UNH Today

Patrick Embury started his UNH education in homeland security, which incorporates various topics including emergency management, intelligence studies, law, and cybersecurity. The vast range of coursework allows students to find one of these subjects that is of great interest and further pursue them in a graduate program. In Embury's case, he found his niche in intelligence studies. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in homeland security, he applied to the National Security Intelligence Analysis (NSIA) graduate program at the UNH Graduate School.

“There are many things I like about the program, but what I like the most is the instructors and the experience they bring,” Embury says. “One of the instructors was an intelligence officer in the US Army and another was an analyst for the National Counterterrorism Center and the Central Intelligence Agency. They are top notch instructors that provide me not only a quality education, but they also advise me on what to expect working in the Intelligence Community and what the hiring process is like.”

Embury has had many opportunities arise as a result of his graduate studies. Since February 2022, he has been assisting a professor within the NSIA program with researching intelligence agencies from all over the world, determining which intelligence functions they carry out and categorizing them on a multitude of other variables. The professor he is working beside is in the process of establishing a worldwide database on intelligence agencies. Embury was also able to participate in the American Political Science Association’s annual conference in Montreal, Canada.

“I read over four academic papers and presentations about intelligence collection in a post-pandemic world and I was able to question each of the authors on their work in front of a live audience," Embury says. "Not only did this help with my fear of public speaking, but I networked with other professionals in my field.”

After he finishes his graduate degree, Embury hopes to work for a federal intelligence agency. On the top of his list are the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees could potentially open the door for future employment with think tanks focusing on intelligence studies and international conflict, along with nonprofits focusing on humanitarian missions in warring nations.

“My education has prepared me for my potential career by exposing me to real world case studies of intelligence as well as teaching me analytical techniques about how to properly write and present intelligence reports. In five years, I hope to either begin my Ph.D. or be working as an intelligence analyst.”