I
have recently been looking into the Foreign Service as the next step after
Peace Corps. It seems like a dream job; you get to travel, have good government
pay and benefits and your spouse can serve with you. Not to mention that actual
job itself which, from the picture the website paints anyways, is always
interesting and challenging. In order to become a Foreign Service Office you
have to go through a year or more long application process that seems to be
even more exhaustive than the Peace Corps application process. To begin you
have to take a Foreign Service exam that requires you to have deep roots with
your social studies classes from high school as well as knowledge on current
events, economics and management. Only if you pass this test will you be
contacted further for your essays etc. which are then followed by the classic
government medical checks and exams. After all this work it is no wonder that
if you are accepted to become a Foreign Service Officer it is normally expected
as a long term career and not something that you casually pick up for a few
years. This leads to one of the biggest drawback to the Foreign Service and
that is the sacrifices that your spouse may have to make. After reading several
blogs and resources from Foreign Service it became apparent that most spouses
who are not also Foreign Service Offices have a difficult time finding any sort
of work, add on the consistent moving from country and country and spouses are
almost in perpetual job search mode and as most of us know that is not the most
pleasant mode to be in. This is not to say that a job cannot be found or that
there are not other meaningful activities spouses can do but if both you and
your spouse are interested and gung-ho about a challenging career with
advancement and improvement then the Foreign Service may not be for you.
3 comments:
I did read the Foreign Service Website and alot of thoughts went through my head. Nobody can tell you what to do but I guess as long as you (Matt) and Krystal both are 100% in agreement with this and totally understand all the good and bad about this then it's your life and your decision to make (together). It does seem like a life term career commitment but what are the life survival stats and what are the stats on couples staying together for this type of career? Just one of the things that popped in my head. Of course also thinking, we will never see Krystal again but its your life together and what you do with it is your choice and you can't go wrong if your both live life together doing what you love.
Tough choices to be made here, but Krystal has a solid career path that is always in demand at embassies, etc, I would think. Wherever there are foreign service personnel, there are their children who need schooling. Maybe some of the other spouses do not have solid career paths that are in demand, but teachers are a different story. I would suggest not ruling it out, because sometimes in life a perfect opportunity comes along that suits both of you. But the most important thing is that you decide together, and that you both are honest with each other and with yourselves. We used to always say that we could do anything for a year ;) but you are talking about an investment of several years. I know you both will figure it out, keeping your eyes and ears open for new opportunities. Exciting times in the lives of Matt and Krystal Klebes :)
Hello Krystal and Matt,
Krystal, your passion to see the world has always been strong. I know what ever you two decide will be best for both of you. Stay safe and peace love you Mum!
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