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DracoArgentum posted:I haven't the slightest, but being in Japan has given me really weird of ideas of what "sensible" people are allowed to do on their time off. As a teacher, I'm not supposed to go to arcades, because that's not sensible. Arcades are OK. Like BoF said, what you do on your free time is up to you! (Just don't be caught in Kawasaki getting a hummer publically while singing America The Beautiful)
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Jul 22, 2013 00:53
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Anyone participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program? Who should I have sign that Dept. of Education Employment Certification form?
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Jul 22, 2013 01:58
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Skandiaavity posted:Arcades are OK. Like BoF said, what you do on your free time is up to you! (Just don't be caught in Kawasaki getting a hummer publically while singing America The Beautiful) How about O, Canada?
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Jul 22, 2013 02:02
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Skandiaavity posted:Arcades are OK. Like BoF said, what you do on your free time is up to you! (Just don't be caught in Kawasaki getting a hummer publically while singing America The Beautiful) I think I can restrain myself. Sorry to repeat but, the test in only once a year? In June?
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Jul 22, 2013 02:24
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The test is offered in Feb, June and October each year. Once you take the test you cannot take it again for a year, however.
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Jul 22, 2013 02:55
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There are practice tests available too and you should definitely take one. Also the DoS Careers app is available for both Android and iPhones and it has some useful info including a full practice tests worth of questions that (iirc) actually have appeared on the FSOT in the past. I recommend you pick up that app and check it out if you're serious about taking the FSOT. Although as a specialist I don't have to take the FSOT it was still useful for me to check out the practice questions to get an idea of the DoS' general expectation for applicants' knowledge. HiroProtagonist fucked around with this message at 03:22 on Jul 22, 2013 |
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Jul 22, 2013 03:20
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HiroProtagonist posted:There are practice tests available too and you should definitely take one. Downloading the app now! I've been scanning some practice questions. As I expected my major weaknesses are modern history and politics. What is passing? Is it a certain percentage on each section or an overall percentage? Edited to Add: I feel like I should be horrified how many of these answers I only remember from School House Rock... DracoArgentum fucked around with this message at 04:17 on Jul 22, 2013 |
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Jul 22, 2013 04:12
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DracoArgentum posted:What is passing? Is it a certain percentage on each section or an overall percentage? Fate.
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Jul 22, 2013 04:14
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Skandiaavity posted:Fate. So I should sacrifice a chicken beforehand? Or do they prefer bulls?
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Jul 22, 2013 04:18
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DracoArgentum posted:Downloading the app now! I've been scanning some practice questions. As I expected my major weaknesses are modern history and politics. What is passing? Is it a certain percentage on each section or an overall percentage? I've already forgotten for sure, but I think they take the scores, determine the percentiles, consult the augurs when the moon is full, set a percentile that they want ("This year, we want 30% of that lot that applied to move on to the PNQs) and then, after offering another sacrifice at the altar, determine what score gets 30% to pass and set the passing score at that.
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Jul 22, 2013 04:32
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DracoArgentum posted:What is passing?overall percentage? DracoArgentum posted:Is the test only once a year in June? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fswe/ http://careers.state.gov/ https://www.google.com e: Good luck to everyone turning in PNQs on Tuesday! I was stoked to submit mine today.
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Jul 22, 2013 18:19
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This narrative section has helpfully demonstrated to me that I have never done anything impressive when anyone was around to witness it, or at least not when anyone outside my parents or spouse was around. Hopefully "former student" is not "direct subordinate" since that is basically my only chance at pulling some of this off, haha. The perils of jobs where your co-workers and supervisors never actually see you working or know what you are doing.
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Jul 22, 2013 19:26
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Good luck to everyone on PNQs -- I got to the ones that I could, but I think there's a critical mass of people reviewing that you should be able to get some sort of feedback.
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Jul 22, 2013 21:02
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Stayed up late revising e PNQs last night with the help of my husband and Diplomaticus. Ready to turn them in in a couple of hours. Nervous. About passing thr FSOT, I'd also recommend the practice questions on the app. I also found Wikipedia pretty helpful.
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Jul 23, 2013 06:20
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Say, how important is that an FSO can drive a car? I ask because I can't. I generally get around by public transportation, walking, and, when those aren't options, bumming rides. (I did get a driver's license in my late 20s. However, the driving test was conducted in a parking lot and took about five minutes [Florida standards!] and I don't believe I have more than 10 hours' experience driving. Probably less. So I am legally allowed to drive, but in no way actually feel qualified to do so.)
