US FSO - United States Foreign Service Officer

[Raargant]

Does anyone here have family members (or are themselves) an FSO? Any input/information? Thanks.

[Celerity]

I looked into this a bit before...but I ultimately came to the conclusion that everything I wanted to do in the job could be much better done in other ways.

Remember, you manage yourself better than big brother does.

Why are you considering it?

[Raargant]

Eh? I'm not quite sure what you're trying to get at by the 'manage yourself better' comment.

W/regards as to why I am considering it, the following reasons:

Personal Interest:

International relations and international policy/politics have always been one of the few non-game related things that I have found to be exceptionally interesting, so much so that I can (and still do) spend literally hours reading the news, articles, etc. etc. etc. A job as an FSO would be one of the few positions currently available in which I would be able to actively be engaged in something I am interested in.

Salary:

Although not high, when factoring in potential hardship wage 'bonuses' as well as housing allowances and lower (for the most part) costs of living, a substantial amount of money could be saved. Although the 'base' salary is only around $40,000 or so at an entry level for a person with a BA, and with a middle-of-the-road hardship post being roughly 20-25%, 'actual' salary would be around $50,000. Factor in housing allowances and lower costs of living, and the 'actual' spending/saving power would be at around $60,000. So although it's not exceptional, it's quite respectable. And, being a government job, quite steady.

Experience

I considering spending some time as an FSO potentially an excellent career decision, both in terms of being able to do something I like and make good money, as well as in terms of significant, meaningful work experience as well as having potential to make contacts, local or governmental (or both), which would be helpful if, in the future, I decide to enter the private sector. If, for example, I spend a number of years in one of the current 'hot' investment zones (such as China), I can envision that as being potentially very helpful in procuring an international business management/advisory/consultant position in the future.

[Lexi]

Or, you could be a professional writer?

[Raargant]

Flatterer.

So, no one has much info, it seems?

[Zrothum]

All my life as a military brat and I've never heard of 'FSO'

[Ex-D&Der]

I don't know much, and you probably know what I know already. The only info I have is that there is a written test and then an oral test. The written test is a test of general knowledge, and it's very difficult to pass. I know someone who passed it, then failed the oral test. Also my advisor in college said he passed the exam, and he is a very scholarly person. So basically it's pretty prestigious to pass it. The work I gather is very interesting--George Kennan was a foreign service officer and in his memoirs he described his work in Russia as being wonderful. On the other hand you are a US government employee, which means that you have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy in terms of promotion, and many promotions are political rather than merit-based. But all in all it's a great career as far as I understand it.