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Foreign Service and grad school
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Date: June 23rd, 2009 11:10 AM
If you want a foreign policy job in DC, great, go for the high power masters, but for those who want to work in the foreign service, just know, it's not a huge help. I'm an FSO, I came in with a BA and no experience, and I know many colleagues who have a varied career path -- and I can't think of anyone who has benefited from a high profile MA degree.
I've never had anyone ask about my degree when I sought a position, and I've never asked someone interested in a position where they went to school -- all that matters in the foreign service is what you've done in the Foreign Service.
So, if the Foreign Service is your goal, and what you want to make your career (rather than just a way-post job), don't think you have to spend big dollars for the best schools and an MA. IMHO. |
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Date: June 23rd, 2009 11:16 AM
I think it's interesting that many other country's foreign services have higher standards for their employees than we do in terms of education and language ability (almost every other FS REQUIRES foreign language ability for instance). Furthermore, our written examination is easier then most other exams. Many of our FSOs would never make into other foreign services, such as the British and German ones. Instead, we filter our applicants based on a bizarre examination - the oral exam - that introduces a lot of randomness into the process.
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Date: June 23rd, 2009 12:21 PM |
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Date: June 23rd, 2009 12:49 PM
I'm saying this as someone that has passed the exam, so it's not bitterness talking. |
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Date: June 25th, 2009 9:57 AM
present company excluded |
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Date: November 7th, 2009 1:05 PM
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Date: June 23rd, 2009 3:14 PM
Disclaimer: I don't know sh*t about how the foreign service works. I'm enrolling in IR/PS this August and plan to take the exam in Feb' 10. It isn't my number one chose after graduation, but I wouldn't mind having it as an option. |
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Date: June 24th, 2009 3:07 PM
I'll be starting a grad program this fall, with an expected graduation time of 2011. I also just took the June FSOT. Hypothetically, if I passed the exam and went on to pass the Oral Assessment and was offered a FSO job, would they let me finish my graduate degree?
I'm fairly sure I've heard someone, on some forum, mention that they had a conditional offer from the State Dept. Basically, they have the job once they finish their grad program. Anyone else hear of that? |
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Date: June 24th, 2009 6:07 PM |
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Date: June 24th, 2009 9:08 PM
want live togeths? ^_^ |
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Date: June 24th, 2009 11:11 PM |
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Date: June 25th, 2009 1:50 PM |
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Date: June 26th, 2009 9:05 AM
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Date: July 14th, 2009 3:43 PM
Would be curious to hear what anyone knows about finishing masters and accepting FSO post. |
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Date: July 15th, 2009 3:08 PM |
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Date: July 15th, 2009 4:18 PM |
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Date: July 16th, 2009 1:42 PM |
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Date: July 16th, 2009 10:13 PM
Take the exams and then put all of it in the back of your head, and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised |
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Date: July 16th, 2009 3:26 PM |
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Date: October 14th, 2009 2:42 AM |
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Date: November 4th, 2009 5:35 PM |