Stephanie Felton, a Foreign Service Specialist who serves as a Construction Engineer, describes her path to the Foreign Service, at the U.S. Department of State
“This career brings skills that you never though you would need. You need to produce solutions quick – think, react and act. The situations aren’t generally stuff that psychiatrist aren’t trained to do but we are asked to help, so it’s exciting.”
“What is really amazing about this career path is that every post has something really interesting to offer, it’s like a new job when going to every country.”
“The State Department is an excellent place to work. People are our greatest assets. You get to meet different people from different walks of life, from different backgrounds. To me, that is the America I know and want to represent.”
“The Foreign Service is a unique job skill set that you really must be prepared for – the uncertainty of the position. You’re going to be out of your comfort zone but its job like no other. You’re a manager. You’re a traveler. You’re a diplomat.”
“I think it is important for us to get out there, keep these strong relationships and also educate everyone back here to how the whole world is interconnected. And all too often, I don’t think people really understand that your clothes that you wear, your car that you drive how your economics are tied up in other countries. People don’t understand these impacts.
“I tell engineers all the time. You can do great work here. You can provide a public service, you can serve your country, and you can see the best parts of the world.”
“A whole worldwide experience which you really can’t get any other way, and at the same time still use your skills and your talent for practicing medicine and psychiatry.”