The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2005

Flash forward to summer 2002. I was not on the list of those selected for promotion — i.e., I was mid-ranked. What had I done in the intervening year? I had been one of only two FSOs selected to spend a year as a John L. Weinberg Fellow at Princeton University, where I got my mas- ter’s degree in public policy. In the normal eight for-credit cours- es I had received the following grades: 6 As and 2 A- minuses. I had also, quite exceptionally, taken an addi- tional two courses as audits, in order to take as much advantage of the experience as possible. I had hosted brown-bag events for Princeton students to discuss and promote the State Department as a career option. I had taught a seminar in a local middle school. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 I had served as a panelist at a packed-house discussion of terrorism — along with a colleague from the CIA and two Princeton professors. I had received a stellar evaluation for my personnel file from the dean of the school. In short (he said modestly), I had performed exceptionally well. Yet I was no longer on the list for promotion. It is on this basis that I have seri- ous doubts about the degree to which our system values and respects training. I would add that it was a wonderful experience and I have absolutely no regrets about attending the uni- versity, but it was decidedly not career-enhancing. (Epilogue: The promotion panels do value working in the field. The following year, as principal officer in Calcutta, I was promoted to FS-1.) George N. Sibley Consulate General Calcutta  F O C U S 40 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 Get Your Finances In Line With SDFCU Online You can depend on State Department Federal Credit Union for the ultimate in security and convenience with SDFCU Online banking. This FREE service allows you to access your Credit Union accounts via the Internet anytime, from anywhere in the world. Just go to www.sdfcu.org and click the SDFCU Online logo. You can conduct the following Credit Union business: Transfer funds between accounts Check current account balances View your account history over the last 15 months View check images View and pay your credit card bill online Pay Bills and much more!* See just how easy SDFCU Online is! Visit us at www.sdfcuonline.org and check out the easy demo! If you’re interested in becoming a member of State Department Federal Credit Union, give our Member Service Center a call at 703- 706-5000 , or outside the D.C. Metro area at 800-296-8882 . You can also email us at sdfcu@sdfcu.org . SDFCU Online puts us at your service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whenever you need us the most. Sign up today! *The Bill Payer service is available at no charge for Capital Club members. Otherwise, there is a low monthly fee of $3.95 for unlimited transactions. I have absolutely no regrets about attending the university, but it was decidedly not career-enhancing.