Coffee with a Diplomat: Informal Session with Michael Thurston

by Ena Barisic

A room of interested students had the pleasure of engaging in an intimate discussion foreign affairs positions with Michael Thurston, Senior Foreign Service Officer (SFSO) of the U.S. Department of State. The event was arranged by the Center for European Studies at UF. Thurston has visited the University of Florida campus previously in Fall of 2014.  The purpose of this year’s informal session was to recruit and inform students about career options at the State Department, including jobs as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO). The Department seeks increased representation from the Southeast to bolster diversity and promote equal regional participation.

Thurston began the session with an account of his experiences, his service, and the impact of the State Department on his life.  Thurston served in Afghanistan as the advisor and senior civilian to the Special Operations Joint Task Force/NATO Special Operations Command and as the acting ambassador in Burma. His previous posts include Australia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Mexico, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Thurston discussed the application process in detail. As an FSO, you represent the United States overseas, thereby playing a vital role in foreign affairs, a role that the U.S. Department of State does not take lightly. Applying for the FSO position consists of multiple rounds of pass/fail assessments: qualification/registration for the FSO test, passing the FSO test, submission of a personal narrative to the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP), passing an oral test, and passing the medical and security clearance. Lastly, the QEP will do a final review of your file before offering acceptance. Once accepted, candidates must select one of five tracks: Consular, Economic, Management, Political, or Public Diplomacy. Thurston advised listeners to carefully consider this decision, because although it can be done, the process to switch tracks is highly complicated.

Thurston’s enthusiasm for the position allowed him to express the personal benefits of the job in an enticing way. When he applied, he was originally attracted to the prospect of travelling, while serving his country. As an experienced diplomat, he is now humbled by the relationship he makes with diverse groups around the globe. He says that this appreciation for people “can’t be taught in textbooks.”