Back to School Time - For Me, Too! (or: An EFM Job Update)

Lots of curious folks have asked what's new in my quest for getting a job here at post.  You know, the whole trying-to-get-an-EFM-job-at-post thing.


Just in case you've missed the story, the bottom line is that for a year I was in training at FSI (both in Chinese and in ConGen) in hopes to *qualify* for a certain job here at post (Professional Adjudication Specialist) in the Consular Section. But passing Chinese and ConGen were only the first steps in the quest to even qualify for this job... I have also gone through (and still would have to go through) other steps, as well.  


For example, I got to post in September, and I interviewed for the job in October. I was the only applicant for the position, so I guess I could make a joke here about how THE COMPETITION WAS FIERCE! (ha ha).  Somewhere along the line, I guess they decided to let me continue in the process for the job, because a few weeks after the interview I was told that the next step for me (in order to qualify for the job - I haven't been offered it yet) would be to go through the clearance process.  I applied for the clearance a few weeks ago.  It was quite a production.


After I clicked "send" or "submit" or whatever one clicks when one is totally done with all the eQUIP information gathering and compiling, I went on with my life.  I wasn't sure what to expect next.  Back when James was hired by DS in 2008, he was given phone numbers and email addresses that he could call or contact if he had questions or wanted to ask about updates... but I have nothing like any of that.  I actually pressed "send" or "submit" and then the window or page disappeared into never-never land, and that was all.  I didn't get any verification email or any "Okay! We got your application for your clearance!" notification or anything at all. Really- ever since submitting my stuff a few weeks ago, I've not heard one single thing about whether it was received or anything.  Who knows?  Maybe that's normal.


I've had people say to me, "Well, James is DS!  Surely James would know!" but James doesn't know.  I have heard rumors that other spouses in other countries who were hoping for jobs at post have been able to get something like a temporary clearance or an interim clearance that would allow them to start work immediately, but I have been offered no such thing. I've heard a rumor that interim clearances are only available in certain countries/posts and maybe mine isn't one of them. Who knows?  Certainly not I.  I mean, my clearance information was as spic and span as a real human being's can be, I would think. I didn't even have a single foreign contact or a single overseas visit anywhere.  I have good credit.  Again -who knows?  This process is a mystery.


After submitting all of the clearance information, I told myself that I would wait a while and see what happened. But since nothing has happened, I'm assuming that I won't get an interim clearance, and since I won't get an interim clearance, I'm assuming that, even if I am ultimately offered the job, it won't be for a long, long, LONG time.  We're talking multiple, multiple months.  I have heard rumors that EFM clearances can take up to 7 or 8 months to process... or more.  Again, who knows?  Certainly not I.  I'm just sort of along for the ride.


And you know what?  It's totally fine.  Truly and seriously.  Of course, if someone had told me right after I killed myself getting my 2/1+ in Mandarin and then, the next day, started (and then later passed) ConGen (all unpaid, of course, and with us not even being in Oakwood, but paying expensive rent that whole time) that I *wouldn't* have a job after I got to post, I would have pitched a royal hissy fit the size of Texas (as I am wont to do).  But now - it's actually, truly fine. 


One of the biggest reasons why I wanted the Chinese score and the Consular job here at post was because I really was seriously considering tossing my hat into the FSO ring.  You know, taking the test and hoping I could make it through the FSO hiring process.  I was hoping that my Chinese score and some time working in the Consulate would be beneficial for that (I mean, seriously, right now are *any* FSOs getting hired *without* language points?).  And maybe things will change... really, maybe they will... but at this point in time that ultimate goal/desire (to be an FSO when I grow up) has ebbed away and has been replaced with other interests. 


Bottom line?  I'm going back to school.  I'm starting on Monday morning with online classes (10 credit hours).  Yes, I have a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from a good school, but I'm sort of toying with changing to something completely and totally different. As in, so different it isn't even in the State ball park.


I'm excited!  Being in Chinese showed me that my crotchety old brain could still handle rigorous studying.  That even when sitting in class with 20-year-olds, I could still hold my own academically. Big time.


