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I made the mistake of sending out a mass email without getting office clearance first. Let's just say I won't be making that mistake again. And I'm glad I decided not to CC the DAS after all. 
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Oct 9, 2015 03:32
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Hah, well I found out this week the hard way that no, I don't actually have release authority, oops. #thingsELOIMSdo
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Oct 9, 2015 05:19
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So I was talking to someone in the FSO earlier today and as people have said, life for couples is really loving hard.  This makes me sad since this means my relationship and career plans run fairly counter to each other.What sort of assistance can the State Department provide? Do you guys have any other general advice? My girlfriend studies Opera Singing so it's not like her field is easily shifted around... Failing all that...is there someplace I can work domestically that also is at least tangentially similar to the FSO? I think I would enjoy the kind of work involved. Research or analysis? Who knows. I'm all ears since I might be taking a sharp turn in my career aspirations sometime in the near future.
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Oct 9, 2015 05:24
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Artificer posted:So I was talking to someone in the FSO earlier today and as people have said, life for couples is really loving hard. If your partner insists on having their own non USG career, yeah it's challenging. My wife and I just had this conversation the other day and we went over some of the things we've done. We've seen the great migration across the savannah along with the big 5. We've walked around the pyramids. We've been drenched by the mist from Iguazu Falls. We've stood at the base of Torres Del Paine. We've looked down at Machu Pichu from Huayna Pichu. We've been on wine tours in Bordeaux and Douro Valley. We've rafted the Nile through class 5 rapids which are now damed up. We're not even 35 yet but we have plans to see more. Sure, if we were back in the States we'd be making a little more money and she'd have a career but we wouldn't be enjoying life like this... Now to plan our next trip. All that said, she'd still found meaningful work in each of our posts. She helped open up the Kigali Public Library including getting some of the first books cleared through customs in her capacity as a Rotarian. So yeah it's hard but there's some amazing opportunities. You just need to evaluate if it's worth it for one spouse to give up their career for the other.
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Oct 9, 2015 09:25
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TCD posted:If your partner insists on having their own non USG career, yeah it's challenging. My wife and I just had this conversation the other day and we went over some of the things we've done. We've seen the great migration across the savannah along with the big 5. We've walked around the pyramids. We've been drenched by the mist from Iguazu Falls. We've stood at the base of Torres Del Paine. We've looked down at Machu Pichu from Huayna Pichu. We've been on wine tours in Bordeaux and Douro Valley. We've rafted the Nile through class 5 rapids which are now damed up. We're not even 35 yet but we have plans to see more. This is a great post. I'll just add that life as an EFM definitely needs to be an active choice. Not just a "oh we'll figure it out," or "something will happen." His/her priorities/aspirations/happiness need just as much attention as your job, and that can mean being brave, trying tons of new things, and saying yes -- often while you're not around. e: also, if you hate it, just leave!
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Oct 9, 2015 09:52
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The Mantis posted:This is a great post. In those examples only one of them was part of a TDY (training in Cairo). When we talked about the trade offs of her not having a good career, we determined for us, a job in the States would just be a means to an end for international trips which is what we both really enjoy. Right now, we can be in most cities in Europe in less than 3 hours on tickets that cost less than 200 dollars. If you're the type of couple that's enjoys staying at home, shopping at mega supermarkets and never trying to learn a foreign language, yeah this isn't the right career. The regional travel opportunities that the FS provides is amazing. Depending on the cone and post, the job can be okay. But sometimes, even as an IMS, you can be part of or helped things happen that "made a difference" for the USG and our country. That's awesome. Being able to duck over to Paris for a romantic weekend for less than $500 is just a perk that makes this one of the best gigs in the USG  So yeah, as a couple this lifestyle can be challenging but it can be amazing if you take full advantage of all the possibilities. Just don't expect it to be easy. TCD fucked around with this message at 10:47 on Oct 9, 2015 |
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Oct 9, 2015 10:44
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I have to say, reading over more of this thread before and after my question got answered, I get more and more excited about this possibility. I know it's a long-shot that takes time but man I hope I can get in. You guys have mentioned both the downsides and the upsides and the latter far outweighs the former for me. (She says, before her dreams come true and she gets stationed in Russia and regrets not having focused more on somewhere like, say, the Bahamas).
