US Foreign Service & FSOT Megathread: Where Dreams Come True & Even Lawyers Get Jobs

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Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Kase Im Licht posted:

From hardest to easiest its something like:

Political, economic, Public Diplomacy, Management, Consular.

Close but PD is in higher demand than Econ. I can chime in from a IMS/IMTS background or more recently Management if anybody has any questions. I really didn't realize we had so many State types on here these days.

# ¿ Jul 21, 2009 13:49

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# ¿ Apr 28, 2024 06:20

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

What's the phase out time frame?

Also, do people working for DoS typically maintain houses in the US, just in case?

Vile Rat, why management track?

Because I took an IPO position at a consulate where the IMO is off in the main embassy far away and my management officer loves taking leave during major events.

Funny thing is even though you come in as a whatever, you CAN bid and potentially get anything. You can come in to fix computers and get an assignment writing political cables in Bujumbura, it's just a little more difficult. If you spent 3 years doing something you don't normally do you can add that skill code onto your profile and bid on those things normally. I can once my current assignment is up have a reasonable chance of getting a MGMT position somewhere without ever taking the exam.

# ¿ Jul 23, 2009 15:46

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

During a full career in DoS, how much time can one expect to be posted in DC?

As little as you want if that's your aim. They try to get people out into the field and have actual rules restricting how long you can stay in the states before they force you to take an overseas assignment. If you want to camp out in DC forever I'd recommend a civil service job instead.

# ¿ Jul 23, 2009 23:37

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Omits-Bagels posted:

Is there a fight to get the "good" locations (London, Paris, etc...)?

Honestly not as much as you might think. "Good" locations are typically expensive to live at and they are mostly large embassies which aren't fantastic work environments. I love smaller posts that have more character so I won't be bidding on Paris/London any time soon but that's just me.

# ¿ Jul 24, 2009 00:58

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Omits-Bagels posted:

Interesting, I never thought of that aspect. Do they pas differently based on location?
What kind of places/locations would you like to be posted?

I liked some of the strangest places. I thought Khartoum was awesome when I was there, but Mauritius was great too. I'd like to go to eastern europe personally, maybe Croatia?

# ¿ Jul 24, 2009 04:00

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

How much Eve playing did you get done in these locations? More to the point, these are some fairly off the grid places, what kind of internet connection did you have at your disposal.

Also, what is DoS language training like, do you get a lot of opportunity to learn languages or is it more focused at getting good at one or two during your career?

Worst internet service in Africa? Pretoria.

Best? Rwanda and Senegal both were great. It really depends...

I don't know about language training unfortunately.

# ¿ Jul 24, 2009 13:45

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

What if you already have a background in a superhard language, does that reduce the training time? For instance, I'm between a 2 and a 3 in both Chinese and Japanese. Would I be starting at my current level in these languages and then advancing from there, or would I be starting at day one as if I never had any exposure and progressing through with a whole class of people.

If you can test to a certain level in the language then you don't have to take the language if you don't want to I believe. The problem is if you don't get assigned to China or Japan then those languages won't do you a whole lot of good if they assign you to Luanda.

# ¿ Jul 24, 2009 15:37

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

I would rather serve in Luanda

I can comfortably say no, you really wouldn't

# ¿ Jul 24, 2009 16:34

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Defleshed posted:

How is the State Dept. with families? Would I be able to go from post to post with my wife & kids?

Yes of course. They also offer spouse employment opportunities and they run some of the best private schools available.

# ¿ Jul 24, 2009 16:57

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Haji posted:

I'm also interested in employment opportunities for spouses. What is the hiring process like for spouses? I'm currently negotiating with my boyfriend about my applying for work as a FSO. The boyfriend works in IT as a Sys Admin. Would he be able to just walk into a job he's qualified for, or will he have as long of an application process as me? What benefits do spouses get? Can he get the same benefits as a Domestic Partner, or do we have to get married for him to get spouse benefits?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/23/gay-us-diplomats-to-recei_n_207116.html

Get your gay on!

As far as doing IT work it depends on the post as said. If you go to a larger post there might be a better chance of a position in the Unclassified computer office but it just really depends. I'd caution them to be ready to do whatever job is available at post or possibly work on the local economy (with the embassies help, they have programs to assist in this kind of thing).

