If you want to get a sense of what working in intelligence is actually like, pick a significant event like, say, an EPIC wildfire barreling down towards a populated area.

Simultaneously watch the TV news with captions on, have the radio news in the background.....

.....read official statements from gov& #39;t on their homepage, monitor social media and claims made therein, and listen to the emergency services scanner, all at the same time.

Now make sense of it all.

To someone who knows NOTHING about wildfires.

You have one hour (to get it drafted, approved by your boss, approved by her boss, and QC& #39;d by the editors) and your answer has to fit on half a sheet of paper, TNR, 12pt.

Also, you have to stick around to answer any follow-ups the old man might have. They& #39;ll call. No, we don& #39;t know when he& #39;ll wrap up for the day. Why, did you have plans?