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Hope you guys have fun at the DC meet, I'm OCONUS for my internship. Was really hoping to meet some of you.
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Jun 3, 2011 14:31
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Diplomaticus, I can do it on the 24th if you can/want to meet up with BoF again. If not let's get some dates out..
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Jun 3, 2011 14:52
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Business of Ferrets posted:I don't get into town until the 21st or so. But no harm in doing something soon and then again when another group of folks is around (though would be great to see Diplomaticus again!) I'm around until the weekend of the 25th so if that's the best overlap we can make it happen. 24th might be good, it's my last day at FSI.
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Jun 4, 2011 17:47
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Let's plan for the evening of the 24th. If it's not too much of a hassle, I'd like to do it somewhere in Alexandria so I can get home and pack my poo poo at a reasonable hour. Also: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/04/lawrence-eagleburger-dead-dies_n_871306.html Lawrence Eagleburger passed away today.
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Jun 4, 2011 17:48
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Diplomaticus posted:Let's plan for the evening of the 24th. If it's not too much of a hassle, I'd like to do it somewhere in Alexandria so I can get home and pack my poo poo at a reasonable hour. It worked out so we had a both an A100 and specialist class graduate at the same time, and he spoke at our graduation at main state.
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Jun 5, 2011 10:31
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Of all the secstate hung up in the office I went to, he always had the sternest portrait. Like he knew you were full of poo poo and didn't take it from anyone. edit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Lawrence_Eagleburger.jpg this one. 24th is fine. Any locations in mind? I figure we'd get something American 
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Jun 6, 2011 15:25
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FSOT in jacksonville tomorrow at 10:30am. I'm stoked!
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Jun 6, 2011 18:21
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I've been reading FSO blogs out there and they're seemingly an awesome insight into the career. http://www.wingtipsontheground.com/Site/Welcome.html is one I found today and it's reaffirmed my idea that just because it's Iraq (or whatever other hardship post) doesn't mean it's lovely. It's what you make of it. I was also surprised when I was reading a blog today and supposedly half of the guy's A-100 class was ex-PeaceCorps.
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Jun 6, 2011 22:23
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hayden. posted:I've been reading FSO blogs out there and they're seemingly an awesome insight into the career. http://www.wingtipsontheground.com/Site/Welcome.html is one I found today and it's reaffirmed my idea that just because it's Iraq (or whatever other hardship post) doesn't mean it's lovely. It's what you make of it. If not 1/2 of my class, then at least 1/3 or so were PCV.
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Jun 7, 2011 03:39
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hayden. posted:I've been reading FSO blogs out there and they're seemingly an awesome insight into the career. http://www.wingtipsontheground.com/Site/Welcome.html is one I found today and it's reaffirmed my idea that just because it's Iraq (or whatever other hardship post) doesn't mean it's lovely. It's what you make of it. I know the author well. Easily one of the best diplomats I've ever met.
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Jun 7, 2011 03:58
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Just finished my first attempt at the FSOT. Not as terrible as I was anticipating. I'll probably get rejected due to my biographical section though, I get the feeling they're not interested in friendless losers.
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Jun 7, 2011 15:52
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Can anyone explain how the progression from newbie to veteran works in terms of where you're assigned? I assume the longer you're there the more influence you have on where you go? After 10 years do you pretty much have your pick of the litter? From what I gather it seems like you're perpetually always changing whether you want to or not. What roles are you open to be promoted to after serving long enough, or is there no clear cut paths like that? The application online says there's no need to speak a foreign language going in, but I assume it helps your odds? I think I read that improves your OA score, making you higher on the register. Even if you're low on the register will you eventually get picked? hayden. fucked around with this message at 18:12 on Jun 7, 2011 |
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Jun 7, 2011 18:09
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hayden. posted:Even if you're low on the register will you eventually get picked? This totally depends on hiring, and how well people are doing on the Orals... In short, with still a slow economy, and now talk of Fed budget cuts, work force reduction through hiring (not 1-1 replacement) all bets are off on the register and how fast people move through it. On an unrelated note, I swear, god does not want me to take the FSOT. I've either had to be in a country where it's not offered or on a loving jet plane via international travel. Also gently caress selling poo poo at the end of your tour... I just want to leave now. Edit: I just started to read all my backlog liveline emails.... how the gently caress did some of these people make it into the Department? TCD fucked around with this message at 20:57 on Jun 7, 2011 |
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Jun 7, 2011 18:25
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hayden. posted:Can anyone explain how the progression from newbie to veteran works in terms of where you're assigned? I assume the longer you're there the more influence you have on where you go? After 10 years do you pretty much have your pick of the litter? From what I gather it seems like you're perpetually always changing whether you want to or not. This is covered pretty well in the OP, but I'm happy to comment a bit more. It is safe to say that the longer you are in , the more influence you have on where you don't go. At the mid-levels, you have to lobby for jobs, which basically entails selling yourself as the best candidate for a particular job. Your peers are doing this, too, so seniority alone will not get you good jobs; inside the bureau that owns the job, you have to have a reputation for being a good officer and someone with whom people want to work. There are plenty of average FSOs who get fine but not great jobs every bidding cycle. hayden. posted:What roles are you open to be promoted to after serving long enough, or is there no clear cut paths like that? There are no clear-cut paths. People who want to be ambassador in the shortest time possible generally will take a lot of the same steps, but nothing is guaranteed. hayden. posted:The application online says there's no need to speak a foreign language going in, but I assume it helps your odds? I think I read that improves your OA score, making you higher on the register. Even if you're low on the register will you eventually get picked? Speaking a language helps you if you pass the FSOA. As TCD noted, there are no guarantees that you will get a job offer if you are at the bottom of the register. That said, some registers tend to hire deeper than others, so someone at the bottom of the Management register is more likely to be hired than, say, someone equally low on the Political register.
