Foreign Service Specialists
"With the earthquake in Haiti, the embassy there was one of the few buildings that was basically untouched. We had a structurally sound building and that was a big success. That was a prime example of why the U.S. embassy is there, to help the host country rebuild, and they're still serving that function."
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Foreign Service Specialist, Construction Engineer
"I help build embassies."
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Stephanie
Foreign Service Specialist, Construction Engineer
1202 Views
"I’ve got a passion for effective public administration. I think that one thing that really needs to be focused on in the Department and all across the public sector is making sure that all of our assets are maintained effectively and efficiently"
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Foreign Service Specialist, Facility Manager
"I am passionate about effective public administration"
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Jim
Foreign Service Specialist, Facility Manager
147 Views
"It's a sense of adventure, and the sense of obligation and pride for the country that accepted my parents. I always thought I would join the Foreign Service, do it for a couple of years, and then move on. And after a couple of years, it was infectious. I didn't want to leave."
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Foreign Service Specialist, Financial Management Specialist
"I have a sense of adventure."
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Catherine
Foreign Service Specialist, Financial Management Specialist
1021 Views
“Every post has added to my worldview of the rich texture of our humanity. I have been enriched by the genuine smiles of the very poor and lilt of laughter from the elderly. My heart has been broken by the poverty that the world still allows for some of its citizens, yet heartened by its outreach to try and fix these everlasting problems.”
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Foreign Service Specialist, Health Practitioner
“I protect the health of U.S. diplomats and their families.”
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Betty
Foreign Service Specialist, Health Practitioner
790 Views
Think of it as a small business, you know, where you’re responsible for all the telecommunications, the computer systems, the radio systems, the telephone systems. So you’re that person that everybody comes to when they need, you know, to find out what -- ‘How come I can’t get on the internet?’ or ‘How come I can’t -- my phone is not working.
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Foreign Service Specialist, Information Management
"I stepped out of my comfort zone to manage U.S. embassy telecommunications systems."
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Stella
Foreign Service Specialist, Information Management
146 Views
The transition for me from the United States Navy to the Department of State, which – was a natural one. I always serve my country, and I continue to want to serve my country. The U.S. Navy taught me leadership and management skills; the U.S. Department of State has taught me customer service skills and a greater sensitivity to others’ needs.
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Foreign Service Specialist, Information Management
"I manage IT systems for diplomatic properties abroad."
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Tangela
Foreign Service Specialist, Information Management
115 Views
I decided to go the Information Management Specialist route because I have an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering and then I got a master’s in International Studies. So put the two together, that was the perfect match for a kind of career I was looking for.
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Foreign Service Specialist, Information Management Specialist
"I get to travel all over the world while applying my IT expertise."
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Tony
Foreign Service Specialist, Information Management Specialist
122 Views
"We saw people with purple thumbs, where they had dipped their thumbs in the ink and everywhere we went, people were just so happy — so pleased and so proud of themselves. And for me, since I had been there almost a year and working almost every day towards this very thing, it was just overwhelming."
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Foreign Service Specialist, Office Management Specialist
"I helped hold elections."
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Susan
Foreign Service Specialist, Office Management Specialist
1125 Views
“You get exposed to very unique experiences and very unique situations. All the psychiatric skills that I’ve learned over the years, you have an opportunity to apply that directly in many different ways, often unexpected ways.”
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Foreign Service Specialist, Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist
"I am an advocate for the health of people around the world."
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David
Foreign Service Specialist, Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist
1056 Views
"This is a very educational and challenging experience for me. It definitely gets me out of my comfort zone as well as gives me the opportunity to serve my country. I don't have to worry about staying in a cube 24/7. There’s always something exciting going on."
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Foreign Service Specialist, Security Engineering Officer
“I help protect embassies and consulates worldwide.”
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Chimere
Foreign Service Specialist, Security Engineering Officer
1139 Views
"This is a lifestyle, it's not a job where you're going to put a plant in your cubicle corner and watch it grow into a tree in 20 years. You move around, you're expected to adapt well, meet new people, learn about new cultures and also perform at a high level."
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Foreign Service Specialist, Security Engineering Officer
"I serve where I’m needed."
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Sam
Foreign Service Specialist, Security Engineering Officer
1092 Views
“I believe in what we're doing overseas, promoting democracy and this is my contribution in the manner I can do it. Service is something I think everyone should do.”
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Foreign Service Specialist, Security Technical Specialist
“I contribute through my technical expertise”
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Noe
Foreign Service Specialist, Security Technical Specialist
857 Views