I'd have them join up as an IMS and do tandem assignments as TCD said but they will be taken care of regardless.

# ¿ Jul 25, 2009 01:08

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Haji posted:

Not gay. M/F couple. We're just taking our time. Although, that article is just pure awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Good info. Thanks. Gives me more specific points to talk to the boyfriend about.

Do any Eastern Bloc countries have large posts? I'm torn between Management and Consular. And I am pretty fixated on Former Soviet states. I spent a large portion of my degree with Slavic studies and would like to spend some time enjoying some of the cultures.

Well given my recent experiences I can answer all your questions about Management! I can sign paperwork like a god drat champ now.

As far as large posts it really depends on the relationship we have with the country and the size of the country. If they are neutral or hostile to us, smaller post.

# ¿ Jul 25, 2009 04:10

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

What's the general gripe against consular work?

Instead of writing hard hitting cables detailing some minor political party nobody cares about even in the country you are living in you get to process visa applications and get new passports to dumb college kids who lost theirs in the bar district last night. Also you get to visit US citizens in prison from time to time. You can't be a nerd hiding behind a terminal writing papers, you have to actually work with the public directly, many of who aren't happy for a variety of reasons.

For the second part (anecdotal, it really does vary from post to post) consular officers here rotate through the different sections. Non immigrant visa, Immigrant visa, American citizen services.

# ¿ Jul 27, 2009 03:06

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Yeah that's one of the benefits of being a Specialist and not a Generalist. No language requirements, same pay scale, and we get overtime. You really want to type up that econ cable after hours that'll save the world? Hey two hours OT sounds awesome. I'll just play IM tag with friends or watch some hulu.

# ¿ Jul 28, 2009 03:30

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

I would love to see a similar pro/con breakdown of the management track.

Heh. Every item on the list would be both a pro and a con. My day's were full of making decisions about consulate tasks and leading around a team of "do'ers" accomplishing catch all things that other sections needed completed. Lots of budgetary crap and Human Resources stuff as well.

# ¿ Jul 30, 2009 17:51

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

Could you be more specific?

Sure but I'm not sure which part you want to know about. What can I elaborate about?

# ¿ Jul 31, 2009 13:51

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

An interesting aside I learned Friday. The cone you apply for MATTERS. If you sign up for Pol officer and don't make the cut (higher than most) but have a score that could get in one of the less desirable cones they won't just move you down. You could have scored high enough to be a consular officer but since you chose pol officer and barely missed it they just fail you. Just keep this in mind.

# ¿ Aug 3, 2009 03:04

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

TCD posted:

Nice thing about converting as a specialist.. we just need to get a passing oral exam score and we bypass the register.

Hey thinking of converting to MGMT from IT. Send me an email if there's an easy way because I'm signing up for that silly test as it is.

-edit-

Also one of the recruiters for IT jobs is a goon and is likely reading this thread and should chime in instead of being a big lazy butt. Not going to call him out but here I am calling him out.

# ¿ Aug 3, 2009 03:55

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

suboptimal posted:

This is for the USAID Foreign Service Officer positions. For context, I applied for this back in motherfucking March.

Your tax dollars at work.

Up until very recently USAID was seconds from being absorbed into State. I believe they've backed off on eating them like they did USIA but it was close.

# ¿ Aug 4, 2009 11:23

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

cernunnoswired posted:

Second question, if I've read this thread correctly, there is a higher standard for more competitive cones. Could someone clarify what that means? I'd be interested in either the political or consular cone. Do you need to do better on the test, ie score wise, to pass for the political cone vs the consular cone? Do they expect a person to be different personality wise for the political cone vs the consular? Can anyone shed some light on how exactly they evaluate who makes the cut?

Thanks!

It was explained to me like this:

Lets say you score a 5.7 on the test and you are going for a Political officer position. The cutoff (numbers out my rear end on this one) was 5.8 in this cycle since it was so competative so you don't get accepted.

Somebody could have gone in trying to get a Management position, scored a 5.4 and the cutoff was 5.3 for Management and would be given an offer of employment even though you scored better. It's not that Political officer is more difficult or anything, it's just that there are more people joining trying to be the next great political guru than there are people trying to join to manage the day to day operations of an embassy.

# ¿ Aug 4, 2009 18:24

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Just got my invitation today so they are definitely going through the queue.

