US Department of State Reviews

Pros

- you get a lot of exposure
- you learn a a lot about international affairs
- lots of intelligent and interesting people

Cons

- bureaucratic
- very structured and slow employment process

Advice to Senior Management

Interns are very eager to learn and work, but are under utilized. Give more opportunities for them to prove themselves.

Pros

I was able to meet people from all walks of life, learn from their experiences, and grow as an individual.

Cons

This was an unpaid internship. It was only three months as well. I would have liked to stay longer, but it ended.

Advice to Senior Management

Encourage interns to go beyond their day to day interactions, even if it is outside the normal path of the internship.

Pros

During the summer, most FSOs take the summer off, leaving the office somewhat understaffed, which can be a great opportunity to impress your supervisor. Interns are given actual work, at times, multiple tasks and projects to balance at a time. In return, at least for me, I've been staffed to attend high level conferences and ceremonies, including visits from VP Biden, CJCS Mullen, etc. There are of course many opportunities to interact with top officials and senior diplomats, even the ambassador and deputy chief of mission. Everyone at the embassy is incredibly nice and very hospitable. And lastly, housing is provided!

Cons

It ends in ten weeks.

Also, the clearance process is a real pain - you could be waiting for three to four months, and just when you are about to give up, they might call you and have you fly in within the week. A costly flight.

Advice to Senior Management

Hire more interns!

I'm sure future interns and officers would be tremendously appreciative if the clearance process was simplified and expedited.

Pros

Opportunity to serve your country, gain overseas work experience on important issues.
Good expat benefit package, including housing and education allowance.
Unique opportunities like full-time language training, one-year paid sabbaticals for university training, 4-5 week paid leave every other year.
Immune to economic conditions and very stable - you've got a job for life.

Cons

A vertical hierarchical nightmare obsessed with bureaucracy and standard operating procedures.
A culture that rewards seniority over performance - not a meritocracy.
No opportunities for fast-track promotions for the best performers.
Low salaries compared with private sector jobs.

Advice to Senior Management

Be dynamic - hire faster, dare to shed poor performers, value performance.

Pros

Stability, Exelent health insurance, Exelent benefits, Friendly work enviroment, Good salary, Well organized work place, Competent management, Friendly enviroment, Ability fo career advancement.

Cons

There is really not much of minuses I can tell about this organization. It is one of the best places to work in Moscow.

Advice to Senior Management

The management of Amarican Embassy Moscow is very proffesional and it created very good work enviroment for employees and the guests of the Embassy.

Pros

Lots of holidays
No taxes
Lots of perks

Cons

Local Staff
Services in building are old and uncomfy

Pros

constant change and potential for growth, always something new and different, lots of travel, and good job security even in economic downturns, but there are negatives as well.

Cons

very political, both in terms of personal and party politics; the enployees have unparalleled expertise, but are often not asked to contribute objectively and only if they don't disagree or make waves.

Advice to Senior Management

use the resources you've got, listen carefully, provide feedback, and keep an open mind. when they recomment changes, implement them.

Pros

An opportunity to work on a wide range of important global issues.
Highly talented people who are committed to serving the country.

Cons

Bureacracy is still strongly resistant to change.

Advice to Senior Management

Stay focused on reform priorities.

Pros

Good hours regular work schedule, job security

Cons

Low growth advancement opportunities. Low pay relative to private sector.

Pros

-- good salary/benefits
-- job satisfaction
-- job security

Cons

-- bureaucratic pace and thinking

Advice to Senior Management

Focus on fewer goals and initiatives. There are too many unfunded initiatives that are worthy but disconnected, even incoherent