“Since I’ve been here, I’ve learned interpersonal skills, working with directors, folks from all levels of government, working with people who aren’t inside the government…the different and totally vast opportunities that the Department offers are unparalleled in comparison to other agencies.”

“The people that I work with are just so professional, so well-meaning we’re all drawn together by a collective sense of mission. It may not be identical in the details of how it’s done, but it’s a shared vision for improvement, and encourages me….”

“I’ve had an opportunity to evaluate policies…to look at the interaction and coordination between other agencies within a mission. There’s great satisfaction in being able to wake up every morning and looking forward to being able to go to work because there’s something challenging and new waiting for me.”

“I would definitely encourage anybody, no matter what age, to definitely look at the State Department… I don’t have the political science or international type background. I studied sociology, business, and Russian.”

“What the Department of State offers is do something for my country… that was the most inviting aspect to it all. It’s very difficult to live in Washington and not be a part of the political scene.I think that once you connect, you begin to understand what Washington is all about….”

“I had the opportunity to talk about my experiences as an American, as somebody who wasn’t born here but grew up here, learned to speak different languages…I think I was able to broaden perspectives of the people that I met who had a very narrow view of what it is to be an American.”

“…when I’m thanked for the work I do because somebody has desperately needed a service that we provide. I think that sense of accomplishment, that sense of helping and belonging to something greater than myself, is very important, that call to public service. ”

“…I’ve become more aware of political issues internationally. I’m more sensitive to those issues now, especially women’s rights and other issues that we find in other countries. It has given me awareness and sensitivity that I don’t think I had before.”

“…it is an amazing lifelong opportunity to be a part of this great country and help in the Department’s diplomatic mission and working with countries around the world to build a more secure and prosperous country for people from all over the world.”