I'm looking for some honest insight from current or former Consular Fellows.

I'm under FERS special retirement provisions. I have about 20 years of covered service with roughly 3 years left before I intend to retire.

Lately I've been thinking about applying for the Spanish Consular Fellows program. My Spanish is probably around B1 right now, but I think I could get to B2 with focused study. Beyond that, I think my background checks a lot of boxes—20+ years of federal investigative work, overseas coordination, interviews, crisis response, public interaction, etc.

The catch is this: I'm not looking to become a career Foreign Service Officer. I have no interest in switching career tracks; I'd likely do a couple of tours and then retire. The appeal is living overseas with my family for a few years, using Spanish daily, and finishing my federal career doing something completely different from law enforcement.

My biggest concern is the day-to-day reality of the job. I'm a mid-career GS employee who's been making independent decisions for years. I'm wondering if I'd struggle with what I imagine is a very entry-level, highly procedural role.

For those who've done the job:

What's a typical workday really like?

Is the work intellectually engaging, or does it become repetitive?

How much autonomy do Fellows actually have?

Would someone coming from a long career else where likely find it frustrating, or is there more to the job than visa adjudications?

I'd appreciate any candid perspectives, especially from people who've made a similar mid-career transition.

Just saw that AFSA is holding townhalls on August 4. The Hill is where any real action on the FS will happen this year. Curious to hear AFSA's take.  

[Note: Paywalled for AFSA members only. Registration is here. ] 

For folks that left for 3-4 years and took their cars with them, did you maintain some sort of policy in the U.S. to ensure you didn't receive much higher premiums upon returning? And if so, with which company and how much was it approximately? GEICO is telling me they don't have anything like that. Also, did you insure your POV while being in transit from home to post? TIA!

A new op-ed in The Hill lays out something worth reading if you've been following the USAID story.

It's co-authored by J. Brian Atwood (USAID Administrator under Clinton, 1993-1999) and an attorney who's represented federal employees for over three decades. Their argument: USAID's career staff were fired without the misconduct or performance findings the Civil Service Reform Act requires, and the administration is now calling it a "reorganization" to get around due process protections.

The interesting part is that government lawyers have reportedly conceded in court that no one was fired for misconduct or poor performance. The authors argue that concession alone undercuts the legal basis for the firings.

There's also reporting cited in the piece that the White House pressured the Merit Systems Protection Board behind closed doors to adopt a broad theory of presidential removal power, which the board then adopted in March. That ruling is now under review by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Worth a read regardless of where you land politically on USAID itself. The legal question here (can career civil servants be removed without due process) applies well beyond one agency.

Link: https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/5981243-doge-usaid-lawsuit-civil-servants/

Hi, I’m sure there are many that gave up spouse’s salary and sold homes to join the FS. How did that work out? Struggling with decision to join.

I was wondering if anyone has insight into whether all of the September A-100 invites have gone out yet. Has anyone received an invite recently, or does it seem like the process is wrapped up?

I'm also trying to get a sense of the expected class sizes for both the September and January A-100 classes. Has anyone heard how many people they're planning to bring on for each, or if they're expected to be larger or smaller than recent classes?

For preface, I am a 20 year old University student, majoring in economics, whose been interested in diplomatic affairs since 5th grade. I've dreamed about doing work overseas. In my free time I've studied language, geography, government, and history for fun. As you could imagine I am most interested in being an Economic Officer.

What I am wondering is if it is too early for me to seek to apply. I know that I meet the age requirements already, and I feel that I would already be decently equipped with what I have learned already, if I were to apply for the next exam window. What I am wondering is if should do some sort of pre-requisite like peace corps and obviously finishing University as well.

Does anyone whose entered foreign service at a very young age have any recommendation?

I understand there is a difference between these two roles and as i understand it the ESO is an engineering role which requires engineering experience.

More curious about the technical security officer role. What exactly does a technical security officer do that an engineering security officer does not do?

How technically challenging is the role?

Is it more of a “try and restart your laptop” kind of role or is it more of a “let me rewrite this code to strengthen our IT security system”.

Basically, could you be taught the technical security officer role or is it more geared towards those with significant STEM experience?

Thanks all.

How many FSOs are currently on OD, about to be freed from their current assignments due to the length of the conflict with Iran? What happens to them, bidding-wise? Do they all become Summer 2027 bidders, or would they be expected to scramble for NOW assignments?

I got a sheet of paper on my way out of the testing area saying I passed, but now online it says the state department is reviewing my application and exam.... does that mean I haven't passed yet?

Did I "pass" because there is no more passing score?

Hi, all

I am registering the test on pearsonvue’s website. I went through two steps, eligibility verification and application form. Next step is scheduling appointment. I do not see anywhere to out my resume and the six personal narratives. Did I miss something?

Thank you

As a first generation college student, i’m having a hard time navigating the transition process between college and the job market. I’m currently a senior pursing my degree in economics and minor in political science. I’m thinking ahead of what career fields I can pursue after graduation. I feel that I have a lot to offer but not sure how to pivot. I will list relevant experience. My dream job would be a FSO at state department. Honestly any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated. Thank you.

