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I'mma be really pissed if I missed an important letter from State because somehow my mailbox had a thing in it saying "VACANT" and I haven't gotten any mail since Friday.
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Jul 29, 2010 02:42
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Well, I just found out I didn't make the cut for Arabic. Better luck next time, I guess. If I make it past the OA's, I'll get to retest. Shame, I could have used that .5 point bump to get me past the QEPs.
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Jul 29, 2010 11:09
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Vilerat posted:The omnibus skill code conversion program is a success. I'm now an IMS from IMTS. Nice, man, congrats. I look up to FSOs, man, they get up to some AWESOME poo poo. I hope to God you enjoy being an officer as much as I enjoyed being a specialist's kid.
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Jul 30, 2010 00:23
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KimJongSick posted:Nice, man, congrats. I look up to FSOs, man, they get up to some AWESOME poo poo. I hope to God you enjoy being an officer as much as I enjoyed being a specialist's kid. Hehe it's a lateral specialist to specialist move. The IT path goes all the way to senior foreign service and I kinda like getting overtime if I work overtime which I wouldn't get as a generalist.
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Jul 30, 2010 03:52
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SWATJester posted:Since we're all doing updates...taking the bar today and tomorrow, still in final suitability review. Le sigh. Congratulations for finishing up the bar; I'm sure you know more than the people that are going to be grading it. For which state did you sit? Did your prospective employment with the Foreign Service guide your decisions making process when you selected a state? I am taking the bar in February.
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Jul 30, 2010 11:00
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Amjur posted:Congratulations for finishing up the bar; I'm sure you know more than the people that are going to be grading it. For which state did you sit? Did your prospective employment with the Foreign Service guide your decisions making process when you selected a state? I am taking the bar in February. Maryland. Foreign Service had nothing to do with it. I wanted the ability to practice in DC, so Maryland lets me waive in automatically, and into Virginia after 3 years (in contrast, Virginia would not let me waive into Maryland). So, I get 3 states for the price of 1. I'll probably take Washington State in February, or next July, under their version that lets me motion into a shorter exam. Also, though I intended Maryland and Washington since 1L year, it helps that Maryland and Washington are the only two states that don't require the MPRE. I never took the MPRE, though I might later this year. The Foreign Service only helped though, by keeping me sane knowing that if I didn't pass the bar, I wasn't screwed, that I'd still have employment options.
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Jul 30, 2010 22:48
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Speaking of that, just to promote discussion: SWATJester- what was your legal field in? IP, or was it criv/crim? I don't recall if you've ever disclosed that in discussion.
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Jul 31, 2010 07:34
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Skandiaavity posted:Speaking of that, just to promote discussion: SWATJester- what was your legal field in? IP, or was it criv/crim? I don't recall if you've ever disclosed that in discussion. IP, heavily so, with a specific focus on software licensing. I did a year of practice in our IP Clinic, which was ranked #2 in the nation, and I was mentored very heavily by a founding member of Creative Commons. I actually did horrible in Crim in law school, but in all of my bar study, I did great in it. I guess I only just now "got it". I've always wanted to be a prosecutor. Maybe an alternative career choice I guess.
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Jul 31, 2010 07:41
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IP? Well, at least you're getting into a hot field! Software licensing is probably a good start as well, you should check out Heller Ehrman if you haven't already. I hear they're a great start for that line. (edit: if your FSOT post doesn't work out, I mean)
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Jul 31, 2010 07:49
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Skandiaavity posted:IP? Well, at least you're getting into a hot field! Software licensing is probably a good start as well, you should check out Heller Ehrman if you haven't already. I hear they're a great start for that line. (edit: if your FSOT post doesn't work out, I mean) Heller Ehrman isn't really hiring people like me. I have friends who went there and weren't impressed though. They're just like any other lower-tier biglaw firm.
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Jul 31, 2010 08:29
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People like you? don't sell yourself short, kid!  You're doing well so far!
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Aug 2, 2010 20:57
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Week 1 of orientation is done ... a fun and busy week. Recieved possible assignments ... now its time to turn in my preferences and see where DOS wants us
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Aug 7, 2010 21:03
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Skandiaavity posted:People like you? don't sell yourself short, kid! Heh, I mean people with my GPA/Class Ranking. It's a very formulaic set of rules on how firms like that hire. In other news, I'm STILL in final suitability review. It's getting irritating now.
