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Did anyone else apply for a summer internship back in Nov. with the State Dept. and hear anything back yet? I applied for Morocco and still haven't heard anything.
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Jan 5, 2014 00:19
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Ramms+ein posted:Did anyone else apply for a summer internship back in Nov. with the State Dept. and hear anything back yet? I applied for Morocco and still haven't heard anything. The student ones that were due on November 1st, yeah? I heard back from Manila in mid-December...
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Jan 5, 2014 01:40
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It's not the same thing as a class invite, but for my part I'm still waiting on/hoping for a BEX invite here. Anyone know if my application would end up in a holding pattern for consideration if I didn't upload a certified transcript for some reason? The instructions said an uncertified transcript was "acceptable" for submission but that a certified copy was required at some undefined point. I had kinda been holding off on that until I heard about whether I would be called to let me know if I would be moving forward, but now I'm wondering if it's holding me up.
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Jan 5, 2014 02:12
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Gravel Gravy posted:So I'm about less than a month away from the start of my internship, everything appeared to be going smoothly. Except my clearance has been held in adjudication for sometime, as far as I know some weeks before the holidays. Last time around I was in adjudication for less than a day so am getting a little anxious. Granted they rushed it last time under threat of the 2011 shutdown.
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Jan 5, 2014 02:39
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HiroProtagonist posted:It's not the same thing as a class invite, but for my part I'm still waiting on/hoping for a BEX invite here. I submitted an unofficial transcript for the web application and they called me on the 3rd to confirm my appointment for BEX. I'm taking the BEX on the 10th. I specifically asked about transcripts since last year they wanted me to bring them, but the woman on the phone said that the only paperwork I needed was an ID. Hopefully second time is the charm  I don't feel too bad though since apparently most people take 2 or even 3 attempts to make it.
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Jan 5, 2014 03:04
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Vasudus posted:I submitted an unofficial transcript for the web application and they called me on the 3rd to confirm my appointment for BEX. I'm taking the BEX on the 10th. I specifically asked about transcripts since last year they wanted me to bring them, but the woman on the phone said that the only paperwork I needed was an ID. Congrats dude!!! That's great news. Not sure where it's being held for you, but if you're trekking into DC for it I'll be around if you wanted to have a beer or two afterwards should you need to jump for joy/commiserate/gush/cry helplessly about the experience.  I'm sure you've got it in you though--best wishes and good luck.
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Jan 5, 2014 03:40
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Hey Goons, wanna have a Goony get together in the next few weeks? I can host again, or we can have a happy hour out on the town.
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Jan 5, 2014 04:54
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HiroProtagonist posted:It's not the same thing as a class invite, but for my part I'm still waiting on/hoping for a BEX invite here. Unofficial is fine, they never even bothered to get my official.
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Jan 5, 2014 06:28
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Vasudus posted:I submitted an unofficial transcript for the web application and they called me on the 3rd to confirm my appointment for BEX. I'm taking the BEX on the 10th. I specifically asked about transcripts since last year they wanted me to bring them, but the woman on the phone said that the only paperwork I needed was an ID. Is there no official email that comes with a BEX invite anymore? That particular email should have instructions (or an attachment with instructions on it) about specifically what you should bring. the_chavi posted:Hey Goons, wanna have a Goony get together in the next few weeks? I can host again, or we can have a happy hour out on the town. I'm down. Sooner the better I guess, my test was bumped up earlier so I might be outta here sooner than I thought.
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Jan 5, 2014 06:38
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the_chavi posted:Hey Goons, wanna have a Goony get together in the next few weeks? I can host again, or we can have a happy hour out on the town. Down as well. Assuming I'm not riding ambulances again that night. (Tuesdays thru Thursdays the next several months are going to be rough fyi--after January I won't have a weekend duty night till mid February though so I can safely assume weekends are free unless otherwise booked.)
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Jan 5, 2014 07:55
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Homie S posted:Is there no official email that comes with a BEX invite anymore? That particular email should have instructions (or an attachment with instructions on it) about specifically what you should bring. There is. The email I got last time said to bring an ID and any documents requested, which in my case was grad/undergrad transcripts and my DD214 that they said over the phone the week prior. During the web application I had uploaded unofficial transcripts + a scanned copy of my DD214. This time it said the same thing in the email, but the lady on the other end when they called said they didn't need my official transcripts or a hard copy of my DD214 this time. I only asked her because this cycle my grades came out the 29th, so I would still have to get an official transcript printed and the free service takes a few days. I'll probably get official transcripts anyway and just bring them with me in my coat pocket. If they need them they can have them. HiroProtagonist posted:Congrats dude!!! That's great news. Not sure where it's being held for you, but if you're trekking into DC for it I'll be around if you wanted to have a beer or two afterwards should you need to jump for joy/commiserate/gush/cry helplessly about the experience. Thanks. I'm taking it in DC but I'm likely going to be in and out - taking the late train in the 9th and leaving the afternoon of the 10th. Assuming I get this thing I'll probably be around a lot more for meetups.
