Career Track: Political
Years of Service: 14
Prior Career: Human rights researcher at an NGO
Languages: Greek, Arabic
Education: DePaul University undergrad, London School of Economics masters degree.
Interesting Experience: Too many to count! One of my favorites was working with the U.S. military to organize a multinational election observation team in Basrah, Iraq, to allow diplomats from other countries a secure way to observe national elections in March 2010. My European colleagues and I had a great time chatting with Basrawi local officials and community leaders about their hopes for the future in the lead up to the election, and visiting polling stations on election day.
Last Post: Acting Director of the Maghreb Affairs Office at the State Department

 

Internships with the State Department

There are three internship sessions with the State Department: Spring, Summer, and Fall. The Summer positions are the most competitive with nearly 1,000 positions available from a pool of over 12,000 applicants. Spring and Fall sessions only offer 500 posisions, however, there is a decreased applicant pool.

 

To apply, you must have completed two full years of college. Applications are available on USAjobs.com. Before you fill out the lengthy application she advises students to spend a significant amount of time on the State Department website so that you can tailor your resume and personal statement to the position you most desire. Ms. Thompson Jones recommends discussing your international experience, your skill set, and specific reasons for applying to a position in your 2,500 character personal statement. Get started early, as the committee prefers younger students who are more likely to return to work for State.

 

Students should expect to hear back from the State Department six weeks to eight weeks after the application deadline. If you are selected you will have to complete a lengthy 54 page security clearance form that can take 3-5 hours to complete. Internships run for approximately ten weeks.

 

Careers in the Foreign Service

Persons considering careers with the State Department should begin preparing for the process while still in college. The sooner you begin narrowing your interests, the better equipped you will be to take the Foreign Service Exam (FSE). Elementary requirements to work in the Foreign Service mandate that you be 21 years of age, an American citizen, and that you be available to work worldwide.

 

Candidates must pass the FSE, a test that is administered by ACT. It is a very anonymous process whereby only persons that pass the test are reported on to the Department of State. Ms. Thompson Jones advises that you should begin taking this test as soon as you feel ready. The exam is offered four times a year. It takes two hours and forty-two minutes with multiple-choice questions and a 30-minute essay section. Roughly 25,000 people will sit for each exam offered, many of whom are just testing the waters. Each candidate must preselect their career track before applying from the Political, Economic, Management, or Consular fields.

 

Those who pass with top marks on the FSE are further whittled down by a set of essay questions that candidates must answer within three weeks. Finally, selected candidates take part in a one-day long oral exercise with five other candidates. At the end of the day, applicants will either be welcomed to State or walked out the door.

 

Contact

 

Evyenia Sidereas is open to speak and advise candidates interested in pursuing internships or careers at the Department of State. Please direct emails to: dirnewengland@state.gov.