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Lemon Scissors posted:This is a phenomenal thread that has been a big help to me as I contemplate giving the FS a shot, thanks to everyone! If you want to travel even more often than just as a FSO, a courier position might be best for you.
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Jan 7, 2011 19:13
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SWATJester posted:If you want to travel even more often than just as a FSO, a courier position might be best for you. First, congrats on accepting your offer! Second... I'm not sure that I'd be interested in a courier position. That might be a tad too much travel. Honestly, I know I'd enjoy a career as an FSO even if it didn't involve any work-related travel outside of the country I was stationed in, but I was just curious if there were some jobs that were a bit more 'at-large'. I would assume these would be based in DC, but would they tend to be Civil Service or FSO positions? edit: typos Lemon Scissors fucked around with this message at 19:54 on Jan 7, 2011 |
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Jan 7, 2011 19:46
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I think maybe some of the more active specialist positions might fit then. I couldn't speak as to the activity level of FSO positions, as I really don't know and I imagine it varies by cone. I do know, for example, some of the Iraq/Afghanistan positions involve extensive travel across country by helicopter and cargo plane. That might not be far enough for what you're looking for though. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I just don't know.
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Jan 7, 2011 19:58
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I am taking the exam for Foreign Service in February. I was surprised that I had to go to another country just to take the exam but it is just a train ride away. I am trying for the Public Diplomacy track. I am nervous and not sure how I'll work this out being married with a young child but it has been a dream of mine for a while. I ordered a study guide so I'll be hitting the bricks for the next month.
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Jan 7, 2011 20:01
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Lemon Scissors posted:First, congrats on accepting your offer! A few jobs I can think of for FSOs include:
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Jan 7, 2011 20:31
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So, I'm pretty sure this is my dream career. I'm a sophomore/junior right now, trying to plan what to do next. Is it possible to get a job in Foreign Service with just a B.A. (major in IR, will be fluent in Chinese upon graduation)? I understand the hiring process takes a while, so could I take the FSOT during my Senior or even Junior year? How much does having an M.A. help? I'm really interested in an M.A. in International Relations/Affairs, but most programs recommend a few years of job experience. It seems like most jobs with the DoS/government in general expect an MA though. Kind of a Catch-22 situation. What kinds of entry level jobs are there? edit: http://www.usaid.gov/careers/nepanno2.html "There are currently no vacancies" oh. 
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Jan 7, 2011 20:40
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Business of Ferrets posted:A few jobs I can think of for FSOs include: Cool. Those sound interesting, and I like that they are out there, even if they are more likely to be later in one's career. Thanks!
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Jan 7, 2011 20:42
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hitension posted:So, I'm pretty sure this is my dream career. I'm a sophomore/junior right now, trying to plan what to do next. There is no formal educational requirement to become an FSO. Your Chinese would be far more helpful than even a BA in getting you in. An MA is not heavily weighed, if at all.
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Jan 7, 2011 20:54
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I have another question that you guys may or may not be able to answer: In determining starting salary State uses a combination of schooling and 'professional experience'. I'm planning on taking the test this year and will keep trying until I get it, but I'm strongly considering doing the Masters International Peace Corps program. This would get me an MA and I'd have 6 years of professional experience (putting me at a FP-4 start point) - if Peace Corps time counts as 'professional experience'. Does anyone know if it does?
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Jan 7, 2011 21:11
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Business of Ferrets, thank you for the information! So a person can become a FSO right after college after all.
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Jan 7, 2011 21:50
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Business of Ferrets posted:A few jobs I can think of for FSOs include: Going in the OP when I get back.
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Jan 8, 2011 00:12
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What's the word on getting clearances with a juvie felony? We're talking non-violent/property offense, with 20+ intervening years of being a good citizen and clerking for judges etc. My husband sits the FSOT next month (he chose consular track) and I'm afraid his history might exclude him.
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Jan 9, 2011 03:59
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hitension posted:Business of Ferrets, thank you for the information! So a person can become a FSO right after college after all. Yeah, but you should definitely try to get some work/volunteer experience on the side.
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Jan 9, 2011 04:07
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Save me jeebus posted:What's the word on getting clearances with a juvie felony? We're talking non-violent/property offense, with 20+ intervening years of being a good citizen and clerking for judges etc. My husband sits the FSOT next month (he chose consular track) and I'm afraid his history might exclude him. He'll have to list it on his SF-86 but I have to assume it would be mitigated considering the circumstances (minor, property damage, 20 intervening years without a record).
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Jan 9, 2011 09:09
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Thanks for the answer. 
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Jan 9, 2011 18:32
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Yeah, but you should definitely try to get some work/volunteer experience on the side. I was going to say, while officially it's right out of college, the QEP process seems to be bias for those who just did college in the US for example. Most JOs I know are former Peace Corps, ex-mil, former State, etc. I know of one who came in after college, but spent nearly all of it overseas.
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Jan 9, 2011 23:13
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TCD posted:I know of one who came in after college, but spent nearly all of it overseas. Hey, that's me! Maybe there is hope... When does registration close for this round of the FSOT? Not sure what my plans are in February yet, as far as other potential job interviews. Preparing for the DSS BEX on Thursday as best I can in the meantime 
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Jan 9, 2011 23:39
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Alright dudes, I just scheduled my test for Feb 7th. Let's see how this goes the 2nd time around!