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Oct 9, 2015 16:33
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TCD posted:Right now, we can be in most cities in Europe in less than 3 hours on tickets that cost less than 200 dollars. This is what is so awesome. I'm trying to plan a last minute trip and there are just too many options.
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Oct 9, 2015 20:52
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Welp. I wonder what's the over/under on her being able to sing if I get assigned abroad somewhere? Maybe it could be possible in China but probably not if I'm in Africa somewhere...
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Oct 9, 2015 21:48
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Tendai posted:In terms of education, would people say coming in with a Masters is a good idea or if I just hold an undergraduate degree are there still opportunities? My next year or so is basically either doing the FSOT and trying my damnedest to get down a career path in that or getting into graduate school and going for some manner of international relations-relevant graduate work. Or both at the same time depending on things. Is it worth it for the edge to go deeper down the academic path or is it not going to be too noticeable? You might consider applying for a Pickering or Rangell fellowship - those would get you an MA in IR of some variety, plus experience at State in internships.
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Oct 9, 2015 23:52
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Artificer posted:Welp. I wonder what's the over/under on her being able to sing if I get assigned abroad somewhere? Our consulate has an a capella group that sings at all kinda of functions. You can always make your own fun if job opportunities aren't available.
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Oct 10, 2015 01:46
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If local laws/post regulations permit it, she could freelance teach.
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Oct 10, 2015 02:11
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the_chavi posted:You might consider applying for a Pickering or Rangell fellowship - those would get you an MA in IR of some variety, plus experience at State in internships.
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Oct 10, 2015 03:07
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Artificer posted:So I was talking to someone in the FSO earlier today and as people have said, life for couples is really loving hard. I think it's all perspective and circumstance. Being a single dude in a distant African family post is one of the hardest thing I've ever done. I don't think it's that hard for couples to be honest. Of course, I'm saying this as someone not in a relationship. But if your spouse is cool working at the mission in a clerical capacity or possibly getting a professional job through one of the family member programs at the mission then it's a sweet gig. Travel the world cheap, don't pay rent, make great money with two of you. Then when you have kids, get great medical care overseas on States dime, send them to the best schools, have tons of time off for paternity leave. But if your spouse if a high flying type A career person and sacrificing that to join you, your relationship is probably screwed, sorry.
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Oct 10, 2015 06:43
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Artificer posted:Welp. I wonder what's the over/under on her being able to sing if I get assigned abroad somewhere? Working on the local economy is a "it depends" answer.
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Oct 10, 2015 10:22
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Massive bombing in Ankara this morning at a pro-peace rally, at least 86 dead. gently caress everything/one. (COM accountability complete. But still.)
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Oct 10, 2015 15:18
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the_chavi posted:Massive bombing in Ankara this morning at a pro-peace rally, at least 86 dead. gently caress everything/one. Thanks for the reminder that this FS life is serious business. Thanks to all who serve.
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Oct 10, 2015 21:55
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the_chavi posted:Massive bombing in Ankara this morning at a pro-peace rally, at least 86 dead. gently caress everything/one. Apparently it was a pro-peace with the kurds, pro war on America rally. Not that it changes anything in the end. Speech and the ability to safely assemble are important, no matter the message.
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Oct 11, 2015 01:09
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QuackAttackAggie posted:Apparently it was a pro-peace with the kurds, pro war on America rally. What are you talking about? There's only one party in Turkey that would remotely support the latter half of that statement, and they're the ones who would be happiest with arresting/bombing every Kurd in the country. The pro-Kurdish party that organized the rally - and if the reports I read yesterday are correct, at least one of their MPs was killed in the blasts - is absolutely not anti-American.