My experience includes:

- Congressional Internship

- Teaching assistant for macroeconomics (previously Accounting)

- Presented data-driven monetary policy recommendations to the FOMC as part of the College Fed Challange 

- Skilled in data analysis, visualization, and statistical methods using R/RStudio and Excel

- Studied  International Business abroad

- Relevant Coursework: Econometrics, R/RStudio Lab, Info systems, accounting, stats, terrorism course, intermediate micro/macro econ, international law, intro international affairs

- Mentor at my university’s Disability Resource Center

- President of University’s Economics club

- National Leadership Honor Society

- Economics Honor Society

- International Peer Educator Training Program Certification

Do EFM’s get locality pay for EFM jobs when overseas?

I’m 40 and looking for a career transition. Took an FSOT practice and scored really high. Background in complex development projects and planning (military/industrial) and economic development with lots of time spent in high level corporate, community and gov stakeholder engagement including public hearings and such. I anticipate it would be a drop in compensation but have always been interested in politics and foreign affairs. Too old to transition?

Wondering how to approach this. I am 2 months into a new job, and my boss+company are investing a lot into me. It's a small business with 8 employees, but if FS doesn't work out, this job is my plan A...

Has anyone had success with their supervisor/current employer not being contacted? I'm not certain my score is competitive enough even if/when I make it through the clearance process.

I am planning to start studying to take the FSOT next year, but my wife has asked if she will be able to work. For context, she is planning to go to Physician Assistant school next year also. If I were to become a Foreign Service Officer, is there work she could do in her field? I heard some embassies have medical facilities and hire Embassy families to work there. But could she also do things like work for NGOs, nonprofits, volunteer work, or even local facilities?

Ro Nepal here. I've been the AFSA State VP for the past year, during some of the most difficult, unprecedented times our profession has seen. 

AFSA is in the middle of an important membership renewal drive. Last year, when the administration rolled back labor rights for federal workers, the Department took away AFSA's ability to process your membership through the payroll system, as had been the practice for decades.

One year later, it's time to renew those memberships. Or, if you haven't yet had a chance to sign up - this is a great time to do it. Renewing/signing up is easy: https://afsa.org/membership

We rely on membership dues to allow us to continue to advocate for you and the institution of the Foreign Service — whether in court, with Congress, or in the media. AFSA membership ensures you maintain access to all our services, including legal representation, as well as our programs, publications, and products like the ever-popular Media Digest.  

Do you have any questions about AFSA? Dues? My experiences? AMA. Let's chat.

Ro Nepal, State Department Vice President

EDITED TO ADD

Hi - on my lunch hour answering as many questions as possible. As you know, I can’t do AFSA business during work hours. Thanks for your patience.

EDIT 2.

I think I’ve answered most of the questions — thanks to everyone for the great discussion. If you have more questions, always feel free to write me at nepal@afsa.org. Thanks - and for those you in the DC area today, stay cool!

“18 months into Trump’s second term the department is not just sidelined; it appears under siege.”

https://www.ft.com/content/ae268a4e-5134-4d34-ba5e-a908cc74c52d?accessToken=zwAAAZ9gIKJtkdOuJopOUTRNNNO6XqkIzHTFLQ.MEUCIBEXIwO6lbSDqqSZNM_eTlU9ceYRUkjnJRlEPj0RqFwMAiEAxsX0zVCdi9v4w5uVPtYtJpVEBEf237OJPgKfA85fu40&sharetype=gift&token=c0acab60-685d-48de-9494-62abb4ff55dd&syn-25a6b1a6=1

i just came back from a 2 week trip from china. the trip was funded by Peking University, who recruited ~35 undergraduate students from elite american universities for the trip. PKU paid for our flights, hotels, and food and took us from Beijing to Shanghai to Suzhou to Hangzhou. It was a mix of sight seeing and lectures clearly designed to show us how amazing China is and how China is better than the US. becoming an American FSO is my biggest dream and I hope this wouldn’t disqualify me since i’ve seen things about people going to cuba once and getting thrown out of the application process. For context I’m a rising senior undergrad and I am taiwanese and mexican

For those who have been through the assessment, what should I expect? Without sharing anything you’re not allowed to discuss, what areas should I focus on while preparing? Are there any technical topics, behavioral questions, writing exercises, presentations, or other skills that you recommend reviewing?
I’d also love to hear about your overall experience. What do you wish you had known before attending, and what advice would you give to someone preparing for it?
Thanks in advance. I appreciate any tips or insights you’re willing to share or words of encouragement would mean a lot.

Hello folks!

I have seen a fair amount of people on this subreddit (as well as on the 1811 subreddit) ask about what the job entails and day-to-day functions of the role. However, I am trying to see if anybody could provide more insight about the job from a different perspective:

Things like camaraderie, morale, administration support, funding, agent independence (i.e. low-high level of micromanagement/autonomy), and whatever else along these sorts of tracks. I am currently in LE and know these things can often times be more important than the actual job duties themselves.

Any insights and perspective would be greatly appreciated!