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Jan 12, 2011 03:17
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CherryCola posted:Alright dudes, I just scheduled my test for Feb 7th. Let's see how this goes the 2nd time around! Wait, what happened to your job offer with NGA? I read your post in the DC thread about your poo poo experiences with Ruthi Postow, and my heart goes out to you because my girlfriend's going through the exact same thing. Minus the offer with NGA.
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Jan 12, 2011 05:40
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suboptimal posted:Wait, what happened to your job offer with NGA? I read your post in the DC thread about your poo poo experiences with Ruthi Postow, and my heart goes out to you because my girlfriend's going through the exact same thing. Minus the offer with NGA. That's still in adjudication. But until I sit down at a desk and start working, I'm going to pretend like I still have no job. I figure that's the safest way.
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Jan 12, 2011 15:00
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I have the study guide and joined the two yahoo groups but can somebody please tell me what the math on the test covers? I am really worried about that one area. The rest I am pretty sure I can do good.
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Jan 12, 2011 16:01
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Question for all of you here. I'm looking pretty heavily into the Foreign Service (in no small part due to having a class last semester taught by our school's diplomat-in-residence), but I'm a little bit unsure of how to proceed. I'm a junior right now, and I want to set things up so that I can finish my degree and basically go in (assuming I make it through the rest of the process) as close to right after graduation as possible. What I'm trying to figure out, essentially, is this: is it in my best interest to take the exam this year, so that if it goes badly I can retake before I graduate? If I do, what happens if I do pass the first time, how would the rest of the process go if I'm still a year or so out from graduation? Alternately, would it be better to wait until my senior year and just prepare like mad? I've been looking at some sets of practice questions and it doesn't seem like anything I can't handle as long as I go in prepared, and from what I've heard about the biographical and essay sections, the same thing applies. So I might be able to do it that way, but then if I somehow manage to gently caress up the exam completely, then I have to do something else for a year instead. What's my best option here?
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Jan 12, 2011 20:16
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Fraction Jackson posted:Question for all of you here. I'm looking pretty heavily into the Foreign Service (in no small part due to having a class last semester taught by our school's diplomat-in-residence), but I'm a little bit unsure of how to proceed. I'm a junior right now, and I want to set things up so that I can finish my degree and basically go in (assuming I make it through the rest of the process) as close to right after graduation as possible. don't assume that this can happen. My impression is that the Foreign Service is getting harder to join, the average age of incoming service members is going higher, and that many people only get in after taking the test and going through the process multiple times. Take the test, knowing that the process is going to take a while. Also, as a 25-year-old who has learned some poo poo the hard way, have like five plans like this going from your junior year through your senior year for work, grad school, etc. after you graduate. Plan early and often, work on this earlier than your friends and colleagues, and have multiple irons in the fire. The best case is turning multiple parties down and being spoiled for choice; worst-case? Not having anything.
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Jan 13, 2011 00:33
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Ebjan posted:I have the study guide and joined the two yahoo groups but can somebody please tell me what the math on the test covers? I am really worried about that one area. The rest I am pretty sure I can do good.
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Jan 13, 2011 08:11
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Welp.
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Jan 13, 2011 19:30
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harperdc posted:don't assume that this can happen. My impression is that the Foreign Service is getting harder to join, the average age of incoming service members is going higher, and that many people only get in after taking the test and going through the process multiple times. Eh, maybe it's unrealistic but I like a challenge. That said, you're probably right and I guess I'll go and register for the February window then.
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Jan 13, 2011 20:05
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Welp. No luck with the DS BEX? Ugg. Sorry to hear that.
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Jan 13, 2011 20:10
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Business of Ferrets posted:No luck with the DS BEX? Ugg. Sorry to hear that. The preparation I did helped a lot, but ultimately it wasn't good enough with my mediocre work experience weighing me down. I'm looking in to starting training as a reserve deputy with my local Sheriff's department, and can probably make some changes at my current job to have stronger answers for the QEP. Will sign up for the FSOT tomorrow if registration for Feb is still open.
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Jan 13, 2011 20:39
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Pompous Rhombus posted:The preparation I did helped a lot, but ultimately it wasn't good enough with my mediocre work experience weighing me down. I'm looking in to starting training as a reserve deputy with my local Sheriff's department, and can probably make some changes at my current job to have stronger answers for the QEP. Will sign up for the FSOT tomorrow if registration for Feb is still open. Just got back from another Embassy happy hour. There's an opportunity for a really cool resume experience, but it might require sign off in respective country capitals. We'll see what happens. A lot of my incoming DS in my specialist class were either prior military, FS *one OMS who was in a Post that was evaced and a FSO*, or prior police of some sort. We had a few civilians here and there. I think the only reason why I got in as young as I did was I was a computer tech that serviced the area the size of West Virginia including a facility in a State maximum security prison. I also was the one tasked to establish initial county comms (borough) after a flood that was declared a State disaster. My first day on the job was welcome on, go drive 100 miles and get the job done and drive back. I also majored in IR which I'm sure didn't hurt. I have to say, that job was still an amazing experience driving over a mountain pass, seeing 11 cars in a 2 hour drive. I just got word we're cancelling a guys only white water rafting trip to another country. loving sucks, but we all understand.