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Jan 5, 2014 08:08
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I could see how the DD214 could be much more valuable given how (from what I know) DS values veteran's pref. Actually, to be completely honest, for the last month or two I've been sorting out the logistics around the idea of doing a four year tour myself, if I am not invited to the BEX this round. I'm well aware of what I'd be getting myself into; it's nothing I've not considered at one point or another since I was 16 at least. And, all things considered, it wouldn't be a terrible idea right now for me. HiroProtagonist fucked around with this message at 08:36 on Jan 5, 2014 |
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Jan 5, 2014 08:34
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tismondo posted:It's the holidays, so I wouldn't be surprised if things were moving slowly. I was actually under investigation - not even adjudication - until 3 weeks AFTER my internship start date. I had to buy last minute tickets halfway around the world to finally make it to DC on the date they wanted me there. Thanks. Yeah that's probably more likely. Well I guess from yours and my experience, convenience isn't really considered here.Had to give up my university TA position, stipend, and until I am cleared then I don't know when they want me to start. But it's for my dream job, so I'll put up with it. Stoked.
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Jan 5, 2014 20:16
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Man, EVERYTHING is moving slow. We are well into January and we are STILL waiting for the results on the fall Specialist Tenure Board. Just so long as they release the results before the next wave of bidding. Don't anyone get too discouraged by not having heard back on <insert thing here> yet. After the government shutdown things have been moving especially slow this holiday season...
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Jan 5, 2014 20:50
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Ramms+ein posted:Did anyone else apply for a summer internship back in Nov. with the State Dept. and hear anything back yet? I applied for Morocco and still haven't heard anything. My office had to make our summer internship decisions by mid-December. I don't know if that applies across the entire Department. Just a tip to future intern applicants, and something I wish someone had really drilled in to me when I was applying to be an intern - select the offices/posts that you're applying for intelligently, read the instructions(that means you have to pref regional bureaus if you want an overseas internship - I can't send you overseas from my office), and if you're applying to a functional bureau (like Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor or Econ or whatever), put some time into researching what the bureau actually does. Sell your work and academic experience to fit the bureau's mission as much as possible in both your resume and your little cover letter/personal statement thing. A ton of people preffed my bureau and then their applications didn't have anything to do with our work. I'm busy with tons of other poo poo and trying to look over a 100 intern applications; the only ones that are making the short list are the ones that break away from just a pro forma "I am confident that I will be a good fit in your office because of my strong work ethic, academic history, and work experience." Bonus points if you figure out that my bureau doesn't just do CN.
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Jan 5, 2014 20:52
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Gravel Gravy posted:Thanks. Yeah that's probably more likely. Well I guess from yours and my experience, convenience isn't really considered here.Had to give up my university TA position, stipend, and until I am cleared then I don't know when they want me to start. But it's for my dream job, so I'll put up with it. Luckily some people in my office have a lot of pull and they had the decision reversed. Good luck to you! It's a great internship and I was amazed at how many FSOs in my office were former interns. Hopefully it pays off for us.
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Jan 6, 2014 00:36
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tismondo posted:I found out on the first day of my internship my clearance had originally been "intern denied." It's a special kind of denial given to interns who have been abroad a long time. I guess investigating all those foreign contacts for a 4 month internship isn't worth it to them. I think you mean interim.
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Jan 6, 2014 00:51
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TCD posted:I think you mean interim.
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Jan 6, 2014 02:48
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Is housing generally furnished or is this a "depends" question based on where you're assigned? I ask because I don't really a ton of furniture having lived in small studio/1 br type place with multiple roommates for a while - I'm curious if I should start saving for large purchases.
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Jan 6, 2014 04:08
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problematique posted:Is housing generally furnished or is this a "depends" question based on where you're assigned? Most posts are furnished but yes it does depend. Most new hire IMS lists are small enough that if there is a non furnished post on it, you can tell your cdo that you don't want that one.
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Jan 6, 2014 05:11
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Thanks! That's good to know. Just received my final offer letter for Feb. Was anyone else's class this big -- 24 IMS and 6 IMTS? I expected them to range 10-15. I was thinking bigger might be better as that it means more options to choose from on EL directed assignments, but that probably doesn't make sense. At least it's on the summer cycle, which people here seem to indicate is a positive thing.
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Jan 6, 2014 16:23
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Oh man, I just got an invitation to take the test in February. What do I do, what do I doooooo.
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Jan 6, 2014 17:56
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tismondo posted:I found out on the first day of my internship my clearance had originally been "intern denied." It's a special kind of denial given to interns who have been abroad a long time. I guess investigating all those foreign contacts for a 4 month internship isn't worth it to them. Luckily I was already cleared for a higher clearance a while back, so they just investigated everything from then on. Strange thing though that apparently they haven't contacted anyone as far as I know and its already in adjudication. That's good to hear. I am hoping that I'll be able to snag work in DC and transfer grad schools at the end of this thing. Norfolk's getting a little dull.
