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.”
by Ena Barisic
