Fulcrum Global

SDSS Professional Development Program Application – 2023

SDSS Professional Development Program (PDP) – Description

The SDSS Professional Development Program (PDP) focuses on essential skills that will prepare analysts to work in a professional environment using structured analytic techniques. It can aid those seeking a career in the national security, defense, intelligence, and foreign affairs communities as well as in the private sector.

            • The current programming for this initiative will be expected to launch later next month (July 2023) after the July 16 application deadline.
            • Attendance will be mandatory for members that are interested.

The Program will consist of the following:

  1. Resources and training in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT); and
  2. A review of the concepts from the book/manual, “Structured Analytic Techniques for Intelligence Analysis” by Richards J. Heuer Jr. and Randolph H. Pherson.
    • This book is often considered by intelligence professionals to be an essential partof an analyst’s library.
    • From the book description:
      • “Richards J. Heuer Jr. and Randolph H. Pherson turn a lifetime of expertise toward formalizing, adapting, and standardizing a set of 50 of the most robust analytic techniques in use in intelligence analysis today. This ready reference showcases current and cutting-edge best practices and represents a significant leap forward in depth, detail, and utility from existing handbooks.”
      • “Logically organized and richly illustrated, Structured Analytic Techniques makes it easy to navigate, reference, and put the tools to use right away. Each technique is clearly and systematically explained: when to use, value added, the method, potential pitfalls, examples of how it can be used, its relationship to other techniques, and its origins.”

The SDSS Professional Development Program (PDP) will consist of lessons composed of topics such as the Intelligence Analysis cycle. We will draw upon case studies and in the future connect with professionals and academics as mentors. In the future, there will be technical training in software applications and preparation in being able to write according to the standards and formats used by various government agencies and in the private sector.

Everyone in attendance is expected to be able to attend weekly and will be given assignments in which they must complete, in order to assess their progress and assimilation of the lessons taught. Lessons and lectures will be conducted using zoom, and interaction between students and the Professional Development Officer(Nabil Rahman) is expected. Members who are able to excel in their assignments and provide high quality content may be qualified to have their work published by the SDSS and have it featured on the Fulcrum Global website.

This will be the first time that SDSS implements this Professional Development Program (PDP) and we look forward to making this a valuable legacy asset for SDSS. In addition, we look forward to working with participants as well as helping them prepare for achieving their professional goals and aspirations.

Society for Defense and Strategic Studies (SDSS)

Professional Development Program (PDP) Application

Registration is now open for the Professional Development Program (PDP). Once you are registered you are expected to attend all sessions of the Professional Development Program (PDP.

The Application window will close on July 16, 2023 at 11:59pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted as a follow up. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Please contact the SDSS Professional Development Officer (PDO), Nabil Rahman at SDSS.ProfessionalDevelopment@gmail.com with any questions with the subject line titled Professional Development and your name.