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Oct 11, 2015 16:53
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the_chavi posted:What are you talking about? There's only one party in Turkey that would remotely support the latter half of that statement, and they're the ones who would be happiest with arresting/bombing every Kurd in the country. The pro-Kurdish party that organized the rally - and if the reports I read yesterday are correct, at least one of their MPs was killed in the blasts - is absolutely not anti-American.
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Oct 11, 2015 16:54
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Tendai posted:I was somewhat bewildered by that as well as I didn't think those two areas intersected all that much. They don't at all, at least in Turkey.
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Oct 11, 2015 17:25
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the_chavi posted:What are you talking about? There's only one party in Turkey that would remotely support the latter half of that statement, and they're the ones who would be happiest with arresting/bombing every Kurd in the country. The pro-Kurdish party that organized the rally - and if the reports I read yesterday are correct, at least one of their MPs was killed in the blasts - is absolutely not anti-American. I don't speak or read the language. Just going off tweets from reporters translating what the banners in the background said with the communist symbols. Wouldn't surprise me if they were wrong (and it'd probably be widely reported if they were right). It didn't seem like a hostile protest in any of the videos I saw. QuackAttackAggie fucked around with this message at 17:42 on Oct 11, 2015 |
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Oct 11, 2015 17:36
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QuackAttackAggie posted:I don't speak or read the language. Just going off tweets from reporters translating what the banners in the background said with the communist symbols. Wouldn't surprise me if they were wrong (and it'd probably be widely reported if they were right). It didn't seem like a hostile protest in any of the videos I saw. Er.... Nevermind.
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Oct 11, 2015 22:15
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QuackAttackAggie posted:I don't speak or read the language. Just going off tweets from reporters translating what the banners in the background said with the communist symbols. Wouldn't surprise me if they were wrong (and it'd probably be widely reported if they were right). It didn't seem like a hostile protest in any of the videos I saw. The communists in Turkey - all three hundred of them - show up to pretty much every rally that is or is perceived to be anti-government. Gay pride parade? Gay communists! Armenian rights demonstrations? Communists discover their Armenian roots! Kurdish rights? Oh gently caress yeah the communists will be there. Judging what actually was and what has almost universally been reported as a pro-Kurdish rally by the signs held by communists is to be quite credulous. TL;DR: don't believe everything you read in the media, especially in the immediate aftermath of a major terrorist attack. the_chavi fucked around with this message at 23:51 on Oct 11, 2015 |
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Oct 11, 2015 23:49
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Edited to fix a duplicate post. I need a drink.
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Oct 11, 2015 23:50
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I don't suppose any of you fellas know what working as a Domestic Civil Service dude is like? Edit: This is spurred by my continual interest in the field but the realization that I might not be able to reconcile a FSO career with my relationship, with which I'm rather attached to. Artificer fucked around with this message at 06:57 on Oct 12, 2015 |
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Oct 12, 2015 06:32
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Artificer posted:I don't suppose any of you fellas know what working as a Domestic Civil Service dude is like? I'm a Civil Service employee with State. What do you want to know?
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Oct 12, 2015 13:37
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zzonkmiles posted:I'm a Civil Service employee with State. What do you want to know? Well, for starters, what is it that you do? Why did you decide to go into that job? And how's job satisfaction? 
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Oct 12, 2015 16:58
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zzonkmiles posted:I'm a Civil Service employee with State. What do you want to know? foreign affairs officer - how likely is it to get a FAO job without employment preference or PMF?
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Oct 12, 2015 23:18
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Happydayz posted:foreign affairs officer - how likely is it to get a FAO job without employment preference or PMF? Impossible, based on my husband's experience. =/
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Oct 13, 2015 01:13
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the_chavi posted:Impossible, based on my husband's experience. =/ Welp. That...sucks. drat.
