FSOT of the Damned

Well... I took the FSOT yesterday. As you know by now, it was my second round, the first being in October 2009. Back then, I picked Consular. This time, I picked Public Diplomacy.

I cannot reveal content due to the NDA, but hooooooey, there were some headbangers on that Job Knowledge section! That test certainly did not leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. I remember walking out of the October 2009 test thinking, "Hmm. That seemed alright. I don't feel too bad!" This time, I walked out thinking, "Well, that was unpleasant."

EE was fine. Bio was fine. Essays were worded trickily, but they both went well enough. I did the usual five paragraph crank-out for both essays, and they were coherent. It seems that JK is going to be the wild card.

We'll see how it goes. Results will be reported in 3-5 weeks.

Here we go, here we go, here we go again

I said, Here We Go Again!

Today I received my invitation to schedule a seat for the FSOT. All the PD invites are starting to go out today, and fortunately, I was among the crowd.

I am still freaked out to be pursuing such a competitive cone, but I think it's a good fit. If it's meant to be, it'll happen. And it might not happen for a while... but that's okay. I'll keep trying.

So yes. I'm scheduled for the test. February 7th is the big day. I'd rather take the test on a Friday, but the testing facility isn't open on that particular day of the week. At least the facility is closer! And at least the facility is in the same town as my boyfriend. It'll make things easier. I can crash at his place, and then I can get up and be ready to go at the exam in ten minutes flat. This works for me.

I think I'll try to recreate my testing experience from last year as much as possible. Sunday, I'll take it easy. Have a good derby practice, eat a leisurely lunch, and get a pedicure. No studying. Drive to my boyfriend's place. Monday will be the test. I'll take that whole day off from work--keep my mind clear for what's important.

Game time. I love having crazy study goals like these. I haven't cracked a book yet, but I will start today. I'm not worried about the essay, even though there will be TWO of them this round. I'm also not worried about English Expression. I might skim a practice test in that, but English is my strength here. Bio... well, I'll do what I can! As always, the mysterious beast is Job Knowledge.

I feel strangely exhilarated by all of this. I always kind of enjoyed studying and taking tests in school. I think that's why I liked being on academic teams. You got questions? I got answers!

Anyway... I'm off to plan out my curriculum.

Project FSOT like it's hot begins NOW.

A New Year

Well, duh. Of course it's a new year. Everyone knows that. Except for people operating on a different calendar.

Anyway, today I submitted my registration for the FSOT. This will be my second attempt at the exam, and this time I signed up for the Public Diplomacy cone. I thought a long time about the various tracks, and the reality is, I like more than one of them. But after reviewing my resume and thinking about my work experience, I realized that PD is the best match for what I've already done with my life. It is also a good match for what I hope to do with my life, which is to help cultures build bridges and appreciate one another.

Ugh. I vom a little just seeing myself write that. I mean, I believe it. Deeply. This is what I'd like to do, but it simply sounds like such a Girl Scout thing to say. I was never a Girl Scout.

Needless to say, I'm nervous and excited. I passed the FSOT last time, but I didn't make it past the QEP stage. Now I've picked an ultra-competitive cone at a time when the registers are full, full, full, and the government decision makers are cut-cut-cutting the State Department's budget.

What can I do? Study hard and take the FSOT. Everything else is beyond my control.

I did try for the OMS position again when they reposted it. I wrote a pretty kickbutt series of narratives for the job application, too. Unfortunately, 12 months had not passed since my slapdash attempt at the OMS job in February. Next time. Next time.

I guess... stay posted for further updates. I'm awaiting an e-mail invitation to schedule my test. PD invites have not yet gone out, and as I am a very late registrant, I might not get a seat for the February window. I'd rather not wait until June, but shit happens.

Disappointment is My Favorite Flavor

Well, I got bounced out of the OMS running. There is always next year. C'est la vie!

FSOT in October. This time, with feeling.

MCAS, betch!

Another step forward. This ho done passed her MCAS in Word 2007. THUG LIFE. Now, hopefully, in two months, I will get news I want to hear from the State Department about being invited to the Oral Assessment for the FSS-OMS position.

Fingers crossed. Toes crossed. Cat's tail knotted and crossed. MEOW!

Foreign Service Specialist?

Well, I'm still vying for the FS after all. Right after I got my sad news from BEX about my FSO candidacy being shut down, I threw in an application to the Foreign Service Specialist -- Office Management Specialist field.

Basically, the FSS role is the day to day support of US Embassies. They are people who do IT work, HR, Office Management, Doctorin', etc. They aren't diplomats, but they are there in support of the US mission. They get to travel and do the good work, just in a different capacity. So I thought--why the hell not? And happily, I actually have more academic credentials than needed for the position, and some experience that I think translates into Office work.

OMS used to be referred to as FS-Secretary. I'm glad the title has changed! Secretary doesn't really describe what OMS workers do. It's more of a "My Man (or Woman) Friday" role than typist, which is what the word "secretary" makes me think of. I can do this. I can be someone's "Manservant Hecubus." See Kids in the Hall for the reference.

Anyway, I applied. And yesterday, they got back to me--they want to see my MCAS certification in Word 2007! I know it's just a small step forward, but at least they weren't like "GTFO!" or "Who the F do you think you are?" Those aren't my favorite reactions from people/potential employers. I guess I just have to go ahead and get the MCAS now. Hmm. Good thing I already know Word pretty well. Time to study! Thundercats are GO!

In other news, PAE also said I might be a potential match for some of their Embassy Support positions in Moscow/Beijing. And I've been applying for jobs in Kuwait, Djibouti, etc. One of these days, something amazing is going to happen. I just know it.

Breaking news: Ms. Saffy Monsoon is definitely up for an adventure. Yeah, big surprise there.

The Foreign Service is my ultimate goal. Be it as an FSO or an FSS, that is what I absolutely, most definitely want. The moment either of those things become a reality... well, I'd be beyond happy. In the meantime, however, I want to get some international experience. I'm young. I have no husband. I have no children. I should do this. I've talked about it my whole life, so I might as well just work like a dervish and make it happen. It's time to turn dreams into reality.

Don't Give Up

Well, I heard back from the lovely BEX contingent with my QEP Results.

Do not pass go, do not collect $500.

Needless to say, I am disappointed. I had hopes. I know it is not arbitrary, but based on the anecdotal evidence on the Yahoo forums--it certainly seems that way. At any rate, I'm going to retake the FSOT in October, and I'm going to start the process over. If it's as arbitrary as it feels, I could very well be arbitrarily selected next time around!

I may rethink my cone decision however. I had picked the Consular cone, but Public Diplomacy (which is a "tougher" cone to get into) feels like a good fit as well. It seems to play more to my talents and experience, while Consular works with my aspirations to work hard and fight the good fight in the trenches of Diplomacy. Ah well. I have about six months to see how I feel.

In the meantime, I'm going to begin studying French, and I'm going to try to be more active in the community... It's time to get my life a little more in order. Things are better in January 2010 than they were in January 2009. I am not without hope that things will get better. They're already pretty good.

As I learned in X-Files: I Want to Believe--Don't Give Up.

There is always hope. There is always a chance. And hell--at least I know more about the FS than I did before I started this process. I already know that I'm capable of passing the FSOT, and that's definitely an important hurdle.

Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger.

Don't Give Up.