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Jun 9, 2011 04:35
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I was looking at the PC thread, but saw this and thought it would be better, considering my mountain of crushing student debt. I've read the OP, and I know they say no degree requirement, but are there certain degrees that get higher consideration than others? I've got a BS in Aerospace Engineering and have spent the last two years not being an engineer (not for lack of trying). Do Technical degrees do well or about equal chance getting in? Can I apply for multiple career paths? I'd really like to be considered for Economic or Management, is it possible to regester for consideration for both, or is it all a one-at-a-time thing? I've got a lot of Customer Service experience, should I maybe consider being a Consular instead? Despite the 'bad' listed in the OP, it doesn't sound worse than what I currently deal with on a day to day basis (and would pay better).
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Jun 9, 2011 16:43
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YF19pilot posted:I was looking at the PC thread, but saw this and thought it would be better, considering my mountain of crushing student debt. Double check what I say because I'm new to this, too. Your technical degree means you're well qualified to become a FSS rather than an FSO. The majority of the FSS areas I looked at required engineering or science degrees which meant I couldn't really apply for them. For an FSO I don't think it helps at all. You can only apply for a single career path. I've heard various accounts of how difficult it is to change once you're employed, but in any case it isn't easy (ranges from difficult to impossible). Management seems to be the easiest to get in to, so if you're cool with that path then I'd suggest going for it. I'm not really interested in typical office work personally (I want to be an FSO to get away from it). Some people really like the Consular area (http://www.thelifediplomatic.com is a good blog about a guy really liking it). I'm not sure your CS skills will really factor in to whether you'll be hired. I actually asked the guy in the above blog more specifically about whether the rumors of visa stuff sucking are true: http://www.thelifediplomatic.com/2011/05/furthering-education.html?showComment=1307038139711#c3486729170891067704 hayden. fucked around with this message at 16:52 on Jun 9, 2011 |
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Jun 9, 2011 16:50
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 Packing & moving: pretty much the worst part of the FS. Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease let it be over soon. . . .
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Jun 10, 2011 07:16
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Business of Ferrets posted:
I got those "gonna be pcs'ing soon" jitters.
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Jun 10, 2011 14:47
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Vilerat posted:I got those "gonna be pcs'ing soon" jitters. Under 3 weeks and out... gah this sucks
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Jun 10, 2011 15:34
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I'm not leaving until the end of Sept. but am already nervous about shipping everything & trying to figure out what consumables to ship.
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Jun 10, 2011 18:20
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I'm flipping out right now about my move. My packout company is literally not speaking to me, and they refused to come on my gap day, they want me to get packed on a day that I have class.
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Jun 10, 2011 18:33
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Diplomaticus posted:I'm flipping out right now about my move. My packout company is literally not speaking to me, and they refused to come on my gap day, they want me to get packed on a day that I have class.
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Jun 10, 2011 18:47
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pack your stuff in advance? Sheeeeeeeit. Also, where were we going to meet on the 24th?
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Jun 10, 2011 18:54
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[ASK] me about shipping cats overseas.
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Jun 10, 2011 18:58
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Another way the Foreign Service helps you save money: discouraging you from owning anything
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Jun 10, 2011 22:06
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Vilerat posted:[ASK] me about shipping cats overseas. [Tell] me, I'm shipping 3 of them. I need to get a cargo crate that can hold all of them at once, with requisite food/water/making GBS threads capacities.
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Jun 10, 2011 23:13
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I heard putting animals on planes was dangerous? I was reading a FSO blog and she was whining for months about how her dog died being shipped. I've heard people losing limbs complaining less.
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Jun 10, 2011 23:37
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Have read this thread since the beginning, and found it to be extremely informative and incredibly heartening for anyone that ever dreamed of being in the FS. Finally got the balls to register for the test back in the Winter, and am heading to Wheeling, WV (because there's no place in Pittsburgh, PA???) to take the test tomorrow. I know my odds aren't great at getting to the next step after this, but I'm excited to taking another step in this long journey. Thanks guys for making, keeping up with, supporting, and adding to this thread!
