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U.S. Department of State Employee Reviews about "state department"
Updated Nov 28, 2023
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Full-time, Part-time
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Found 1,827 of over 2K reviews
78% Recommend to a Friend
92% Approve of CEO
Found 51 of over 2K reviews
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Antony Blinken
246 Ratings
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Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
Pros
- "Great people; Intelligent and hardworking teammates on my team; State really pushes for optimum work" (in 123 reviews)
- "Great opportunity to get a clearance and exposure to the United States Government and Foreign Policy." (in 80 reviews)
Cons
- "far from your own country, poor management, difficult for singles AND married couples." (in 47 reviews)
- "Federal bureaucracy and lots of red tape as a result; long security clearance process; internship was unpaid and abroad thereby incurring personal spending." (in 35 reviews)
Ratings by Demographics
This rating reflects the overall rating of U.S. Department of State and is not affected by filters.
Reviews about "state department"
Return to all Reviews- 3.0Feb 9, 2019Anonymous InternFormer Intern, less than 1 yearWashington, DC
Pros
It was interesting to be inside the State Department and see how the internal budgeting and funding process works. Also you get a secret security clearance
Cons
Not much work for interns. Lots of down time. Unpaid.
- 5.0Oct 28, 2010IT SpecialistCurrent Employee
Pros
For a government job, the benefits are fantastic. Excellent free housing overseas. Free education for under 18s. Great lifestyle and excellent pay. The training is top notch. The State Department has its own 'campus' and will give you plenty of training at government expense. Instruction can be a year or more if you are learing a foreign language. I don't regret a second I spent in the Department.
Cons
Having to uproot every two or three years is a real challange. It's very hard on families, especially children. Life can be tough in some Third World countries.
- 5.0May 25, 2016Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee
Pros
Great learning experience for those looking to get into the foreign service. Able to be involved with a lot of exciting work as an intern with plenty of support from FSO and other State Department staff.
Cons
Not many drawbacks to speak of. A stipend would have been nice for food and other expenses but other than that the work environment was great.
- 3.0Aug 15, 2015Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 10 yearsWashington, DC
Pros
In the U.S. Foreign Service, you see the world, work on high level issues, have some truly amazing colleagues.
Cons
The system of management at the State Department is problematic There are significant written and unwritten rules. Assignments and promotions do not follow the stated rules at all, and the process of 'bidding' for your new job and location every two or three years is very stressful. Your life literally depends on these rules, and since they're applied more capriciously than you might thinkk, you never know when you're going to be on the good side or the bad side of the 'system.'
3 - 4.0Jul 31, 2021InternFormer Intern, less than 1 year
Pros
Good opportunity to learn about the workings of State Department personnel and the workings inside an embassy. People were very kind and welcoming. Also a great opportunity to travel.
Cons
The work was somewhat boring/ uninspiring, but I think that largely depends on whether or not you work in a very active post. I was working in the political and economic section of this embassy and the main work consists of writing cables to Washington about significant events happening in-country. Thus, if you're in a country where there aren't significant evolving events each day, the work can be very slow. Ridiculous that the internship is unpaid.
- 5.0Nov 11, 2016Consular Assistant - Sales AssociateCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsSanto Domingo
Pros
Working as a EFM for department of state give me opportunity to travel many countries.
Cons
Been far away from my family
- 4.0Sep 15, 2022Senior AdvisorCurrent Employee
Pros
There are some good opportunities for subject matter experts and administrative professionals at the Department of State.
Cons
There is a clear split between opportunities for Foreign and Civil Service, so be careful what you are applying for.
- 4.0Oct 30, 2014InternCurrent Intern, less than 1 yearEdinburgh, Scotland
Pros
Ability to work on a diverse array of interesting projects and interact with high level government officials in the country to which you are posted.
Cons
There is a lot of bureaucracy within the State Department and this can be see in there slow adoption of technology. Some of the technology systems are built in house and are flat out terrible to work with.
- 5.0Mar 13, 2021InternFormer Intern, less than 1 yearWashington, DC
Pros
There's so many people that are willing and wanting to help you learn and explore offices within the State Department.
Cons
Very bureaucratic sometimes. Things take a long time to process.
- 4.0Feb 3, 2014Senior Assistant to the RSOCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsBaghdad
Pros
I was working for Department of State In Baghdad Iraq and the team I worked with over the past three years have been great. Time Off, Travel opportunities, and very good salary.
Cons
Unable to have my family with me and the separation over time becomes stressful. The country is not safe and therefore you are confined to specific locations.
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