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Jul 23, 2013 09:22
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I'm trying to become fluent in Arabic (been using Memrise, the free language website, if anyone else has other free software/websites for learning languages, let me know), since I have some knowledge of the subject, kind of randomly. How does knowing another language help you in your application (does it)? I've tried twice so far, passed the written twice and crashed in the shoals of the PNQ both times. I thought I was done with trying again, but after an old professor contacted me about trying it (after I hadn't talked to her for three years. Out of the blue, random!), and considering how fun the job seems to be, I'm probably thinking of trying it again in October, maybe. If I can get the gumption up. That loving PNQ though. gently caress!
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Jul 23, 2013 11:34
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Shotar-Didi posted:Say, how important is that an FSO can drive a car? I ask because I can't. I generally get around by public transportation, walking, and, when those aren't options, bumming rides. To get hired it's not an issue. After you get hired could pose an issue depending on the post you go to. Some posts are self drive, some don't allow use of public transportation, etc etc. Wouldn't really sweat it either way.
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Jul 23, 2013 11:48
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Shotar-Didi posted:Say, how important is that an FSO can drive a car? I ask because I can't. I generally get around by public transportation, walking, and, when those aren't options, bumming rides. Yeah, don't worry too much. There are some posts that are self drive/taxi only which maybe a major inconvenience/expensive, but still manageable. Also, motorpool is hit and miss, so I know some people just drive themselves. Remember, you may get posted to capitals of 50k-250k people. Having a car you can drive would be a major quality of life bonus.
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Jul 23, 2013 12:35
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Also I don't know that knowing how to drive in a normal U.S. suburb or small town would even remotely prepare you for driving in a place like New Delhi.
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Jul 23, 2013 12:58
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Driving in the Philippines was always an adventure, especially once outside Manila. You'll learn to drive and adapt to the environment you're in, though coming back after a few years from someplaces aboard makes for some interesting encounters on the road as you try and change your habits back. And maybe a ticket or two.
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Jul 23, 2013 13:40
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Dang this iOS DOSCareers app is 128 MB! Sounds like another fine example of government bloat. 
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Jul 23, 2013 14:04
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100 HOGS AGREE posted:Dang this iOS DOSCareers app is 128 MB! Sounds like another fine example of government bloat. Huh. The android one is only 53 MB. I guess Apple is more bloated than the government. 
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Jul 23, 2013 17:06
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Shotar-Didi posted:Say, how important is that an FSO can drive a car? I ask because I can't. I generally get around by public transportation, walking, and, when those aren't options, bumming rides. Having your license is really important because it will a) be helpful for passport renewals -- I had to make an emergency trip to Florida to renew mine during a holiday weekend in the middle of A-100, as it had just expired and I would not have been able to get my dip passport otherwise; and b) often times driver's licenses in the country you are assigned will be reciprocal with the U.S. (and maybe an additional safety course). In some countries you will absolutely need to drive. Either post motorpool capacity is limited (or is expensive), or it's going to be unreliable in getting you to work on time, or the place won't have mass transportation, or the RSO won't allow it....in AF especially you're not going to be allowed to ride Matatus (generally), there probably won't be a subway, distances are too far to walk/bike and it's not safe to do so as a pedestrian due to crazy drivers. You are going to be expected to have a car. In Addis there were a couple people who didn't drive -- one was an OMS who lived in places where you wouldn't need to drive and while they were able to get rides, it was occasionally tough to make some social events. The other was a senior foreign service member  who had a car, but made everyone else drive her around. I think there were a few others. Nobody liked driving there -- I think we were one of the very few people who made it through an entire tour with zero car-related incidents (other than my car taking 9 months and being joy-ridden and damaged along the way in transit).-e- if you've never dealt with car related stuff before, it's actually not that hard. Once you find out what post you're going to, research if you can get away without having a car. If you find out that you don't need one, great. If you do need one, do yourself a big favor. Find out what kind is popular/prevalent in that country (e.g. Toyotas in AF), find a person departing post who is selling their car, and either buy it outright or pre-arrange a car loan in the US to get it. This way you're not waiting for it to ship, and you're helping someone out. Ideally you'll do the same when you depart -- sell the car to someone incoming. Usually someone at post (CLO office, Management office) can help with this. It's not always possible (we were unable to sell ours despite a lot of interest, nobody wanted to pull the trigger on it) but it's generally preferable. You'll get more selling to another FSO than you will selling to a dealership. Leif. fucked around with this message at 18:13 on Jul 23, 2013 |
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Jul 23, 2013 18:08
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I'm also not really a driver. I only know how to drive an automatic and here in Europe (as in most of the world) those are thin on the ground. As a result of that and the fact that I'd have to redo the driving test here and it's expensive, I haven't driven at all in the 7 years I've been here. And before that I was in my hometown NYC where nobody drives. So it's probably been 15 years or so since I've driven a car. I fully expect that if I make it through this process, I'll be doing driving lessons in a manual car. IMO this would be an essential skill in the FS. I figure it can't be that hard though. I know tons of idiots who drive.
