Top secret: Harpur alum discusses career in government intelligence
Harpur alumnus Wesley Moy ’79 shared his experience working in government intelligence during an Oct. 7 Brunch & Learn Zoom event with Harpur Edge. As a college student, he never envisioned working for the Department of Homeland Security, he admitted.
“When you say ‘career path,’ it makes it sound like I had a plan,” said Moy. “Let’s remember: I had no plan. Things kind of happened along the way.”
He graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in political science and a specialization in international relations. During his long career, he amassed other degrees as well: a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University, a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University, a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a PhD in business administration from Northcentral University.
After leaving Binghamton, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army infantry and headed to South Korea, where he did patrols in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). Then he spent two decades working in Wall Street firms, became an attaché in Cambodia and worked as an intelligence officer for Homeland Security, retiring in 2019. Currently, he conducts research into how nation-states use disinformation against the United States.
Intelligence is deeply challenging work, he said, and government employees can face limits on their personal activities. A moral compass is a must.
“Don’t allow the situations that you are in to degrade what you are,” he advised. “Keep that intact because that will be yours, no matter where you are working.”
Students interested in government jobs should investigate opportunities through the Political Science Department, and should consider courses in quantitative methods, which will prove handy in the field. Harpur College’s liberal arts traditions can help students develop a breadth of interests for both professional and personal development, he pointed out.
Preparing for government careers
That said, students interested in intelligence careers don’t have to major in political science.
“A good government will bring together a number of different perspectives. If you’re working on communication and media studies, that’s really important,” he said. “You would recognize flaws in the logical or illogical presentation in ideas and that’s an important strength.”
Students should consider applying to internships, which can lead to permanent positions in the intelligence community.
“The internships that I sponsored for DHS intelligence, my intent was always to hire that intern. We got them a top-secret security clearance,” said Moy. “They worked for us even if it was one day a week, and in some cases we let them work remotely.”
Whether they opt for a career in government service or elsewhere, Moy encouraged Binghamton students to take on jobs where they can make a difference.
He recommended for students to take on challenges and encouraged them to take on jobs in the world where they may make a difference.
“Bad things happen in the world and you’ll see that as you take on greater challenges,” he said. “The fact that we’re sitting in this room having this conversation means that you are already thinking about ‘What can I do to make a difference?’ Make a difference in something that’s hard.”