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Jan 6, 2014 20:31
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CherryCola posted:Oh man, I just got an invitation to take the test in February. What do I do, what do I doooooo. Go for it! I remember you said you've taken it a couple times already, right?
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Jan 6, 2014 20:41
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problematique posted:Thanks! That's good to know. That's a big class!
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Jan 7, 2014 05:41
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problematique posted:Thanks! That's good to know. You can also add 4 GSOs to the Feb Specialist class attendance roster.
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Jan 8, 2014 03:57
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4 goon GSOs?
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Jan 8, 2014 04:06
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GSO are Specialists?
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Jan 8, 2014 04:51
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There are GSO specialists as well as Management officer GSOs.
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Jan 8, 2014 05:47
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Nutrimentia posted:GSO are Specialists? From what I have read there are a little over 200 GSO Specialists in the Foreign Service. I believe there are also at least 1 or 2 Senior Foreign Service GSO Specialists. This Feb I am starting my FS career as a GSO. I assume that I will also get some management officer opportunities after 1 or 2 GSO assignments. That is if I choose to volunteer to do a management officer tour. Any management officers out there want to provide their opinions? I guess the hardest thing I will face joining the FS is going to be transitioning from senior manager jobs to entry level work. However, with the shortage of mid level experience in the FS, I might get greater responsibility earlier in my career. At least that is what I hope will happen.
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Jan 8, 2014 06:23
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joe123456 posted:This Feb I am starting my FS career as a GSO. I assume that I will also get some management officer opportunities after 1 or 2 GSO assignments. That is if I choose to volunteer to do a management officer tour. FYI, that's not guaranteed and not necessarily common and I'd bet good money will not happen after just one GSO assignment. That's an out of cone assignment and historically, specialist -> generalist positions have a lot more scrutiny and you're much more likely to be challenged via a shootout. I know of two GSO specialist doing this right now, however, one is in a not so pleasant spot in Africa. The other was a GSO in the Mission where he had previously served, and knew the in and outs of the host country process- particularly valuable when opening a new consulate (and starting a new housing pool, furniture pool, aka GSO stuff). Said person also did several years in country as DoD and his wife may have been a dual citizen. Just manage your expectations on that one... E: I think both of their excursion MGT officer tours were as their 4th or 5th tour. TCD fucked around with this message at 20:31 on Jan 8, 2014 |
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Jan 8, 2014 10:01
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Leif. posted:There are GSO specialists as well as Management officer GSOs. Same with HR and Finance.
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Jan 8, 2014 10:03
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Is the current list of 9/14% SIP available publicly or is it FOUO? I see a USAID document from 2008 but nothing from State/more recent. Since I'm eligible for SIP in 6 months due to already being a federal employee I'd like to start working on it before starting class in Feb. I spoke with SCRwM about the recent class and am looking a 9% right now, something like GROL or ACIS but was curious what else might be available.
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Jan 8, 2014 15:38
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TCD posted:Same with HR and Finance. Yup, I knew of those. Not that I make a distinction about whether someone is specialist or generalist when it comes down to it. Had my first Korean consultation today. Departure is still several months away but it was nice to dip toes back into the actual work. The language is coming along okay for me. My Japanese has helped tremendously in understanding and learning but for some damned reason I'm just not producing speech very fluidly. I can feel a lot of Japanese interference, both direct (wanting to use Japanese words) as well as indirect (inadvertently trying to use Korean at the same level as Japanese). I'm banking on this being an exponential learning curve.
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Jan 9, 2014 03:54
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Nutrimentia posted:Departure is still several months away
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Jan 10, 2014 01:35
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My former OMS went to Korea. She was pretty awful though.
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Jan 10, 2014 09:57
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Welp, didn't pass the BEX. Nobody apparently did from my group either, despite one of them being ex-SF and another being a grad from the London School of Economics. I'm starting to think this just isn't the career for me. Oh well.
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Jan 10, 2014 15:52
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Vasudus posted:Welp, didn't pass the BEX. Nobody apparently did from my group either, despite one of them being ex-SF and another being a grad from the London School of Economics. I'm starting to think this just isn't the career for me. Oh well. Sorry :/. I'd keep trying if it's something you want to experience.
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Jan 10, 2014 16:37
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Vasudus posted:Welp, didn't pass the BEX. Nobody apparently did from my group either, despite one of them being ex-SF and another being a grad from the London School of Economics. I'm starting to think this just isn't the career for me. Oh well. Doh.  Ditto on the keep trying though.
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Jan 10, 2014 18:03
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Can anyone provide insight on language training for FSO generalists? I know it depends heavily on schedules and what's available. Does anyone receive training prior to their first or second tours?
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Jan 10, 2014 18:12
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