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Aug 7, 2010 21:06
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Slingshot Smith posted:Week 1 of orientation is done ... a fun and busy week. Recieved possible assignments ... now its time to turn in my preferences and see where DOS wants us Would you be willing to say whether or not there's any Eastern European capitals that star with K and end in V on there?
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Aug 8, 2010 00:47
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AKA Pseudonym posted:Would you be willing to say whether or not there's any Eastern European capitals that star with K and end in V on there? Sorry  ... as in no post that meets your description
Slingshot Smith fucked around with this message at 04:13 on Aug 8, 2010 |
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Aug 8, 2010 04:11
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Slingshot Smith posted:Week 1 of orientation is done ... a fun and busy week. Recieved possible assignments ... now its time to turn in my preferences and see where DOS wants us A100 or specialist orientation? In other news, I'm going to go participate as an election observer in the Presidential Elections tomorrow.
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Aug 8, 2010 09:18
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TCD posted:A100 or specialist orientation? Specialist ... IMS
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Aug 8, 2010 16:24
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Well guys, I just sent in my registration for this October's FSOT. Hopefully, I'll make it to the OA this time! Time to start studying again...
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Aug 11, 2010 20:21
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CherryCola posted:Well guys, I just sent in my registration for this October's FSOT. Hopefully, I'll make it to the OA this time! Time to start studying again... Does anyone know if it's possible to change your test location before the test? Not sure if I'll be in the country or not by then.
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Aug 11, 2010 21:22
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Should be. Make sure you give them enough lead time.
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Aug 11, 2010 23:35
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Good luck, CherryCola and Pompous Rhombus! Perseverance is key in any endeavor, and it's impressive how fast you're getting back on the horse.
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Aug 12, 2010 04:03
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GreySkies posted:Good luck, CherryCola and Pompous Rhombus! Perseverance is key in any endeavor, and it's impressive how fast you're getting back on the horse. Thanks! I'm going to be one of those people who will keep applying until they hire me or I turn 62 or die.
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Aug 12, 2010 04:50
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CherryCola posted:Thanks! I'm going to be one of those people who will keep applying until they hire me or I turn 62 or die. It's worth it. It's totally worth it.
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Aug 12, 2010 05:24
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After reading through this thread, being an FSO sounds like a dream come true. But after reading through the OP a few times, I have a couple of questions. 1. Because of the international focus of many FSO positions, I was considering majoring in international studies and studying abroad. Would this be an advisable major? I realize that no one background is perfect, but this seems enjoyable and applicable to an FSO's work. I'm going into my second year of college, so there's a lot of time left for me to make alterations. 2. Foreign Languages. I'm not particularly interested in learning a need language like Chinese, Arabic, or Hindi, since they appear to be far more difficult than I can handle. I was considering learning German, and perhaps Spanish or French. Two languages sounds cumbersome, but makes me much more versatile. 3. What exactly do you mean when you refer to "State"? quote:If State has one real strength from a training perspective, language instruction is it. My comments pertain to generalists, since I am not up-to-speed on opportunities for specialists. I may have missed something, but I see no references to "state" earlier in the op. What exactly is it?
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Aug 12, 2010 21:58
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1. Any major is fine. If you think you will enjoy living overseas, a semester abroad is probably a nice opportunity. Take advantage of your undergrad days to study something you find interesting and/or employable. 2. Pick a language that interests you, and make a real effort to get good at it. The harder ones you mentioned are popular choices because the U.S. Government really needs speakers, and the State Department gives a very large bump in hiring for them. 3. The United States Department of State. Most FSOs work for State.
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Aug 12, 2010 22:20
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^^^ Thanks a ton. This makes me wonder, if an FSO isn't working for the department of state, who are they working for?
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Aug 12, 2010 23:13
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Also, Hindi is hella easy. There are like 4-6 consonants that are difficult for english speakers, but the writing is way more logical than English and the grammar isn't too bad either.