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Jul 23, 2013 18:49
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Thanks for the words of experience and practical advice! I hadn't thought about buying a car from someone leaving a post, but of course that makes a lot of sense. And, yeah... I suppose if I really have to learn driving, I will. I've just enjoyed getting away with not doing it thus far, and spending the money that would've gone towards car expenses instead on the expenses of living in the middle of cities where it's easier not to have a car. I suppose I really should take heart in Obelisk's point about it being an achievable skill. I spent a few months TDY in Naples with a colleague who was not really the brightest bulb (as just one example, it took her the entire time we were there to stop greeting people with "buenos dias"). She did a great job getting us around with a manual transmission, though. Granted, we did get lost several times, and we learned some new gestures in the middle of a roundabout, but her handling of the car itself was pretty expert.
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Jul 23, 2013 19:58
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Submitted those PNQs! God, I hope I didn't screw up any of the verifier information. I've already forgotten, how many years will it be before we get a response back?Obelisk posted:I fully expect that if I make it through this process, I'll be doing driving lessons in a manual car. IMO this would be an essential skill in the FS. I figure it can't be that hard though. I know tons of idiots who drive.
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Jul 23, 2013 22:04
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Sorry everyone for whom I did not edit PNQs - as I think I told you all in emails, I've been crashing hard at work. Thought I'd given up the 12 hour days in Libya. =/ Good luck all!
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Jul 24, 2013 02:29
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Diplomaticus posted:Having your license is really important because it will a) be helpful for passport renewals -- I had to make an emergency trip to Florida to renew mine during a holiday weekend in the middle of A-100, as it had just expired and I would not have been able to get my dip passport otherwise; and b) often times driver's licenses in the country you are assigned will be reciprocal with the U.S. (and maybe an additional safety course). You drove in Addis? How are you still alive? EDIT: Been looking at the extra points given by the foreign language telephone test. Can anyone speak about how strenous the test is? I've getting to the point where I'm conversational in Arabic, but its not like I can give a speech like a Roman Senator or anything. Shageletic fucked around with this message at 02:45 on Jul 24, 2013 |
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Jul 24, 2013 02:42
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Shageletic posted:You drove in Addis? How are you still alive? They're looking for you to be a 2 on the ILR scale. This part wasn't too bad when I did it a few years ago, but there was definitely some vocab that I had to stretch to remember.
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Jul 24, 2013 12:11
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Almost every question in every economics practice test I find is gibberish to me  (Of course my understanding is basically just supply and demand, so that's not shocking) Every other section is fine (not that I know all the answers, but I understand the questions...) Are the tests for each field different? i.e. Since I'm obviously not applying for the economics sector, will the test I take still have a lot of economics questions on it?
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Jul 24, 2013 12:17
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DracoArgentum posted:Are the tests for each field different? i.e. Since I'm obviously not applying for the economics sector, will the test I take still have a lot of economics questions on it? The test you take is in no way connected to the cone you've chosen (i.e. - there are no "Economics" tests or "Public Diplomacy" tests, it's all just a general mix)
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Jul 24, 2013 14:27
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Who thought it would be a good idea to start like 5 A-100 classes within 3 weeks of each other.
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Jul 24, 2013 20:06
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psydude posted:Who thought it would be a good idea to start like 5 A-100 classes within 3 weeks of each other. But there's food trucks at FSI, so it's not like there'll be a run on the cafeteria anymore. 
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Jul 24, 2013 20:46
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Zoots posted:But there's food trucks at FSI, so it's not like there'll be a run on the cafeteria anymore. So far I haven't found the crowds in the cafeteria that bad (I won't count Monday when it was a pile of suck trying to go from class to a meeting and grabbing something to eat right around noon).
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Jul 24, 2013 23:13
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Shageletic posted:EDIT: Been looking at the extra points given by the foreign language telephone test. Can anyone speak about how strenous the test is? I've getting to the point where I'm conversational in Arabic, but its not like I can give a speech like a Roman Senator or anything. it depends; but State's scale is different from other metrics, including the scale that the U.N. uses (FLPT?). I also want to say a bit stricter than what is listed on wikipedia ILR as a heads up. As a reference, in general a 2 would mean you could (ideally) conduct your business in that country, including navigate any hypothetical bureaucracy, without much assistance. You speak clearly, but you likely have a distinct accent (or in some cases, not understand slight grammar/pronounciation technicalities). You wouldn't be able to give speeches/talk about highly specific/technical/local issues but would have little-to-no issue attending such events and socializing there. As you put it, a "roman senator" is a 3. Strictly conversational arabic, would net you a 1, perhaps a 2 at most. as for the strenous bit, I have no idea if they test you on 'common' arabic or if it goes into dialect-specific. The_chavi could probably chime in more as she knows far more about that than me. For Chinese I have been told they ask you to clarify mandarin/cantonese and test accordingly. You want at least a 2, or a 3, for the points depending on CNL or SCNL. Note that if you choose that route you will be locked in to serving at a (language)-speaking post at least twice.
