The Foreign Service Journal, October 2012

40 OCTOBER 2012 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Foreign Service Single R eally, I don’t think anyone in the Foreign Service thinks about the single people except the single people. If I hear “You’re so lucky to be doing this as a single person” one more time, I’m going to smack some- one. Yes, I am responsible only for my own happiness, but if something has to get done, I have to do it. The three people I care most about in the world are on the other side of the planet. I have to deal with the constant explanations about American culture with the locals and why it’s really okay to be over 30 and unmarried. Community liaison officers are so focused on spousal employment and entertaining the kids that they haven’t the first clue about what single peo- ple would like for support (e.g., where are exercise/sports/ dance/art classes in town, vets and pet support services, adult-only social activities or long weekend trips?). Housing committees and executive offices don’t think through the security implications of coming home alone at night after dark (except to say “it looked fine during the day” or “don’t do it”). To a certain extent, I think USAID is trying—I really value the knowledge that I could addmy par- ent to my travel orders and the tickets to get home to the U.S. for an emergency. However, if something happens to me and I can’t make my own decisions medically, someone still has to buy her own ticket to come to wherever I am to make those decisions for me. The agency will pay for a spouse and children, but not for any other decision-makers. —A female USAID officer in Asia Another new hire isn’t sure all her peers are in it for the long haul: “Some of my younger colleagues, who are right out of school, chose the Foreign Service because they couldn’t find jobs elsewhere. I would be surprised if many of them stayed in for their whole careers.” Joining the Foreign Service is a lifestyle commitment, as well as a professional commitment. And it is primarily the “life” side of the equation that gives people pause. Among the majority who hope to remain in the Foreign Service for a long- term career, half also say that family considerations, especially spousal employment, will determine how long they actually stay. Other top concerns relate to a healthy work-life balance, opportunities to use their skills during early tours, and the need to improve management. “Our generation is most concerned about the types and availability of jobs in the coming years,” says the second-career FSO in India. Those who are not consular track, she adds, worry that it will be several tours before they can serve in their chosen track. This is not a new concern. On management issues, another new FSO says State must do better at “keeping good managers and weeding out bad ones, before they’ve done a lot of damage.” A disappointed second-career FSO serving in a political/ economic position at a small post puts it bluntly: “This is the wrong career for me. I am leaving the Foreign Service at the conclusion of my current assignment. While I realize that I am a ‘junior officer,’ I also have a doctorate, two master’s degrees and a lot of experience doing complicated and high-responsi- bility activities. The Foreign Service does not allow me to exer- cise creativity, responsibility or independence. Instead, I am a micromanaged, eternal control officer who occasionally writes watered-down cables that still take weeks to months to clear.” A facility manager says he hopes and plans for his FS job to become a long-term career. “Leaving a highly compensated career in the private sector for an honorable cause was easy. Staying in a job as the veil is lifted on the idiosyncrasies and day-to-day working of the State Department will be challeng- ing. I committed myself to three tours. We shall see what expe- riences during this journey lead me deeper down the rabbit hole or closer to the exit sign.” Spousal Employment Matters Although its importance for FS families is not new, spousal employment appears to be the single greatest concern for the new generation. We asked respondents whether they expect their spouse or partner to have a career, and how significant the issue is in determining how long they will stay in the Foreign Service. Approximately half of those responding say they expect their spouse or partner to have a career; the other half point to a desire for spousal employment opportuni- ties but not necessarily career track positions. Several single employees mention that while the question is currently “not applicable” for them, they anticipate spousal employment opportunities will become an issue in the future. A number of respondents note that if their spouse or partner could not find the right employment opportunities, they would leave the FS. A political officer serving in sub-Saharan Africa says he would love to spend his entire career in the FS, and doesn’t plan to get out until age requires he leave—but added that his professional career depends “on my wife being able to retain hers.” This goes for tandem couples, as well. Several tan- FOCUS THE NEW FS GENERATION