Foreign Service job, best college major?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spooks get most of the jobs. The traditional way in is barely a career option available to others

This reminds me of a friend who could not pass the interview portion of the exam back in the early 90’s. He was born and raised in France to American parents who were working overseas as scientists. Graduated from 2 Ivy League schools for undergrad and grad schools. Served in the Peace Corps. Totally bilingual in English abs French. Quite fluent in Russian and Turkish. He couldn’t pass the interview portion of the test even though he aced the written/ general knowledge part. He was finally told that he would not be a good candidate because there was a non- American look and attitude about him.

Today, that would have been a positive attribute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spooks get most of the jobs. The traditional way in is barely a career option available to others

Spooks?

[Anonymous]

International relations, public policy, foreign language, history, political science, economics, geography, statistics...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spooks get most of the jobs. The traditional way in is barely a career option available to others

This reminds me of a friend who could not pass the interview portion of the exam back in the early 90’s. He was born and raised in France to American parents who were working overseas as scientists. Graduated from 2 Ivy League schools for undergrad and grad schools. Served in the Peace Corps. Totally bilingual in English abs French. Quite fluent in Russian and Turkish. He couldn’t pass the interview portion of the test even though he aced the written/ general knowledge part. [b]He was finally told that he would not be a good candidate because there was a non- American look and attitude about him.[\b]

Translation: You seem to be a pompous ass. No thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prepare to send a lot of cables.

Yeah, looks like that's all they do, sending cables

If the shoe fits...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With advances in communication technology there is no need for foreign service or state department

Evidence that you don’t have the slightest clue what FSOs actually do.

They deny visas, send cables, promote the agenda of the American chamber of commerce, don't mix with locals, and cost the taxpayer many thousands shipping their crappy 10 year old Honda Pilot all over the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spooks get most of the jobs. The traditional way in is barely a career option available to others

This reminds me of a friend who could not pass the interview portion of the exam back in the early 90’s. He was born and raised in France to American parents who were working overseas as scientists. Graduated from 2 Ivy League schools for undergrad and grad schools. Served in the Peace Corps. Totally bilingual in English abs French. Quite fluent in Russian and Turkish. He couldn’t pass the interview portion of the test even though he aced the written/ general knowledge part. He was finally told that he would not be a good candidate because there was a non- American look and attitude about him.

Sounds like the State Department's loss. He should just work as staff for Peace Corps posted around the world, more interesting and useful anyway, similar pay scale without all the State BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With advances in communication technology there is no need for foreign service or state department

Evidence that you don’t have the slightest clue what FSOs actually do.

get overpaid to do clerical work in a foreign nation?