# ¿ Sep 8, 2009 17:09

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

For those wondering what to study:

cliffsnotes.com
-Economics
-American Government
-US History

Know the constitution.

Also know not only where countries/capitals are, but also economic things like where the copper belt in Africa is. I'm hearing similar advice from several officers here at post so there you go.

# ¿ Sep 8, 2009 18:01

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

nesbit37 posted:

Thanks for the cliff notes suggestions. I have been mostly keeping up with The Economist and Newsweek and collecting a few practice tests. I was holding off on the practice tests until closer to test day, but now that its a month away I better start ramping things up.

When you say to know things like the African copper belt, is it just economic relevance geographically, or how those things effect the nations they are in? I can't imagine they get that in depth in a mostly multiple choice exam.

Hard to really put a finger on but it seems like they just want you to "know poo poo". Less specific figures and more general knowledge type things in the realm of US politics, history, and constitution and general economic "stuff" regarding other countries regions. I hope somebody else can chime in with something more specific cause I'm curious about that myself.

# ¿ Sep 8, 2009 19:29

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

I've passed the written exam twice now, once in 2004 and then again this year. They seem to have moved pretty far away from the "african copper belt" style question in the general knowledge section, and have a lot more really dumb computer related questions. For example "what software program do you use to 'browse' the internet?". I've never found much benefit in studying for the written test, but if it makes you feel better, the study guide is pretty accurate about what you should be doing. To get the best bang for your study-buck, review the constitution and especially the amendments and what they mean, major legislation of the 20th century (there is always a question about the War Powers Act), and major supreme court decisions (major like Brown vs Board, Plessy v Ferguson and Roe v Wade).

A thorough review of English grammar can help immensely on the language usage section. As for the biographical section, every time I see it all I can say is "what the gently caress". How that section gets graded is a complete mystery to me. I did prefer the written version of the biographical test to the computerized version. In the written version it was clear from the tiny amount of space that they gave you that you have to keep your examples very short. The computer version is misleading, it has a huge box to type in and the keyboard just cutting off at 120 characters.

As for the essay section, as far as I can tell grammar and spelling are more important than anything else. Last time I got a very poorly worded, extremely ambiguous essay question, and spent the first half the test writing and rewriting the same two paragraphs uncertain whether I was on the right track. Finally I just wrote down some bullshit that, in retrospect, wasn't much more coherent than the question itself. I passed, barely, so they must not have cared too much about the actual strength of argument.

It used to be the case that you had to score in the top 15%, and you automatically qualified for the oral exam. Now you pass if you score in the top 50% but then go to the QEP.

Anything beyond major landmark decisions or just basic stuff like you'd find on this site?

http://www.landmarkcases.org/

# ¿ Sep 8, 2009 21:14

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

There's nothing wrong with being posted in Africa professionally. I have never been aware of any AF bureau stigma or anything along those lines.

# ¿ Sep 11, 2009 01:19

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

TCD posted:

Go IMS not one of the tech spots.

HEY.

I can answer all your questions about being an IMTS! You have two levels of post you can go to really unlike an IMS who can be sent pretty much anywhere (for good or bad). Your initial assignment is ~usually~ Springfield VA which is just south of the beltway loop in the DC metro area. You spend two years there learning how to be a State tech and doing a few trips overseas to either install something or fix something. Your first two years are considered training for the most part and it's really for the best because when you go overseas as a permanent change of station you're expected to know what you are doing already.

Where you go really depends on your specialty. You will be assigned to a Regional Information Management Center (RIMC) which is a hub covering a geographical region. From there you'll go on the road 25-50% of the time travelling to embassies and consulates fixing things and walking on water. It's a great job if you're single or want to make a shitload of money because you will make a shitload of money. Sometimes there is enough work at a specific post to require that an IMTS be stationed there permanently so if you get one of those positions you'll travel a lot less but you're still administratively controlled by the governing RIMC and not the post you're at.

It really depends on what kind of experience you want. If you want to travel a lot and swim in silo's full of money like Scrooge mcduck then IMTS is great. If you have a family and want to stay at one post for 3 years at a time then maybe IMS is a bit better. It's hilariously easy to switch between the two however so it might be worth it to go IMTS and change over after you get in (that's what I'm doing).

