Most academic institutions prepare their students for academic careers; however, other viable options include joining the public service. Approximately 20 percent of federal employees have a master's degree, professional degree, or doctorate, and about one in four American Nobel laureates have been federal employees. This panel discusses how to join the public service at The U.S. Department of State and USAID can be an opportunity to work on high priority issues that impact diplomacy, security, and development in the world, including human rights, environment, energy, food security, public health, and technology – all while experiencing a unique career opportunity. The panel will examine the various career opportunities and challenges to joining the foreign service (FSO) or the civil service and the pathways programs for students.
Rita Stephan shares her experience combining her academic interests with pursuing a career in government. She will discuss her experience working in the Department of Commerce, State, and USAID. In addition to navigating the civil service career path, she will discuss various employment options including pathways programs. Additionally, she will highlight the importance of networking, engaging in employee support groups, and working with the interagency. Lastly, she will share how data, science and evidence are applied in decision-making and diplomacy.
Catherine Batruni shares her experience serving as the Chair for the Near Eastern Affairs Area Studies at the Foreign Service Institute in the State Department. She will discuss how her Ph.D. training at the American University of Beirut led her to a teaching career in the federal government, as well as make recommendations on potential job paths for recent graduates who want to expand their options beyond academia. Dr. Batruni will also explain how to search for jobs within the federal government that match one’s background, experience, and interests.
Ana Escrogima is the Consul General in the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal. She will share about her 18-year experience in the Foreign Service including serving as the Director for Regional and Multilateral Affairs in the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau, the Deputy Chief of Mission for Yemen, the Public Affairs Officer in Algeria, a political officer at the U.S. embassies in Iraq and Syria, and the Special Assistant to former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman. Ana will also discuss her engagement in academia having been a Rusk Fellow at Georgetown’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy and a Diplomat-in-Residence for the New York Metro area.