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Oct 13, 2015 01:37
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Job satisfaction, from everything that I hear with CS employees, is probably one of the bigger "It Depends." Mainly on who is the boss at the time and takes a very good reading of office dynamics. Hope all our Embassy bros in Ankara are safe :|
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Oct 13, 2015 09:27
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Artificer posted:Well, for starters, what is it that you do? Why did you decide to go into that job? And how's job satisfaction? I have managed foreign assistance programs in Afghanistan (although based in DC) and done budget/strategic planning as a civil servant. The former job was probably sexier superficially, as it involved in a lot of travel and time in overseas and allowed me to be responsible for a big pot of money. I think I like the budget stuff better, although I can see myself bouncing back and forth between the two. I took the first job as a PMF because that's where the offer came from, and I had some (very limited) background with South Asia and with the types of programs I was designing and implementing. I took the budget job because I wanted to do something different, and budget formulation/planning seemed pretty interesting and like a useful skill to have. The bureau that I work in has a very high number of DC-based civil servants, so the culture is pretty conducive to understanding the career development of a civil servant and to moving up to mid-level leadership positions. Whenever I've done rotations or details outside it's been kind of hit or miss. I don't know any foreign affairs officers in my bureau who were hired outside of the PMF or other career entry programs.
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Oct 13, 2015 21:05
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Bidding, a haiku. What am I doing looking now so far afield that wasn't the plan
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Oct 14, 2015 23:34
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Business of Ferrets posted:Bidding, a haiku. Where did you get sent to?
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Oct 14, 2015 23:51
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Artificer posted:Where did you get sent to? Still unknown, though it looks like I'll probably get my top choice. When I went back and checked, that post wasn't on my initial list of desire assignments. Amazing how things develop!
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Oct 15, 2015 01:24
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Business of Ferrets posted:Bidding, a haiku. This is pretty good
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Oct 15, 2015 09:43
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Bloodnose posted:How do you schedule a language test with your OA? When I did the LNA OA it was just included as part of the process but I know I can score substantially higher now so I want to do it again. For anyone else who might need this, the answer is to search for FSI testing on OpenNet and then log in to a system that is broken and won't accept your login so you send an email to the office instead and then they ask you when you wanna take your test and then you tell them and they schedule it for you.
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Oct 15, 2015 10:03
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Oh bidding... What a lovely game of diplomacy.
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Oct 15, 2015 23:09
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Artificer posted:Well, for starters, what is it that you do? Why did you decide to go into that job? And how's job satisfaction? I'm a program analyst in ECA (Educational and Cultural Affairs). I monitor some of the exchange visitor programs, create and send visa documentation to our embassies abroad, and refer cases of misconduct involving exchange visitors and program sponsors. My job satisfaction is quite high, especially since my two previous federal jobs were summa cum lousy. I decided to go for this job (which involved a demotion) because I liked the idea of working with international students and visitors and could use my skills as a cross-cultural communicator and writer. I have the opportunity for domestic travel, but no foreign travel. My boss is very fair and understanding. I have pleasant and intelligent coworkers. I rarely feel bored at work; there's always something to do. Be warned that State is very difficult to get into. And the Civil Service route may be even more difficult to succeed in than the Foreign Service route because there are fewer openings and there's always the threat of an inside hire sabotaging your chances at an interview. Job announcements for State tend to fall into one of these four categories: 1. Short-term detail assignments for current State employees. (Think of these as TDY assignments that are not advertised to the general public.) 2. Open only to current State Department employees. (They usually have the required security clearance and already have the institutional knowledge.) 3. Open to all current and former federal employees. (I got my job at State from this kind of announcement.) 4. Open to all US citizens. (Good luck with this one.) Most job announcements that I've seen tend to fall into category 2, followed by 3. Public announcements for all US citizens occasionally pop up, but you are then competing with A TON of people and it's quite hard to make the cert (shortlist for interviews). Several people in my office got into State by taking demotions or by making lateral transfers. If you really want to work for State, you may have to be more flexible with what jobs you are willing to take or how much money you are willing to make. When you have more than 500 applicants for one job opening, you tend to be a bit less picky with what you're willing to work for.
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Oct 16, 2015 02:44
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