Government job: MBA + Graduate Diploma in IR vs Master/Specialization

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by filippo, Oct 3, 2013.

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  1. filippo

    filippo New Member

    Hello everyone -

    I'd like to hear from people working in government or public sector.

    My background: I have an MBA in International Management and I just completed a rather useless Executive Certificate in Global Leadership from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Prior to that, I earned my Bachelor in Interdisciplinary studies (Communication and Spanish) from Arizona State University. I'm fluent in Italian and Spanish, and also have dual citizenship (US & Italian-EU). Experience wise, for the past 8 years I've been a Managing Director at a national level, working with CEO, President, and VPs.

    Here's my dilemma: I'd like to switch career and get a job at either the US or Italian Embassy. Any sort of government job that deals with international affairs interests me.

    Should I:

    A) Get a Graduate Certificate in International Relations from LSE?
    1 year, 4 courses, $2K

    or

    B) Go for another master that specializes in IR, perhaps the MA in Global Diplomacy from SOAS?
    2 years, 4 courses + dissertation, $16K

    I know these two fields aren't exactly identical and diplomacy is more of a specialization, but I am just wondering if, considering I already have a master, option A would be enough to get me into a government career.

    Thanks :)
     
  2. filippo

    filippo New Member

    anyone? :)
     
  3. filippo

    filippo New Member

    Thanks. Because I am sick in the head and can't stop enrolling into new programs. :p Seriously speaking, I don't have any background in political science, government, or international affairs and I feel it'll be tough to beat competition. That test isn't everything they look at, thus a specialized education rather then an MBA would give me a better chance of getting admitted.

    Thanks for the link.
     
  4. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    C) Neither, you have enough degrees already. I'm with Cogitus, go ahead and start applying, and, at least as importantly, start networking if you haven't been doing so already.
     
  5. filippo

    filippo New Member

    Love the C! Thanks :)
     
  6. GeneralSnus

    GeneralSnus Member

    The Foreign Service Officer selection process really isn't concerned with how much education you have or what your fields of study were. It is a complete meritocracy; only the best performers at each stage advance. Even the interview is scored not so much by your answers, but whether or not your answers hit upon the 13 dimensions sought in an FSO. You'll notice there is no minimum postsecondary education requirement. Granted there are a lot of FSOs from top-rated schools, but that has more to do with the fact that their educations have given them exposure to the 13 dimensions that State looks for in FSOs.
     
  7. filippo

    filippo New Member

    That makes sense. GREAT info! It's time to start studying for the FSO test then. Thank you.
     

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