Ever considered joining the Foreign Service?

[LeesburgSkinFan]

I'm thinking of taking the Foreign Service exam next April...I've lived abroad in the past while in the Army and I enjoyed it, so why not give it a try? I currently work for the govt and was thinking this might be an interesting change. Anyone here know anyone who works in the FS, or have you ever thought of doing so yourself?

[tizzod]

I worked at the US Embassy in Ottawa for 2 years. Was kind of a "dream" of mine, I guess, to be a foreign service worker at an Embassy.

Turned out to be pretty disappointing. Very cliquish, the foreign nationals working there were nice to your face but super snotty behind your back, and a lot of people there was just there for the free rent and the cash and didn't seem to be too motivated to do a good job.

Maybe I should have continued at another Embassy to compare and contrast, but that left kind of a sour taste in my mouth. Of course, I could have played it up in my head too much before I even started and that could have contributed.

Oh, and if you are young and single, it's difficult. Lots of older people and families....and sometimes it's a bit difficult to fit in with the citizens.

But I just had one experience. Who knows, it could be a lot better somewhere else!

Having said that, though, I definitely say take the test and give it a shot. Great way to see the world, and it can be a good, stable, rewarding career. Good luck with it!

[project myu]

Also for what it's worth, it seems like while you submit a list of locations you'd prefer, it's completely at their discretion. So there's a good chance you will go to an "undesirable" location at least once.

[Mass_SkinsFan]

No. Not at all. Dealing with foreigners all the time is not my idea of an interesting or enjoyable way to make a living or spend my time. Besides, I don't speak anything other than English, so I wouldn't be very useful to the Foreign Service.

[Redskins Diehard]

I am a GS with State so work with a lot of FS folks. An article from this weeks Post that you might find interesting. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...121101415.html

[Thanos]

I took the test and pased but went in another directiuon and still saw the world in another capacity.Worked with DoS folks and almost vomited.Very parochial in thinking and the equipment is archaic to say the least.

[Dan T.]

I've hear the exam is a real bear. Get studying soon if you plan to take it. Good luck.

[jpillian]

Completely disappointed with all DoS personnel I worked with in Iraq. Just some of the biggest a-holes that I've met. It literally changed my career path. I was set to apply for DoS/FS (or Intel community) positions after getting out of the military. The experience completely soured my perspective and convinced me to head into the private sector. The folks I was working with were moreorless the pinacle of my would be career path -- and complete and total douche bags. Just very selfish individuals and poor team players. I'm sure they made a marvelous impression with the Iraqis.

Now I'm sure that is not true for everyone in that line of work, but it was conclusive enough for me to talk me off of that particular ledge.

[Larry]

Many (many, many) years ago worked with two guys who were both former crypto officers in the FS. (They were managing the Pizza Hut I worked at.)

Both of them said that it was a great group to work with. Both of them said it was a mistake to get out.

OTOH, both of them had some really "interesting" stories to tell. The Hispanic one did a lot of locations in Latin America, and mentioned that he, personally had joined in mobs of people, and had even personally thrown rocks at a US Embassy, until he was close enough to the gate to scoot through. (The Marines recognized him.)

(He also mentioned that there was, of course, a lot of bureaucracy involved, too. After he'd been out for a few years, he missed it. He looked up some old bosses who were working in DC who wanted him back, he re-applied, got accepted.

And then he had to re-apply for his crypto clearance. The form had a blank: "List all foreign travel". He put "refer to State Department records", but they told him that wasn't good enough. He had to list all foreign travel. By date. And the guys who do background checks would have to conduct interviews in every place he's been. Check references. Interview neighbors.

This guy had gone through three passports because they'd run out of pages to stamp them. And all of his travel had been "under orders", and with crypto clearance.

He figured that, if he did sit down and spend a month filling out the paperwork, the clearance would still take about 10 years to come through, so he said F it.)

[Zuck]

I'm thinking of taking the Foreign Service exam next April...I've lived abroad in the past while in the Army and I enjoyed it, so why not give it a try? I currently work for the govt and was thinking this might be an interesting change. Anyone here know anyone who works in the FS, or have you ever thought of doing so yourself?

I grew up a foreign service brat and enjoyed moving around a bunch. My dad started in the congo, went to Brussels, South Korea, Mexico City, Ottawa, Brazilia. He worked for the foreign service for years and years and really enjoyed it.

I guess it depends on what type of work you'd be doing and where you are stationed.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

No. Not at all. Dealing with foreigners all the time is not my idea of an interesting or enjoyable way to make a living or spend my time. Besides, I don't speak anything other than English, so I wouldn't be very useful to the Foreign Service.

You should learn spanish MSF. It is the second most spoken language in the US. It might even be first one day.