People and Culture

Take a peek inside the CIA. Discover who we are, learn a little about what we do, and explore some quirky stories that don’t quite fit anywhere else.

The Spymaster's Assistant

Traveling westward during the Great Depression, through the winding Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the high rugged deserts of Arizona, a young Fisher Howe had an inkling he’d someday work in foreign lands.

What Fisher didn’t know was that his journey would last 100 years, and during his lifetime he’d not only contribute to the foundations of today’s diplomatic services, but he would also personally witness the formation of America’s first spy agency, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

Featured Stories

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The Women Who Lived at CIA

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Eero Saarinen: A Place in Architectural History

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The Indomitable Maria Gulovich

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Featured Jobs

Our Agency’s hiring needs are as dynamic as the ever-changing intelligence landscape.

Browse All Jobs

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About People and Culture

In this section, you’ll discover stories about the women and men who helped create America’s first spy agency, the Office of Strategic Services, as well as some surprising characters from CIA’s past. You’ll also learn about our Agency today, its culture, and some of the quirkier stories that don’t quite fit anywhere else. You may even encounter a spy dog or two!

Dig around our story archive – you never know what obscure little tales you’ll discover.