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Aug 12, 2010 23:24
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UnoriginalMind posted:Thanks a ton. This makes me wonder, if an FSO isn't working for the department of state, who are they working for? USAID, Department of Commerce (Foreign Commercial Service), Department of Agriculture (Foreign Agricultural Service) and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (International Broadcasting Bureau) all have FSOs on staff. Though general use equates FSOs with the State Department, any career officer in the Foreign Service Personnel System is an FSO.
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Aug 13, 2010 07:25
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Just completed the online registration! I agonized for two days about which cone best suited me, waffling between any of the choices except Econ. Finally decided that though it may be tougher to get into, Public Diplomacy is really the best choice for me. Any other Bay Area goons interested in meeting up to study for the October test?
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Aug 14, 2010 18:12
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This popped up in my email over the weekend; State is going to start accepting applications for DS Agents tomorrow.quote:DS Special Agent Application Period Opening Soon
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Aug 16, 2010 00:54
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Homie S posted:This popped up in my email over the weekend; State is going to start accepting applications for DS Agents tomorrow. I've really got to get signed up for all of those lists. Thanks for posting!
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Aug 16, 2010 01:03
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UnoriginalMind posted:After reading through this thread, being an FSO sounds like a dream come true. But after reading through the OP a few times, I have a couple of questions. No one else has said this yet to you specifically, but I'd major in and work towards whatever career you would enjoy that isn't the FS. As someone who has a PSci BA with a focus in IR and comparative politics (IR = interactions between governments, CP = differences between gov systems), it's not easy to find a non-government job related to this stuff and the FS is highly competitive. I wouldn't bank on getting in. To put it another way: "Forget" about state and do whatever you like. Work towards being an FSO. Study and read the thread. Meet up with former FSOs in your area (many colleges have local "recruiters") and you should definitely get overseas as much as possible.
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Aug 16, 2010 04:43
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Homie S posted:This popped up in my email over the weekend; State is going to start accepting applications for DS Agents tomorrow. quote:Congratulations, you have just successfully completed the SA-10-01 Online Assessment process. Is that what everyone gets upon completion or did it score the multiple choice portion which means I've at least passed some sort of minimum score? Kase Im Licht fucked around with this message at 04:59 on Aug 17, 2010 |
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Aug 17, 2010 04:27
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Man, I'm so looking forward to R&R I can almost taste it. The seven-day workweeks are starting to really get old. . . . Still a few weeks away. . . . 
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Aug 22, 2010 19:15
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Business of Ferrets posted:Man, I'm so looking forward to R&R I can almost taste it. The seven-day workweeks are starting to really get old. . . . Are you getting overtime or comp time?
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Aug 22, 2010 20:04
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Homie S posted:Are you getting overtime or comp time? No, but tenured officers do get a 20% bump here for the long hours. I don't mind my job, just wish I could decompress a bit more.
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Aug 22, 2010 20:21
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I'm registered to, erm, register for the October FSOT written test. I've got BAs in Journalism and Japanese, and I'm finishing up a master's degree in international management (re: MBA but with extra focuses on east Asian business, politics, culture, and language), and have been reading about, asking questions about, and thinking about the FS for a little while. I've applied for Public Diplomacy, because it suits my background the best. Like somebody else just mentioned, I think if I don't get through the OAs all the way "in" on the first try I'll give it a couple more shots because the job and lifestyle are what I really think I want right now.
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Aug 22, 2010 22:24
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Lots of FSOs took the test more than once. I would say it is more the rule than the exception to do so. If you keep the FS as your "plan B," you can keep working at it until you are successful without sacrificing a non-FS career. So, take the test, but cast a wide net, too, in case it take an extra try or two.
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Aug 22, 2010 22:29
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Business of Ferrets posted:Lots of FSOs took the test more than once. I would say it is more the rule than the exception to do so. that's definitely my plan, especially if I get to the final hurdle and don't get in. That's like a 2+ year process to get to OAs and not get in, and then try again, I think...
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Aug 22, 2010 22:38
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edit: woops wrong government thread
Hot Dog Day #82 fucked around with this message at 21:13 on Aug 23, 2010 |
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Aug 23, 2010 21:03
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