I am still deciding on where to go once I leave England for good. The thought of going back to Texas really makes me cringe but I guess I could give Dallas or San Antonio a try for six months to a year. It's just that I am not that big on the South but of course either of those places could be better than that dump Atlanta that I spent all those years in. Hopefully by the time I am forty I can relocate to New York. New York is a lot like London with a ton of stuff to do, places to go, people to see and non-stop fun. Better yet--cold weather too.
Or at least this is all Plan B should the Foreign Service thing not fall through or I haven't died. Also it would be great to finally get married.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Saturday, 23 May 2009
British Citizenship Mock Test
I just took that British Citizenship Mock test on Facebook. I don't think I will be becoming British anytime soon. That exam is such a toughy. I hope the real ones aren't that testy. The American one is quite easy to ace.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Prepping for the exam
Studying and preparing for the Foreign Service Officer exam has been mind boggling. Seems you are expected to know everything to take this exam and I do mean everything. Just when you thought you knew enough on world culture, history, geography and society, that still is not enough.
There is so much to read up on and I have a lot of catching up to do. It's a bit scary at times just thinking about it.
The Job Knowledge test is divided into two sections. The general section was developed to test candidates' knowledge throughout a range of eight subjects that were determined to be the most important in terms of becoming a Foreign Service Officer: United States Government, United States Society, World History and Geography, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Management, Communication, and Computers.
The other section of the Job Knowledge test is the career track section. After you complete the questions in the general section, you immediately turn to the career track section. The following are the five career tracks and a brief description of what these careers might entail:
Management officers are normally involved in business management within a consular unit or management office of an embassy. At the senior level, you may become an ambassador, head one of the large consulates, and even direct the development of new embassies.
Consular officers often work in local embassies adjudicating visas, assisting American citizens in emergency situations, and serving as the primary contact that people have with the local U.S. embassies or consulate offices. As you grow in the job, you will likely manage sections of an embassy, and eventually head up an office somewhere in the field.
Economic officers are involved in negotiating treaties, developing a network of contacts in local communities, and becoming involved in local economic developments in the country in which they are stationed. Senior economic officers may be responsible for developing U.S. policy for economic and trade issues.
Political officers work with the local society and require a strong understanding of the local culture, people, and languages. Political officers are responsible for monitoring the local politics as well as working with local political figures to convey the political views of the United States. Senior officers manage and supervise other political officers, either in the United States or abroad.
Public diplomacy officers are really information officers whose role is to influence public opinion and put forth the best view of the United States. They work with local media, cultural leaders, and so on, eventually managing significant country-wide programs to convey the concepts of democracy and free speech.
The questions in the career track portion of the Job Knowledge test are unique to each section, and the career track portion is equal in length to the general section. The scores, though, are combined.
You can complete only one career track section, so make sure you know which one you're going to take long before you take the exam. This is one area that is worth spending time researching because it relates to the area in which you will likely spend your entire career as a Foreign Service Officer.
There is so much to read up on and I have a lot of catching up to do. It's a bit scary at times just thinking about it.
The Job Knowledge test is divided into two sections. The general section was developed to test candidates' knowledge throughout a range of eight subjects that were determined to be the most important in terms of becoming a Foreign Service Officer: United States Government, United States Society, World History and Geography, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, Management, Communication, and Computers.
The other section of the Job Knowledge test is the career track section. After you complete the questions in the general section, you immediately turn to the career track section. The following are the five career tracks and a brief description of what these careers might entail:
Management officers are normally involved in business management within a consular unit or management office of an embassy. At the senior level, you may become an ambassador, head one of the large consulates, and even direct the development of new embassies.
Consular officers often work in local embassies adjudicating visas, assisting American citizens in emergency situations, and serving as the primary contact that people have with the local U.S. embassies or consulate offices. As you grow in the job, you will likely manage sections of an embassy, and eventually head up an office somewhere in the field.
Economic officers are involved in negotiating treaties, developing a network of contacts in local communities, and becoming involved in local economic developments in the country in which they are stationed. Senior economic officers may be responsible for developing U.S. policy for economic and trade issues.
Political officers work with the local society and require a strong understanding of the local culture, people, and languages. Political officers are responsible for monitoring the local politics as well as working with local political figures to convey the political views of the United States. Senior officers manage and supervise other political officers, either in the United States or abroad.
Public diplomacy officers are really information officers whose role is to influence public opinion and put forth the best view of the United States. They work with local media, cultural leaders, and so on, eventually managing significant country-wide programs to convey the concepts of democracy and free speech.
The questions in the career track portion of the Job Knowledge test are unique to each section, and the career track portion is equal in length to the general section. The scores, though, are combined.
You can complete only one career track section, so make sure you know which one you're going to take long before you take the exam. This is one area that is worth spending time researching because it relates to the area in which you will likely spend your entire career as a Foreign Service Officer.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Taking the big exam
I just received an email yesterday stating that I have been accepted to take the Foreign Service Officer exam in June but unfortunately I will not be able to do so as I am still out of my timing for study as well I am a long ways from home. Of course I will have to reschedule so that I can take it by year's end either in London or Dallas.
Saturday, 25 April 2009
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