Careers Representing America
Career change
User:
beckUSA
Date: 3/20/2012 4:58 am
Date: 3/20/2012 4:58 am
Views: 21326
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I am 41 years old, married, with two children, currently living and working overseas as a journalist. I am considering pursuing a career in the foreign service. Would I be considered too old? Would I be too old to achieve meaningful advancement in a foreign service office career? I have read that the average age of inductees is 31. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
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Re: Career change
User:
Deputy Branch Chief
Date: 3/20/2012 8:54 am
Date: 3/20/2012 8:54 am
Views: 344
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Rating: 5 Rate [ | ]
No, you are not too old.
"To be eligible, the U.S. Department of State requires that all applicants be:
U.S. citizens on the date they submit their registration package
At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day you submit your registration
At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer."
From http://careers.state.gov/officer/who-we-look-for
If you were to join the Foreign Service next year, assuming you take and pass the FSOT in June and all other steps of the process, you could have a 23-year career in the Foreign Service. Mandatory Retirement is at age 65. It would be quite possible to retire as a FS-01 (current salary for FS-1/step 1 retirement computation purposes is $123,758) and you would accrue a pension of 37% of your salary.
During those 23 years you could witness history if not make history while serving your country.
If you were promoted rapidly due to outstanding performance in your career track, you could even make it into the Senior Foreign Service before retirement.
"To be eligible, the U.S. Department of State requires that all applicants be:
U.S. citizens on the date they submit their registration package
At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day you submit your registration
At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer."
From http://careers.state.gov/officer/who-we-look-for
If you were to join the Foreign Service next year, assuming you take and pass the FSOT in June and all other steps of the process, you could have a 23-year career in the Foreign Service. Mandatory Retirement is at age 65. It would be quite possible to retire as a FS-01 (current salary for FS-1/step 1 retirement computation purposes is $123,758) and you would accrue a pension of 37% of your salary.
During those 23 years you could witness history if not make history while serving your country.
If you were promoted rapidly due to outstanding performance in your career track, you could even make it into the Senior Foreign Service before retirement.
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Re: Career change
User:
beckUSA
Date: 3/21/2012 6:10 am
Date: 3/21/2012 6:10 am
Views: 269
Rating: 4 Rate [ | ]
Rating: 4 Rate [ | ]
Thanks for this. It's encouraging. I've just read "Career Diplomacy" but one aspect that it didn't elaborate on: What kind of life could my children expect. I understand we would be moving every three years. But is there a continuity they can expect? Do State Department families frequently cross paths? Or do State Dept families find themselves more or less socially isolated? Is there some kind of structure to the life of children of FSOs? My children are young: 4 and 6. I understand how on one level it would be a fantastic childhood for them. But they're kids, too. They’ll need familiarity, routine with their surroundings and world.
I also have a question about language which I will ask here although there might be another forum that is more appropriate.
I can speak some Italian, which I learned when I lived in Italy years back. I believe if I had time, I could improve my Italian to an S-3 level. (I understand Italian isn't a language particularly in demand - but it's more a matter of showing aptitude for a foreign language). I have read that the language assessment would come four weeks after the test. Is it possible to postpone the assessment to allow more time for study?
I also have a question about language which I will ask here although there might be another forum that is more appropriate.
I can speak some Italian, which I learned when I lived in Italy years back. I believe if I had time, I could improve my Italian to an S-3 level. (I understand Italian isn't a language particularly in demand - but it's more a matter of showing aptitude for a foreign language). I have read that the language assessment would come four weeks after the test. Is it possible to postpone the assessment to allow more time for study?
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Re: Career change
User:
Matt
Date: 3/20/2012 10:26 am
Date: 3/20/2012 10:26 am
Views: 386
Rating: 4 Rate [ | ]
Rating: 4 Rate [ | ]
BeckUSA,
I am in the same boat--40 years old, with an established career and family. I recommend reading through "Career Diplomacy", which is on the FSO reading list. There is a section on the hiring process. The author surveyed a recent A100 class and found fully half the class to be in its 30s and another 30% in its 40s. From my reading and conversations with Diplomats in Residence, I understand that the DOS highly values the life experience that we can bring.
We still have a lot of good years with which to serve our country, my friend.
Best of luck,
Matt
I am in the same boat--40 years old, with an established career and family. I recommend reading through "Career Diplomacy", which is on the FSO reading list. There is a section on the hiring process. The author surveyed a recent A100 class and found fully half the class to be in its 30s and another 30% in its 40s. From my reading and conversations with Diplomats in Residence, I understand that the DOS highly values the life experience that we can bring.
