Finding Foreign Service - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

inkriminator · 10-26-2005, 06:40 PM

Hopefully I'll be graduating in May '06 with an economics degree. I'm looking for some kind of service I can do in Pakistan and Kashmir and the other areas affected by the earthquake. I am thinking about something exactly like the peace corp, but the peace corp requires 2 years and I would like to spend only one year. I have a good enough grasp of Urdu (one of the languages spoken there) to understand and be understood. I have looked at a few options like the state department, but I'd like to know if anyone has done any programs like this and what their thoughts are.

jorgelito · 10-26-2005, 07:03 PM

Talk to your school's Diplomat in Residence. They can give you the low down on the Froeign Service.

You have to take an exam (like the LSATs etc), then pass some screenings etc. The whole process takes 1-1/2 years.

Peace Corps is bad only because then you can never work for CIA or State etc after....

Go to the State Dept. website for more details. I strongly recommend talking to your school's Diplomat in Residence - they have first hand experience.

inkriminator · 10-27-2005, 11:38 PM

I'm not sure i understand you. I goto a 4 year university in the US. you're syaing it will have a diplomat on hand? You sound like you've some experience in this area, any pitfalls i should avoid?

jorgelito · 10-28-2005, 04:48 PM

Good point - sorry about that, let me clarify - at our school, there is a "diplomat in residence" who's on a yearly rotation. This person typically is a former ambassador, foreign service official etc. It's actually kind of cool, our current one is the former US Ambassador to China. They serve the area I think, not sure though, so if you don't have one, maybe another school in your area does..

First place to start - try your school's Political Science department and inquire there.

Second, try the student clubs like International Relations Society, Model UN, Young Diplomat's Club etc.

Also, your school's Career/internships center should have lots of info on the State Department and Peace Corpse etc.

Is there a School of Public Affairs at your university? Give that a try too.

Lastly, go to the State Department's web-site.

A girl in my class interned for Condoleeza Rice last year. I think she was offered a job there after.

I hope this clears things up a bit more and was helpful to you.

Good luck!

inkriminator · 10-28-2005, 07:54 PM

That's very interesting, I never would have thought that universities would have a position like that. The more I learn about my schools [two in 3 years] the more i'm impressed with the amount of services they put at the students disposal, its really just a matter of how much you go out and look for it. thanks for givin me some motivation.

10-26-2005, 06:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
inkriminator Insane	Finding Foreign Service Hopefully I'll be graduating in May '06 with an economics degree. I'm looking for some kind of service I can do in Pakistan and Kashmir and the other areas affected by the earthquake. I am thinking about something exactly like the peace corp, but the peace corp requires 2 years and I would like to spend only one year. I have a good enough grasp of Urdu (one of the languages spoken there) to understand and be understood. I have looked at a few options like the state department, but I'd like to know if anyone has done any programs like this and what their thoughts are.

10-26-2005, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Talk to your school's Diplomat in Residence. They can give you the low down on the Froeign Service. You have to take an exam (like the LSATs etc), then pass some screenings etc. The whole process takes 1-1/2 years. Peace Corps is bad only because then you can never work for CIA or State etc after.... Go to the State Dept. website for more details. I strongly recommend talking to your school's Diplomat in Residence - they have first hand experience.

10-27-2005, 11:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
inkriminator Insane	I'm not sure i understand you. I goto a 4 year university in the US. you're syaing it will have a diplomat on hand? You sound like you've some experience in this area, any pitfalls i should avoid?

10-28-2005, 04:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	Good point - sorry about that, let me clarify - at our school, there is a "diplomat in residence" who's on a yearly rotation. This person typically is a former ambassador, foreign service official etc. It's actually kind of cool, our current one is the former US Ambassador to China. They serve the area I think, not sure though, so if you don't have one, maybe another school in your area does.. First place to start - try your school's Political Science department and inquire there. Second, try the student clubs like International Relations Society, Model UN, Young Diplomat's Club etc. Also, your school's Career/internships center should have lots of info on the State Department and Peace Corpse etc. Is there a School of Public Affairs at your university? Give that a try too. Lastly, go to the State Department's web-site. A girl in my class interned for Condoleeza Rice last year. I think she was offered a job there after. I hope this clears things up a bit more and was helpful to you. Good luck!

10-28-2005, 07:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
inkriminator Insane	That's very interesting, I never would have thought that universities would have a position like that. The more I learn about my schools [two in 3 years] the more i'm impressed with the amount of services they put at the students disposal, its really just a matter of how much you go out and look for it. thanks for givin me some motivation.