# ¿ Sep 21, 2009 16:46

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Drewby Drewby Drew posted:

Thanks AKA Pseudonym, TCD and Vilerat!

Other than the part where Vilerat says, "You have two levels of post you can go to really unlike an IMS who can be sent pretty much anywhere (for good or bad)," it seems like IMTS is the position that is more likely to have you moving around more, correct?

Yes. IMTS are by rule travelling technicians. You will be on the road a lot and you will see a lot more of the world than an IMS. Always wanted to visit Kinshasa? You can! (and then you get to go back home to Pretoria and be glad you don't live in Kinshasa). IMS are stationed in one post and spend the entire time working there until it's time to go to the next post.

quote:

That's really great that it's easy to switch between the two.

State is exceptionally good at letting you do excursion tours doing things outside your job. I could for example bid on a Management officer position as an IMTS and have a shot at getting it provided it's in a place nobody wants to go and the competition is light. They don't lock you down at all.

quote:

Now here's a question that isn't answered on their medical/health FAQ.

Does taking any kind of medication for any mental health issue immediately disqualify or significantly decrease your chances of being accepted? I know with Peace Corps it pretty much sends your application to the shredder.

Worldwide availability and security clearance are the two things that it might impact. Can you be sent to some shithole where your meds might be delayed because of a customs snafu without killing everybody? It really depends on the mental illness. I can't find anything on our Intranet discussing it but this might help:

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blsecmental.htm

Seems to indicate that if it's controlled then it shouldn't be an issue.

# ¿ Sep 21, 2009 19:21

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Drewby Drewby Drew posted:

Thanks again guys. I appreciate your answers.

I'm not taking meds for anything serious. They are all generic/uncontrolled and not needed to keep me from being suicidal/homicidal. I'm thinking of tapering off them anyway.

Another question while I'm posting, what educational backgrounds do you IMS and ITMS guys have? Certifications?

2 year community college of the air force associates degree and 7 years radio experience in the USAF. It's a sliding scale, more education/less experience.

BA/BS Degree (with a related minor) 0 years
OR
AAS Degree or Equivalent 0 years
OR
Technical Certificate(s) or 26 weeks of Specialized Training 1 years
OR
Technical Certificate(s) or 10 weeks of Specialized Training 2 years

It's my personal opinion that if the person who I think is going to be reviewing your application package is still the same person then it's more likely just a quick checkbox on a qualification checklist. I wouldn't stress too much about it.

quote:

When you applied where were you in terms of knowing or having experience with of the items listed on the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (and to a lesser degree the DESIRED EXPERIENCE)?

My experience with radio was limited to my time as a 2E1X3 in the USAF and it all directly applied to this job. I hate radio work though so it was purely a foot in the door and it worked out. I don't know about Digital though, but for the most part they install/troubleshoot servers and run fiber. Every post is mostly the same with the same kind of servers running Win 2k3 and exchange so if you know that stuff at all you're fine. They go out of their way to send you to get further education so if you have the bare requirements you'll have all the free opportunities in the world to get every cert known to man.

# ¿ Sep 22, 2009 12:57

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Surprised we haven't set up a state email chain at this point.

# ¿ Sep 22, 2009 15:50

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Suntory BOSS posted:

I completed the FSOT Registration several months ago under the Political Cone, and signed up for the exam on October 9th. I know how impossible it is to change cones later down the line, but is it possible at this early stage (prior to taking the exam)? If so, how would I go about doing it?

Email the help desk for the testing company. They are fairly quick at responding.

FSOT@Act.org

# ¿ Sep 25, 2009 14:43

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Skandiaavity posted:

I was just having words with some state employees the other day - they mentioned that for a specialist position, FSOT is not needed despite it being a FS Job. (apologies if you've already answered this) Is it possible to backdoor one's way through Specialist - Officer position?

Yes, but...

First off let me dispell any preconceptions about Specialist/Generalist. This is not an Enlisted/Officer relationship at all in fact the pay scales are identical. Specialists come in with a qualifying set of skills already and do not take the exam, Generalists come in with no specific experience/training set and must pass the exam.