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Jun 11, 2011 04:19
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Had my final interview at the Foreign Ministry here in Holland for a two-year traineeship, with the possibility of joining the ranks of the diplomats after. Results are in two weeks  I read through this whole thread while sorting out various interview and written answer questions bullshit. Thanks a lot!
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Jun 11, 2011 22:46
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TCD posted:Under 3 weeks and out... gah this sucks Get everything unpacked and just the way you want it ... it seems like is time to start planning on how to pack it up again for the next move. Hope everybody has a good time on the 24th ... too bad I will be so far away ... enjoy.
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Jun 13, 2011 09:22
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Diplomaticus posted:[Tell] me, I'm shipping 3 of them. I need to get a cargo crate that can hold all of them at once, with requisite food/water/making GBS threads capacities. No you dont! You need individual cat carriers that will allow them to stand up and walk around. Also you need to not be shipping them during the summer. http://diplopedia.state.gov/index.php?title=Pets (for those at work) They have us flying US Air which does not let you take pets overseas no matter what instead of the more expensive Delta flight that will let you carry on cats. So we have to use a service (http://www.allpettravel.com/ is one that gave us a quote of $1800 for both door to door). You get blanket $1000 for shipping expenses and you can itemize but I don't think for this. The rules say you can itemize for only the pet shipping part and not the boarding, pickup/dropoff/extra service part. Ugh!
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Jun 13, 2011 15:39
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Vilerat posted:No you dont! You need individual cat carriers that will allow them to stand up and walk around. Also you need to not be shipping them during the summer.
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Jun 13, 2011 16:53
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Vilerat posted:No you dont! You need individual cat carriers that will allow them to stand up and walk around. Also you need to not be shipping them during the summer. Yeah, problem is I don't know what airline I'm flying yet. And shipping them at a different time is not really an option. Hopefully I can use the airline rather than have to ship them through a third party.
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Jun 14, 2011 17:46
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I don't know if State has a deal, but Continental is really nice. http://www.continental.com/web/en-us/content/travel/animals/default.aspx (for in-Cabin rules: http://www.continental.com/web/en-us/content/travel/animals/in_cabin.aspx ) (plus if anything goes wrong, I'll hook you up with an EVP to sort your poo poo out)
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Jun 14, 2011 20:38
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Just got my FSOT study guide. I love that it's BRIGHT NEON ORANGE. Now even I can't lose it in my clutter. Not that I was intending to anyways. Now, I'm still reading through the thread to gleen some knowledge, but in case I miss something, do you all have some 'recommended reading' to help with studying for the test?
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Jun 15, 2011 03:12
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YF19pilot posted:
Read the NY Times or any reputable national or international newspaper to be aware of what the heck is going on in this world. The Economist is good too. But I assume you already do this since you are interested in the Foreign Service. The Elements of Style by Strunk to get a good refresher on English writing. The Constitution. A People and a Nation: A History of the United States to refresh what was going on with our country. An atlas, be familiar with the world geography. Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: A History of the Modern World from the Mongol Empire to the Present to get a good idea what was happening. Career Diplomacy to get a good understanding of the Foreign Service. It won't help on the test per se but is very informative about the whole process and history of the Foreign Service. Be computer literate like know how to send a email or use Microsoft Word.
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Jun 15, 2011 03:39
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Welp, finally got my travel orders and packout squared away. Thank god. I was seriously starting to get into "holy poo poo im going to be too late" mode.
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Jun 15, 2011 03:42
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Diplomaticus posted:Welp, finally got my travel orders and packout squared away. Thank god. I was seriously starting to get into "holy poo poo im going to be too late" mode. Rookie. This will happen to you every single time. Welcome to the Foreign Service!
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Jun 15, 2011 10:31
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Something interesting that I never came across in any FSOT study sites, or this thread for that matter, is the absence of anyone telling me that American culture would be on the test. I for one know poo poo about Star Trek, the 1940's Bebop Jazz development, or some of the early feminist writers. I guess what I can bring to this table is that ANYTHING and EVERYTHING could be on this test. Also, the biographical section is where I spent most of my time on the test, and really had to hustle through the latter half to work towards getting done. I guess, be prepared on that section to seriously think fast, clearly, and precisely about the questions pertaining to yourself. If you're plan is to try and make yourself look good and click on all the high character mark's, it's going to ask you to list them. Good luck.
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Jun 15, 2011 17:11
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Business of Ferrets posted:Rookie. Under 16 days... still scrambling. Add to the fact there is an issue ongoing which means we're now getting random military trucks parked outside our residence with several military troops who stare and flash their lights at us as we leave the residence. As long as they don't try to seize my property, we won't have an "incident".
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Jun 15, 2011 17:51
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