your unit does not have people from the same job. So, the unit provides a great networking opportunity. Even though I was a mechanic, I was attached to a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear unit; there I met chemists, intel professionals, and data scientists. That was my first introduction to the world of national security—just being in that unit and immersed in that environment changed my trajectory and world view.Looking for New Opportunities
N:
It's amazing how one decision or seemingly arbitrary experience can set you down a path you never expected.I:
Yea, in fact it was someone from my unit who said to me "Hey, I know you're looking for new opportunities, why don't you apply for this position at the State Department?" That position enabled me to get a clearance that led me to further high-profile jobs. One day, I heard from a recruiter who asked me if I was interested in an opportunity to support the Pentagon as an intel analyst. I was frank with him; I didn't have much national security or intel experience. He said, "We'll teach you. We just need the clearance you already have."I:
I started doing that back in 2019, and I've been an Intel analyst ever since. Intel is a huge field; it's been great. I didn't know I was going to end up here, but I kept trying new things. Through trying new things, you meet new people and figure out what you like.N:
Are you technically still part of the military?I:
Yes, I'm in the reserves. In the reserves you report once a month and two weeks out of the year. I've been in the reserves since 2016. I have my full-time job, and then reserve a part-time job as well.N:
I feel like, more often you hear about people going to the military straight out of high school because they don't want or can't afford to go to college. They feel as though the military is their only option for upward mobility. It's interesting that you actually went to college first, had a job and then decided to go to the military after that. It is good for people to know the military can still be an option as a later decision.Major Takeaways
Imann was able to use the research skills he developed in college to pivot towards a career as an intelligence analyst. Although the topics are different, the skills are the same. This opportunity for a career switch was facilitated through his time in the military and exposure to this new field he had otherwise never considered. Be open to trying new things and meeting new people to better develop a sense of your interests and passions.
Norrell Edwards
Norrell Edwards is a scholar, educator, and communications consultant for non-profit organizations. Her employment experience and research interests place her work at the nexus of global Black identity, cultural memory, and social justice. Norrell graduated with a BA in English Literature from Hunter’s College followed by a PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park in 20th and 21st Century Black Diaspora Literature.
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