Cynthia Said:

What career track should I go in to in the Foreign Service?

We Answered:

well, what do you really want to do in the Foreign Service? what's your educational background and work experience? the answers to those questions would shape which career track to take. of course, until you pass the written and oral exams, it's all hypothetical.

Erica Said:

If I pass the US Foreign Service test. where will I be sent initially?

We Answered:

After you pass the test, and a background check, and a medical exam, and an interview then go to school you will be placed State side for a couple of years. After that you must do an oversea rotation. You will be asked to list some preferences, but here is how that goes in the government. If you list the place they were already planning on sending you then it looks like you had some say in the matter. Here is a phrase to get used to in the Government - Needs of the Service - You will be sent where you are needed, even if that is the Middle East. There is no "it's my first day" excuses. You were tested, chosen and trained, you are expected to perform wherever you are sent. Many of the European posts are "retirement" posts for people who have proven themselves already. Be prepared for anything and do your best wherever you are sent and you will do fine. Good luck

Henry Said:

In your view, should I join the military? If yes, what branch? If no, why? Please be blunt - yet respectful.?

We Answered:

Your in very good physical shape. That should not be a worry. Military fitness is so basic its ridiculous. Push ups, sits ups, and running.
You seem to be fairly intelligent, so you really should consider a technical branch where you will utilize your brain power. I would suggest the Navy. They have all the money and plenty of opportunities. Plus, you can see 300+ countries in 4 years. See the world!! That will help with the restlessness. I believe the age cut off limit is 35, so you have plenty of time. I joined when I was 24 and thought I was going to be the oldest one in boot. There was a guy who was 34.

Joining the military was the best thing I ever did with my life. I loved every second of it. The opportunities are endless. I have buddies stationed all over the world because they did well in their "A" school. Japan, Spain, Germany, Italy.

I would suggest talking to a recruiter and telling him your thoughts and ideas and see what he may suggest for you.

Good luck sir. You seem to be on a very good path, even if you do not join the military.

Caroline Said:

Foreign service officer?

We Answered:

For a recent college grad, you're looking at about 40,000 per year. And depending on your post, that could go up, depending on cost of living of your post and the hardship/differential quotient that is assigned to your post.

Yes, Cantonese is a critical language, but if you don't already speak it, that doesn't really help you.

However, your ability to get assigned to a country in the Orient on your first tour all depends on the posts that are on the bid list for junior officers (in which there is almost always a China post), and when these posts need to fill the vacancy held by someone rotating out. If the Orient posts on the list need people sooner than later, the slots will be filled with people who have the language either now or in the near future. If there is time for someone to get full language training, then the Career Development officers will consider placing someone there who doesn't have the language. It also depends the other new officers in your A-100 class (Orientation for new Junior Foreign Service Officers). If there are a lot of Cantonese speakers in your class, then your chances go down. There are other posts in the Asia that might be of interest, but you would learn another language, and not Cantonese (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand).

As Hong Kong and Singapore are not huge embassies, they might not even be on the bid list, which is the only list you can take your first tour off of (there are some exceptions, but they are not common). That, and they might not have many spots for junior officers. More likely, the posts in China will be in Guangzhou, Beijing, or Shanghai.

Economic Officers do become Ambassadors, more likely than Consular or Management officers, though there are more political officers than economic officers who become ambassadors. Be forwarned, that there is a lot of competition for the few economic officers spots, depending on how high you are on the initial hiring list.

And are embassies and consulates like military bases? It depends where you are. If you are in Western Europe or a modern capital in a friendly country, then no. If you are in a hostile country or a real hardship post, like Islamabad or Kabul, then the answer is yes.