Michael A. Jones

     I lead by example. I also have the soft skills to bring teams together to deliver faster, more productive, cohesive results. I solve problems. I am an engineer with extensive knowledge in communications technology and network infrastructure. I hold an A.A.S. in Engineering Technology and a B.S.I.S. in Information Science with a concentration in Intelligence Analysis. I hold certifications in Cisco Unified Communications Management, Leadership Development Courses, and several more, available upon request. Returning to college, I have expanded that technical experience into information and intelligence analysis.

     I am insatiably curious by nature. My interests include open-source intelligence analysis and, when I’m not otherwise bound to my desk, watching football or baseball games, building and fixing things, mountain biking, hiking, salt and freshwater fishing, cooking, and occasionally just relaxing.

     My Bachelor of Science in Information Science coursework has combined information science, technology, intelligence analysis, international relations, and professional communication. Through the program, I have studied how information is collected, evaluated, analyzed, communicated, and used to support decision-making.

     My concentration in intelligence-focused coursework introduced the structure and responsibilities of the U.S. Intelligence Community, the intelligence cycle, intelligence collection disciplines, and the analysts' role in supporting national security decision-making. Critical Thinking for Intelligence Analysis expanded on these concepts by studying structured reasoning, sensemaking, cognitive bias, human judgment, uncertainty, and analytic decision-making. Open-Source Intelligence Analysis provided practical experience developing intelligence requirements, planning collection, evaluating sources, collecting publicly available information, and integrating evidence into analytical products. This was easily one of the most interesting courses and will be fundamental to my future career.

     My international relations and history coursework provided additional context for understanding national security and international events. Topics included theories like realism, liberalism, and constructivism; state behavior; conflict and cooperation; deterrence; the security dilemma; U.S. foreign policy; and early-warning indicators of emerging conflict. American history coursework also examined the United States' development through the modern era, including two world wars, the Cold War, and the United States' growth as an international power.

     The Information Science portion of my degree addressed the creation, organization, use, security, and communication of information. Coursework included information-seeking behavior, information policy and ethics, cybersecurity and privacy issues, computer hardware and software, networking, and emerging technologies. Networks and Communications solidified my understanding of familiar concepts such as the OSI model, LAN and WAN technologies, routing and switching, network protocols, wireless networking, network security, and modern communications infrastructure.

     Additional coursework developed practical skills in data science, technical communication, and emerging information-gathering technologies using tools such as R and RStudio. My coursework in unmanned aerial systems examined UAV capabilities, operations, regulations, and information-gathering applications in a rapidly developing technology.

     Together with my associate in applied science degree in Computer Engineering Technology with a concentration in Networking, these courses have given me a foundation that combines technical knowledge with critical thinking, source evaluation, intelligence analysis, and the ability to communicate findings to decision-makers.

     My career has crossed multiple generations of complex networks and communications technologies. I have spent years developing my understanding of dependencies, troubleshooting failures, and most importantly, keeping critical systems running in high-stakes environments. My background includes the U.S. Army Signal Corps, where I learned central office connectivity methods, R/F, VHF, and UHF technologies, encryption methods and procedures, satellite communication practices, and much more. After my time in the service, I expanded those skills at a network installation company, installing fiber optic and copper media and building large commercial networks from the ground up. From there, I used my communications systems experience as a Telecommunications Analyst in a large healthcare facility. For a decade and a half, I operated and maintained all landline communications systems, managed a sprawling wireless network, all cellular and microwave technologies, and personally resolved more than 10,000 problem tickets. After that, I installed commercial network and communications equipment for the largest ISP carriers in the U.S., upgrading those technologies and their power systems to the latest models, improving capability and speed, and enhancing resilience to failure.

     The Information Security Analyst occupation is projected to grow by 29 percent between 2024 and 2034, and the median wage for computer and Information technology majors is approximately $100,000 (BLS, 2025).

Most Intelligence Analyst roles require at least a bachelor's degree, strong analytical writing skills, some coding experience in R, SQL, and/or Python, and a security clearance. According to the McAfee Institute, salaries range from around $70,000 for entry-level roles to $300,000+ at top private-sector firms like OpenAI (Buccat, 2026).

Some of the most in-demand soft skills employers are looking for in 2026 are:

1. Communication – explaining ideas clearly in speech and writing

2. Teamwork and collaboration – delivering with people you did not choose

3. Problem-solving – making progress with incomplete information

4. Adaptability – changing your approach without losing momentum

5. Critical and analytical thinking – questioning assumptions before acting

      (FusionSkills, 2026).

            My career goals include positions that impact others and, by their nature, make our nation safer. I am currently exploring positions as an open-source intelligence analyst, SIGINT analyst, or other national security roles that combine my deep understanding of networks and communications systems with my analytical training.