So not only do my sons go back to school on Monday morning... so do I!  We'll see where this ends up. I may hate being back in school.  I may hate studying something other than politics.  But China has no bilateral work agreement, which means that I literally am not allowed to get a job anywhere in Chengdu other than at the Consulate, and I can't get a job at the Consulate without a clearance, and I have no idea what in the world will ultimately happen with that, so it's time to spread my wings and try something that isn't State-related.  If I like it, I like it, and if I don't... no harm done!  


At least it's something to do and be really excited about!  Which, for us EFMs, really is half the battle.  If not more.  And yes, I truly am excited!  Which is a huge, huge blessing.
 

 

Comments

[Emily]

That is so exciting! I can't wait to hear more about it. What are you going to do when you grow up?

[Nomads By Nature]

Go Get'm Tiger!

[Carla Runs The World]

Why not sign up for the next FSO test? (At least here in Manila, it can be done locally.) What's the worst that can happen, aside from keeping you at your status quo?

And as for getting hired without language, my husband doesn't speak a word outside of English (ok, fair enough, he knows how to say thank you in a few languages, and even order a beer in Portuguese, but that doesn't count for points), and he got hired fine. So yeah, you got the smarts? Take the test (and now you prob WOULD pass the Chinese anyway, so yay!)

[A Daring Adventure]

Hi, Carla,

I already did pass Chinese. I passed it with a 2/1+, which was higher than the target score for the FSI class - a 2/1. My Chinese score is good for five years. The 2 in speaking (the first score) is enough to get me points during the FSO hiring process, were I to wish to take the exam. I would have no need to re-pass Chinese as I have already passed it.

The reason for me not to take the FSO exam is, quite frankly, that I have no desire right now to be an FSO. Perhaps that may change in the future, but that is how I feel right now. I'm sorry if my post wasn't clear.

[Stephanie]

Have fun!!

[Linsey]

Congrats on going back to school, good luck to you. In terms of your clearance, I have been through this and my advice is to stay on the local HR people -- they will not make you a priority unless you force them to do so. It is very easy to get lost in the shuffle and even if you decide that you don't really want the Consular job after all, no clearance means you can never have it. It took me almost a solid year to get my clearance and it turns out it was because people were simply not doing their jobs. It should have been just a couple of months, weeks actually and it was painfully longer. In this particular scenario, waiting and seeing is guaranteed to yield almost nothing. Good luck!

[Heather Dray]

Really really really REALLY proud of you! You've had a heckuva haul working on, well, EVERYTHING, and here you go jumping into something new. I KNOW you'll do awesome with school. You've got my full support, not that you need it :-), and I'm here if you need an ear to listen.

If you're still considering the FSO gig or EFM position, keep pushing for the clearance. The only reason I got mine so fast is that I had one already with the military (who knew my Reserves status could be so helpful?). Otherwise, I'd probably be in same boat as you. I know it's seriously frustrating, but I also know you can do anything you put your mind to.

And, as a final 'world of wisdom' (haha), remember you can always change your mind about what you want to be when you grow up. Really. Anytime.

Lots and lots of support from Cairo! XOXOXOXOXO Heather

[bfiles]

good for you! So you aren't going to tell you what you are going to study? Enjoy!

[TulipGirl]

You sound good. . . really. . .

I think you'll enjoy being back in school without the insane-Chinese-pressure you had at FSI. (It's going to be a walk in the park compared to FSI! Well, unless you're studying Chinese again. . . Please tell me you aren't!)

[TulipGirl]

And throwing my guess out there. . . I think you're taking prereqs to be a PA!

[Camille]

Yay!
And just think, in school you *might* actually be treated as a real, live, human being who has feelings, intelligent thoughts, and common sense! AND you can probably wear any shoes you want ;)
This is wonderful, I'm super happy for you...and a little jealous.

[Dan]

Very cool!! I think you'll enjoy taking the classes better knowing you're taking control of your future as opposed to just letting the Department decide what you can do.

[Melissa]

That is awesome!! What are you going to study this time around?