Some Good News

I took and passed the Oral Assessment on Monday, 8/3, at Annex 1 with a score of 5.4. I am beyond thrilled. The entire thing doesn't quite feel real to me. I passed the GE and the SI, but failed the CM. I pretty much figured that's how it would go.

Now it's playing the waiting game, hoping my security clearance goes quickly. I'm off to the doctor on Friday for my medical tests. Fingers crossed! Right now it's time for a nap and some enjoyment of some serious downtime.

From Annex 44 to Annex 1

I found out a couple of weeks ago that my testing venue was changed from Annex 44 to Annex 1. I won't let it get to me too much, though I have to say I'm disappointed about having to eat Subway for lunch and being kept inside all day. I would have loved to have walked the National Mall on my breaks. Oh well; it's more about studying to do well!

Something to look forward to

I scheduled my OA this morning; I will be testing at Annex 44 on August 3 at 7 a.m. Now begins the studying phase and tackling the beast that is the SF-86.

An Update From Trichy

I'm currently writing this from a room in Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), India. I'm here for a friend's sister's wedding on the 3rd. My trip here and to Chennai (capital of the Tamil Nadu state) has been really nice. I got a few salwar kameezes custom-made, as well as two saris (or sarees, depending on where you're from). The country is beautiful, but perhaps not quite in the traditional way Americans think. There are many ramshackle buildings with thatched roofs made from the fronds of palm trees, and poured cement houses that are showing their age with water stains and chipped facades. The streets are often cracked and filled with potholes (when paved), lined with garbage through which the cows, goats, dogs, and pigs pick. But still, it is colorful, warm, inviting, and incredibly hospitable. I have loved every moment here. I can only hope that once/if I make it through the Foreign Service process that I might be posted in Chennai to serve my three years.

Speaking of the Foreign Service, I am very happy to announce that on May 26, as I drove to Logan Airport, I found out that I passed the QEP. This thrilled me to no end, and was the perfect way to start a vacation. I really am very surprised at having passed because on paper I am a rather underwhelming candidate. However, I think that my customer service background coupled with some strong, well-written personal narratives gave BEX enough confidence in me to invite me to the Oral Assessment. Perhaps I might not have made it before the hiring boom under the Obama administration, but that doesn't matter to me. The fact is, I have been given the chance to showcase my abilities and try to gain a spot on the Consular register (and thereby a position in the Foreign Service, as everyone is being called off the Consular and Management registers these days).

I'm very happy and thankful for this opportunity, and I refuse to squander it. In just a few weeks I will pick a date that suits me, and I will prepare for a day in Washington.

Deeping my cultural awareness

I'm going to India in six weeks. How exciting! :D

Diplomat-in-Residence Session

This past weekend (4/4) I attended a very informative session about the Oral Assessment with Ambassador Bill Eaton, who is the Diplomat-in-Residence at the University of Texas here in Austin. Technically you're not supposed to attend until you've passed the QEP and are scheduled to attend the OA, but I let him know that I was still waiting to hear back on my QEP results; he let me attend. I am thankful for this because I'm moving back to Massachusetts in a few weeks' time.

We watched a video of what to expect during the oral assessment (structured interview and group exercise, but nothing on case management--then again, what could you really watch on video about that part?), and it was really nice to see what we're potentially up against. I've been doing a lot of reading on the Yahoo boards re: what to expect at the OA, but seeing it on the video clarified the smaller things in my mind.

Also, I really have to speak to the great personality of Ambassador Eaton. He was incredibly friendly, articulate, and personable. He answered all of our questions to the best of his ability, and he welcomed us to stay after the presentation and ask questions (which I did). Even if you don't get to attend a session, you should try to get in contact with your local DIR and see if you might pick his or her brain. Getting first-hand advice, knowledge, and experiences from a current FSO is invaluable.

Time seems to be passing quickly; we're nearly a third through the month of April already. Before I know it, I'll be receiving that all-important letter telling me whether or not I'm advancing. I'm choosing to prepare for the OA regardless.

Nothing more to be done!

I received my score breakdown from State a week or so ago, and I was surprised at just how close to the passing level I was. Here are the numbers:

Job Knowledge: 56.47
Biographical: 41.13 (an abysmal score!)
English Expression: 61.16

Total Score: 158.76

Essay: 10 (yay!)

I was really hoping to do better on the test since I don't have much working for me when it comes to the QEP. The bio section was awful; I have my theories as to why I didn't do so well, and it has nothing to do with being inconsistent. These scores and my PNQ's must now get me to the oral assessment, and as badly as I want it, I'm unfortunately expecting a rejection. I am going up against people with all sorts of impressive backgrounds (lawyers, Ph.Ds, Peace Corps volunteers, etc.), and I don't even have a bachelor's degree. I'm unemployed, had barely any corporate experience, and none in management. I am desperately hoping that they see something in my essays that make them want to take a chance on me, but I'm not expecting it.

We're supposed to hear back in mid- to late-June, but I'm hoping it will be sooner (it was only three weeks instead of the 8-10 they originally said for the WE results). Time will tell, and until then I'm going to be a nervous wreck.

Step Two

I finished writing my PNQs for the QEP portion of the evaluation. The only thing I'm waiting on now is hearing back from two of my potential verifiers. I need their phone numbers, but haven't talked to them in years. Oh, the wonders of Facebook! I sent emails, and now I'm just waiting...waiting...waiting... It's due on March 24, so I'm hoping they get back to me soon. I feel confident in my essays, and I'm hoping that they give me a chance. My resume is probably one of the most underwhelming in their applicant pool, so these five short essays count for a lot. Fingers crossed, gang.

I'm also waiting on my score breakdown for the FSWE, which should be coming soon. People who faxed their request the day they received their pass/fail results got their score reports today. When I get mine, I'll be sure to update.

Whee!

The results came a day early. I opened my email this morning to 70+ emails from the Yahoo board, half of them saying things like, "Results are in!" or "I passed!" Needless to say I went right to the FSOT letter retrieval site on ACT's website and logged in. I clicked the link to download my results letter.

"Dear FSO Hopeful,

"Congratulations! ..."

I didn't need to read anymore right then. I screamed, upset my dogs, and then called my mom. Step 1 in my quest of becoming a U.S. Diplomat has been successfully completed. Next up, the QEP!

The butterflies are pterodactyls

On the Yahoo FSWE board (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fswe), two people have said that they checked with ACT to see when the February cohort would be notified of their scores, or at least their pass/fail status, and were informed that the results would be available this Wednesday (3/4). I am anxiously waiting to find out whether or not this is true. I've been a ball of nerves for days now, which is ridiculous. I want to know, but I'm terrified of the results.

Just under three days until I (potentially) find out. Fingers crossed.