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Jan 13, 2011 21:05
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Fraction Jackson posted:Eh, maybe it's unrealistic but I like a challenge. "Liking a challenge" isn't going to add experience to your resume. Have multiple options, be pragmatic. Plus the hiring process for the FS is stupidly long, the last thing you want is to sit around too long after you've graduated.
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Jan 13, 2011 21:14
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TCD posted:A lot of my incoming DS in my specialist class were either prior military, FS *one OMS who was in a Post that was evaced and a FSO*, or prior police of some sort. We had a few civilians here and there. Yeah, I feel like a career in the FS is within reach, just need some more experience. Even going over the old QEP from the Passport Specialist position I applied for last year, I realized that many of the questions I didn't have a response for before, I actually did if I thought about my past experiences in the right light. Knowing more about what they're looking for, I can likely fill almost all of the gaps I have in the next 6-12 months. I think a lot of my shortcomings are due to my chillax nature when it comes to leadership roles; I don't dislike it, but generally prefer to work collaboratively or on my own and don't automatically gravitate towards those sorts of opportunities. I would rate my chances for the FSOT even lower right now, but like the BEX it'll be invaluable experience if I make it to the Orals. I'm hoping that the DIA and Border Patrol will get back to me about interviews too  harperdc posted:Plus the hiring process for Starting this year, you're looking at a two-year window to be considered a "recent graduate" and eligible for those specialized entry level programs with a lot of government agencies. With the USG you are shooting yourself in the dick if you're monogamous about applying for jobs.
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Jan 13, 2011 21:57
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Pompous Rhombus posted:Starting this year, you're looking at a two-year window to be considered a "recent graduate" and eligible for those specialized entry level programs with a lot of government agencies. With the USG you are shooting yourself in the dick if you're monogamous about applying for jobs. Heh, I applied for the IMS vacancy on a whim. I saw the job posting thanks to Vile and I told my girlfriend, "hey I think I'm qualified". A year later I'm in central Africa.
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Jan 13, 2011 22:05
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Any ideas when QEP results will come out?
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Jan 13, 2011 23:14
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Pompous Rhombus posted:I would rate my chances for the FSOT even lower right now, but like the BEX it'll be invaluable experience if I make it to the Orals. I'm hoping that the DIA and Border Patrol will get back to me about interviews too Out of curiosity where did you BEX?
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Jan 14, 2011 01:26
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Homie S posted:Out of curiosity where did you BEX? In sunny Tampa, FL. Was at the same place I took the BP exam in October, wonder if the government has a thing for that place. Fun BEX story, I thought they were testing me as soon as I got there. The guy at the hotel desk had no idea the State Department/DSS was there, or any idea who my point of contact was. No signs anywhere in the lobby, or on the floor with the conference rooms where I'd expect it to be. I checked the phone number they give on the sheet and yep, it's just for the hotel with clueless staff. I called a friend and had him Google HR's number (should have written that down just in case) in Virginia because I'm the only person in the universe without internet on their phone. Got a hold of HR and apparently the main guy had a medical emergency or something and DSS had sent another guy. I went back to the desk and they said nope, nobody by the other guy's name either. Called HR back again and they called another lady who worked at the hotel (who hadn't been at the desk up until that point), who called the replacement DSS guy and said to wait. Waited about 30 minutes past my appointment time wondering if I was being trolled when he came down to get me. (Was otherwise very professional though.)
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Jan 14, 2011 01:54
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Pompous Rhombus posted:The preparation I did helped a lot, but ultimately it wasn't good enough with my mediocre work experience weighing me down. I'm looking in to starting training as a reserve deputy with my local Sheriff's department, and can probably make some changes at my current job to have stronger answers for the QEP. Will sign up for the FSOT tomorrow if registration for Feb is still open.
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Jan 14, 2011 03:07
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Kase Im Licht posted:Was it just lack of work experience in general, or lack of military/LE/Intel etc? More general (mostly leadership/managerial), although someone with a few years in military/LE would have had probably had that stuff by default.
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Jan 14, 2011 03:22
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Pompous Rhombus posted:More general (mostly leadership/managerial), although someone with a few years in military/LE would have had probably had that stuff by default. It's not uncommon to get to Post, have your supervisor leave with not much turnaround, and now you're managing a section of 10-50+ employees.
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Jan 14, 2011 04:24
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I'm curious how much languages affect your assignments. I'm pretty strong In Japanese, French, and Spanish. I guess only one of those counts toward your qualifying points, but if by some stroke of luck I actually got into the Foreign Service, would my language abilities influence my posts? Are you, for instance, more likely to get an assignment in Japan if you don't need to sit through the language training? I'm getting ahead of myself, sure, but I'm curious.
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Jan 14, 2011 04:29
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So anyone else who sent in their PNQs in November still not hear anything back yet? 
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Jan 14, 2011 17:11
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