That aside yes there are two main paths to cross over without taking the exam.
WALL OF TEXT

quote:

5. CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FS SPECIALIST TO FS
GENERALIST

This section covers skill code change applications for FS
specialist-to-generalist. (Ref: 3 FAH-1 2650) Note that
3 FAH-1 is in revision to reflect the changes in
requirements noted in this announcement.

A) Minimum eligibility requirements:

1) Must be tenured.

2) Must have a minimum of five years creditable service
with the U.S. Government.

3) By September 30, 2009, must have served a minimum of
30 months out of the previous six years in positions that
perform the functions of the desired skill code (or 20
months in such positions if all 20 months was spent at
unaccompanied posts).

4) Candidates who meet minimum time requirements will be
evaluated based on the criteria outlined in paragraph
8(B).

5) Writing Sample Requirement: FS specialists
provisionally recommended for conversion to generalist
skill codes by the Skill Code Change/Conversion Panel
will be required to submit a proctored writing sample
which will be graded by the FS Board of Examiners.
Failure to receive a passing grade on the writing sample
will disqualify the applicant.

B) Other factors:

1) Application at Current Grade Level Only: FS
specialists can apply for conversion to FS generalist
only at their current grade level, i.e., an 02 specialist
can only apply for 02 generalist opportunities; he/she
may not, for example, apply for an 03 generalist
opportunity. Although there is no immediate promotion if
a skill code change is approved, tenured FS specialists
at the FP-04 level or below are considered to be at-grade
for FO-03 generalist conversion opportunities. However,
after tenure (see para. 9), a successful FS specialist
candidate for generalist skill code conversion shall be
administratively promoted to and commissioned as a class
FS-04 generalist, once he/she has the necessary language
proficiency. If the employee, at the time of application
or before the date of commission, is at a higher grade,
he/she will be commissioned at that higher grade.

2) Conversion Before Age 60: All conversions must be made
before the candidate's 60th birthday, because all
candidates must be able to complete at least two full
tours of duty, exclusive of orientation and training,
before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.

3) Time in Management Sub-Functions: Time spent in the
management sub-functions (i.e. GSO, HRO, FMO) counts
toward the minimum 30 (or 20, if applicable) months for
conversion to Management generalist. However, applicants
who are GSO, HRO or FMO specialists should serve at least
18 months in a position which is considered "out of cone"
for them (e.g., a GSO specialist doing an HRO or FMO job,
or an HRO specialist doing a GSO or FMO job, etc.) to be
considered competitive.

Basically you fill that role somewhere for 3 years and you can convert over. There's a bit more to it but it's not too terribly difficult if you plan your bidding appropriately. As a specialist I can bid on Generalist positions competatively if the post sucks and nobody wants to go there. After 3 years I can apply to switch over to do that job full time.

There's another program designed for junior officers to switch over between Specialist and Generalist but I can't seem to find it right now. Think it was called the phoenix program or something but I'm drawing a blank.

# ¿ Oct 1, 2009 17:03

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Skandiaavity posted:

Vilerat, you mentioned an IT Recruiter is a goon - have a place where I could talk or perhaps send a resume?

Paging the popes toes to this thread!

Also the pay scales are identical between Specialist/Generalist and your housing/utilities are all covered if you aren't based stateside.

# ¿ Oct 1, 2009 21:07

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

TCD posted:

In country now... Good times.

Edit: Also the DS Agent position is open right now. I think I am going to take the FSOT sooner rather than later...

I take it Tuesday. I wasn't going to and I'm really not sure if it's worth taking a grade cut to go Generalist if I make it but they are holding it here at post so figured why not?

# ¿ Oct 4, 2009 13:46

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Defleshed posted:

Yeah, I can see that. Especially looking around at the dumbfounded looking mouth-breathing "Joe College" types that were there.

Ugh. No pressure if I fail it

# ¿ Oct 4, 2009 17:27

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Took it today as well. The General knowledge section was really easy and that pissed me off because I studied the hell out of whatever I could. It was a lot more basic and dumbed down than I expected. The Grammar section was tricky for me for some reason and if I don't pass it'll be because of death by comma. The essay was a little tricky but I don't think I did too bad. If I had to take a guess I'd say I probably made it through but this is my first time taking it so I don't know what the relative cutoff is.

This is more of a lateral move for me so there's not a lot of stress about it either way but I was expecting it to be a lot tougher than it was.