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Jul 25, 2013 01:56
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DracoArgentum posted:Almost every question in every economics practice test I find is gibberish to me No joke, read Economics for Dummies. It'll more than cover you for the purposes of the FSOT and basic info.
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Jul 25, 2013 02:10
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Continuous posted:They're looking for you to be a 2 on the ILR scale. This part wasn't too bad when I did it a few years ago, but there was definitely some vocab that I had to stretch to remember. Skandiaavity posted:it depends; but State's scale is different from other metrics, including the scale that the U.N. uses (FLPT?). I also want to say a bit stricter than what is listed on wikipedia ILR as a heads up. As a reference, in general a 2 would mean you could (ideally) conduct your business in that country, including navigate any hypothetical bureaucracy, without much assistance. You speak clearly, but you likely have a distinct accent (or in some cases, not understand slight grammar/pronounciation technicalities). You wouldn't be able to give speeches/talk about highly specific/technical/local issues but would have little-to-no issue attending such events and socializing there. So...my lovely 1st grade vocabulary is probably not going to cut it... thinking I should just try the FSOT in the fall, and not bother to try the arabic test, and if I don't get in try to do a NGO tour or something in the ME to buff up my language skills.
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Jul 25, 2013 02:51
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Diplomaticus posted:No joke, read Economics for Dummies. It'll more than cover you for the purposes of the FSOT and basic info. Thanks, I will do that. One other question, how much emphasis is there on names/dates vs. concepts/ideas? I'm not the best at names and dates and so have been trying to study those, but there are obviously quite a few.
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Jul 25, 2013 04:03
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Shageletic posted:So...my lovely 1st grade vocabulary is probably not going to cut it... thinking I should just try the FSOT in the fall, and not bother to try the arabic test, and if I don't get in try to do a NGO tour or something in the ME to buff up my language skills. It never hurts to try, you may get a favorable examiner! I encourage you to try it anyway. At worst you will get no points, there is no negative 'hit' associated with it. But in that timeframe you will be waiting to hear something from someone (anyone, really!) so taking the language exam may also give you something to do in the interim. Just don't be offended if they rate you lower than what you thought. The standard is set very high because if you get the points, you may be put working in a position that will best utilize your language skills in a foreign policy environment. (read: as little mistakes/misunderstandings as possible)
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Jul 25, 2013 05:05
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Skandiaavity posted:it depends; but State's scale is different from other metrics, including the scale that the U.N. uses (FLPT?). I also want to say a bit stricter than what is listed on wikipedia ILR as a heads up. As a reference, in general a 2 would mean you could (ideally) conduct your business in that country, including navigate any hypothetical bureaucracy, without much assistance. You speak clearly, but you likely have a distinct accent (or in some cases, not understand slight grammar/pronounciation technicalities). You wouldn't be able to give speeches/talk about highly specific/technical/local issues but would have little-to-no issue attending such events and socializing there. Just based on people who have broken the NDA -- and done the language test for the National Language Service Corps, which supposedly has a very similar test -- being conversational should net you a three. If you're conversational, you should be able to participate in most daily conversations and use the language in a professional setting, but will likely struggle with complex patterns and highly culturally-dependent topics. Shageletic posted:So...my lovely 1st grade vocabulary is probably not going to cut it... thinking I should just try the FSOT in the fall, and not bother to try the arabic test, and if I don't get in try to do a NGO tour or something in the ME to buff up my language skills. Just go for it!! But, as somebody studying and living in a country with a Category 5 language, it's really, really hard. It gets even harder when you start having to balance work and social demands with studying the language. Right now, I can use Chinese to meet all my daily needs, meet some social demands, explain new concepts/things -- but when I sit down to the dinner table with my host family, there are moments where I feel absolutely helpless. And I've now been studying Chinese since the fall of 2011 (albeit with a semi-break from last August until this June). Don't give up!! Just keep your expectations in check with the reality of how goddamn difficult Arabic is. I took a semester of Arabic in college, did really well, but told myself never again.
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Jul 25, 2013 06:42
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