We still have a lot of good years with which to serve our country, my friend.
Best of luck,
Matt
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Re: Career change
User:
beckUSA
Date: 3/21/2012 6:21 am
Date: 3/21/2012 6:21 am
Views: 387
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the note. I've just read "Career Diplomacy," too. A really interesting look into the foreign service, I thought. The authors of the book made an interesting point about how the structure of the State Department - its hierarchy - can actually be a source of comfort for the FSOs whose experiences vary so much. That's interesting. It seems like it could be a fantastic, meaningful career.
Have you signed up to take the FSO Test yet?
Thanks for the note. I've just read "Career Diplomacy," too. A really interesting look into the foreign service, I thought. The authors of the book made an interesting point about how the structure of the State Department - its hierarchy - can actually be a source of comfort for the FSOs whose experiences vary so much. That's interesting. It seems like it could be a fantastic, meaningful career.
Have you signed up to take the FSO Test yet?
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Re: Career change
User:
Matt
Date: 3/21/2012 7:37 am
Date: 3/21/2012 7:37 am
Views: 263
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Hi BeckUSA,
I am at the QEP stage with fingers crossed.
I also recommend "Realities of Foreign Service Life" for a perspective on how the career impacts the family. Don't hesitate to call a Diplomat in Residence, too. In my experience, they are more than happy to answer all of the little nagging questions about Foreign Service life. Those with whom I have spoken have been a great resource, and very nice to boot.
Best of luck,
Matt
I am at the QEP stage with fingers crossed.
I also recommend "Realities of Foreign Service Life" for a perspective on how the career impacts the family. Don't hesitate to call a Diplomat in Residence, too. In my experience, they are more than happy to answer all of the little nagging questions about Foreign Service life. Those with whom I have spoken have been a great resource, and very nice to boot.
Best of luck,
Matt
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Re: Career change
User:
BeckUSA,
Date: 3/21/2012 9:28 am
Date: 3/21/2012 9:28 am
Views: 334
Rating: -2 Rate [ | ]
Rating: -2 Rate [ | ]
I am 41 years old, married, with two children, currently living and working overseas as a journalist. I am considering pursuing a career in the foreign service. Would I be considered too old? Would I be too old to achieve meaningful advancement in a foreign service office career? I have read that the average age of inductees is 31. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Reply •
Re: Career change
User:
Matt
Date: 3/21/2012 9:32 am
Date: 3/21/2012 9:32 am
Views: 274
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Hi BeckUSA,
Once you sign up for the FSOT, make sure you joint the Yahoo group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fswe/
From there I would be happy to share my perspective on the process, what I did to prepare and what I would do differently. If you count how long it's been since you took a standardized test in decades, rather than years, it makes for a unique challenge.
Cheers,
Matt
Once you sign up for the FSOT, make sure you joint the Yahoo group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fswe/
From there I would be happy to share my perspective on the process, what I did to prepare and what I would do differently. If you count how long it's been since you took a standardized test in decades, rather than years, it makes for a unique challenge.
Cheers,
Matt
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Re: Career change
User:
beckUSA
Date: 3/21/2012 2:33 pm
Date: 3/21/2012 2:33 pm
Views: 243
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Thanks, I will take you up on the offer. I need all the advice I can get.
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Re: Career change
User:
Heitor
Date: 4/18/2012 6:56 pm
Date: 4/18/2012 6:56 pm
Views: 267
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
Rating: 2 Rate [ | ]
I'm in a similar, but a little bit older boat.
I'm 46 with a wife and two kids (11 and 14).
I took the FS test three years ago and didn't pass. I've been in grad school since then but will be taking the FSOT again and again up until age 59 if I have to. :-)
I've always been somewhat of a late bloomer. I like to take my time to "achieve" things I guess. I'm competent, but I relish the journey one might say. :-)
I enjoy reading a FS blog of a guy who joined I think at age 53. I started at the beginning to hear how he progressed and struggled through the language classes, etc.
http://hogline.wordpress.com/
I'm 46 with a wife and two kids (11 and 14).
I took the FS test three years ago and didn't pass. I've been in grad school since then but will be taking the FSOT again and again up until age 59 if I have to. :-)
I've always been somewhat of a late bloomer. I like to take my time to "achieve" things I guess. I'm competent, but I relish the journey one might say. :-)
I enjoy reading a FS blog of a guy who joined I think at age 53. I started at the beginning to hear how he progressed and struggled through the language classes, etc.
http://hogline.wordpress.com/
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