# ¿ Oct 6, 2009 23:51

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

Am I crazy for wanting to get into DoS now so I can be in on the ground floor as it transforms into the State Department that we should have?

That depends. Does spending 8-10 hours a day processing Visa applications while dealing with Irate public who paid 300 bucks for the visa app process only to get denied and receive no refund sound good to you? How about living in shitstainia where the only entertainment is slightly passable pizza restaurant and weekly movie night at the Marine house for three years? That sound good? That's the real foreign service, not so much delivering high level demarches and forming foreign policy, that only happens when you're old and gray. That aside it IS fun and I highly reccomend it to anybody who thinks moving to a new country every three years sounds fun and who wouldn't mind giving up a lot of creature comforts in order to experience something people only read about.

Focus on all that because while there are going to likely be a lot of changes coming soon that address a lot of the underlying discontent the core of the job remains the same.

# ¿ Oct 9, 2009 12:59

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

xanthig posted:

Maybe I should rephrase the original question so that it is clearer. What are the chances that State becomes the organization that has been suggested, i.e. a counter-balancne DOD's role of war making, taking over the management of America's non-war making overseas initiatives.

Who knows? It's impossible to say right now and there's nothing tangible yet. Yeah I was putting a half empty outlook there but don't take that to mean I dislike it. I love the work and the environment, I just want to make sure everybody knows what they could be getting into. For every shithole you could go to you could instead get sent someplace awesome and fun. Shitholes can be fun too, but you have to like adventure.

# ¿ Oct 9, 2009 20:27

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

TCD posted:

A few things... first, Vile has been to some shitstanias or close to it while in the FS.. have you?

I mean, yes if you're going to take a chance at volunteer or do a wild expat living, then yes your outlook is mostly accurate.

However, you still have things like power outages (oh hey generator is of fuel whoops) or hot water goes out. Etc. I mean, it's not cush living guaranteed as you will have to put up with some hardships.

Also, pubbie tears... you do realize you're the public face of America when overseas right? I mean, stamping visas and denying people is part of the job, but enjoying that poo poo is pretty reprehensible when you are in their country.

As for change? I will believe it when I see it. State changes slow... very very slow.
Edit: Also writing this from a Cafe with internet, which I got an awesome case of food poisoning from last weekend... It's one of the few places we can get internet outside of work, because it takes a month or two to get internet to your residence.

Speaking of shitholes, hows Kigali?

# ¿ Oct 10, 2009 17:05

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

ProdigalSon posted:

This is an interesting perspective that definitely contrasts with my own experience living overseas and meeting people who work in the US consulate. To summarize:

People who work in the consulate usually seem to isolate themselves to the consulate itself, their home, and the most accessible western bar and restaurant. They don't learn the local language, all of their friends are American, and it seems like they might as well be back at home since they spend most of their off-time watching DVDs at home or drinking beers with other people who work in the consulate. They most likely get paid more than the majority of other foreigners but they appear to live somewhat of a meaningless existence.

This is my anecdotal evidence and I don't mean to contradict the reports of people who've actually done this kind of work because I have not. However, I have spent several years living nearly across the street from an American consulate in Asia, meeting half a dozen or so people who work in the consulate so I don't think I'm totally off base. But with the US consulate being a fortress guarded 24/7 by armed guards and it being mostly filled with people who probably have a very limited understanding of what's happening outside those walls, people who work in the consulate don't carry the best reputation.

Well we're only there between 2-3 years and it's very difficult to learn a language without formal education if you aren't immersed. If you don't have some sort of angle into the local community it gets brutal trying to break in the social circles.

# ¿ Oct 10, 2009 19:06

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

ProdigalSon posted:

Those are good points - I'm just reporting the situation as I see it from outside of the consulate. I'm sure there's a lot about working there that I don't know.

Another fun fact: They only send people to language training if their actual job requires it which most of the people don't actually get.

# ¿ Oct 10, 2009 19:47

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# ¿ Apr 28, 2024 06:20

Vilerat: May 11, 2002

Happydayz posted:

DoD has a congressional constituency. Who does State have?

We don't even get combat zone tax exemptions! I think that answers that.

# ¿ Oct 11, 2009 19:39

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > US Foreign Service & FSOT Megathread: Where Dreams Come True & Even Lawyers Get Jobs

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