Curious to know others’ opinion if presented this opportunity. Am a mid-level consultant making $200k TC. After 3+ yrs of testing, retesting, interviews, etc..i was given a contingent offer as a FSO with State Dep. currently going thru clearances. Pay around $106k to start with but housing and private school is paid for, plus 15-30% additional pay for “certain” posts. Involves moving with fam every two years, wife wont work, but should b interesting work for me as a diplomat. Would you go 4 it?

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

At best: a 25% pay cut where you get to chill in London and Paris

At worst (much more realistic): 45% pay cut where you can never settle down with family and have to work in unsafe countries where you don’t speak the language

That’s a no for me dawg

like

Indeed, you’ve helped solidify my decision. TY

I was a diplomat’s kid; lived in Africa. My dad did 31 yrs as a senior foreign service officer. Loved my experiences in retrospect, but at the time I hated being uprooted every several years and losing my friends each time. It’s a very hard pass from me. Incredibly tough on wife and kids.

like

I understand why people want to do it. It’s really fulfilling work. The unspoken side of the foreign service is the effect on your family. It’s seen as glamorous until reality kicks in living in an unaccompanied post. I chose not to do it because I would be asking my wife to give up her own career and ambitions and I just can’t do that (I know your situation is different). Ultimately, it’s a family decision, in my opinion.

like

It is a rough lifestyle. I was a civilian at State and have a number of friends who are career foreign service and diplomatic security. For every cushy posting to a, say, London, there are 20 postings to a consulate in an impoverished country with locals who might be hostile to your presence, or diplomatic incidents might result in your being kicked out of the country as was the case with several friends who were ejected from Russia during that kerfuffle.

It can be immensely rewarding and also very dangerous, very unglamorous, and involve constant uprooting of your family.

While I was a young civvie at State, I thought about going the FSO route, but it would be a hard pass for me now.

like

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

I’ve worked for the state dep as a consultant before and have actually thought about applying years ago to an FSO job. After seeing what many FSOs do, it may not be as exciting as the department makes it look. A large amount of time is spent doing administrative type work with foreign nationals or citizens abroad and doing data input / case management. There are great benefits though.

Other downside I’ve seen that if you’re looking to become a higher profile diplomat one day then it’s not a straight shot. Sometimes, ambassadors come from outside the department and not from the ranks of the FSOs.

All in all, it could be a great opportunity to go experience something completely unique. It’s a very tough selection process so congrats!

Edit: you could always come back to consulting no problem if you don’t like it after a few years

like

Thanks for sharing! I can handle anything and i am really looking forward to it. I am just concerned for my family. But yeah, lots of cons and pros

This is totally a lifestyle decision

Just make sure you go in eyes open to the unglamorous aspects of the job

like

Right. I was just curious to see how others feel about this opportunity if they were in my shoes.

was a diplomat’s kid if you want to Dm

like

This is a personal life dream of mine. That said, I think it would be too hard on my wife and kids to have to move around that much.

like

I would take it 100%. FSO is extremely competitive, so congratulations. I’m only here long enough to pay off all my loans and then go back somewhere to feel like I am actually making a difference in the world.

like

Thats a great position to be in. I came from the military so the moving thing was something we were already used to, I have a couple friends who are FSOs now, with kids, and they really like it.

like

What is the housing limit ?

Depending on the country, but somewhere around $3k / month

No. While it definitely would be interesting, but too challenging logistically.

Hot take: Sounds like a midlife crisis kind of decision of doing something drastic but flavorful because you're bored in consulting and getting anxious about a slow moving family life and aging sapping the excitement of your youth. Career or general counseling may be in order.

Not at all. My life is great as is and not boring in the least.. but FSO is something that i’ve been working towards for a while. My mind is set, i was just curious what others thought.

like

Related Posts

When you have a really good interview on Friday and they say “look out for an update pretty soon”

*Refresh* *Refresh* *Refresh*

Already mid Monday and second guessing myself.

like

Year 1: Should I be applying for analyst roles and studying for CFA if I know I don't want to stay in audit or work on getting my CPA and wait another busy season before I apply/request for transfer?

like

Automatic red flag to have an engagement kickoff just before the holidays, receive emails at all hours of the day (to include weekends/holidays), be told there’s a lot to do but “it’ll be a great opportunity”, and then be told leadership wants people to prioritize work life balance? Figured I’d be looking for an exit soon, but this just pushed it up.

likefunny

Any idea where to go post BizOps? My friends and I are getting a bit bored having done the role for a while now.

Looking for roles $250K+ (roughly L4 at Google BizOps or Product Strategy Lead at Facebook).

like

So happy to finally be posting with my new title! I’ve been looking to get into a Product department since early 2020. In my case resilience was key in the face of constant, daily rejections. Also I’m in my 40s so don’t lose hope! It’s never too late to pivot your career.

likeuplifting

Anyone here interviewed at or work for Nice? Would like to hear your thoughts/experience. Thanks in advance!

like

Hi all,
I am tech guy with almost 3yr exp, but I want to switch to a Management role. Going for an MBA is not possible for me. I was wondering about the possibility to switch to a management role within the next 2 years without an MBA. Company/Brand is not a bar for me.
Can somebody please suggest how to do this?

like

Looking to understand the salary range for an executive level/managing account director at a large advertising agency.

like

Hello guys, I am a ML Engineer by profession and have recently heard about the AI Centre of Excellence at TCS.

I've that the COE team is supposed to guide TCS employees on client end. However, I've also heard that as they do not generate any profits, TCS moves them to client side as soon as possible.

Could anyone please share some insights about work at the AI COE at TCS? How's the team and how's overall growth in terms of skills and payscale? Are there any drawbacks of joining AI COE?

like
like

Advise on handling rates negotiations with BIPOC and non-male creators? I always want to accept first bid and get uncomfortable when my bosses push to undercut rates (especially now when money is tight), because there is a whole history of BIPOC and non-male people getting paid less. I’ve tried to push back but struggle to articulate this to them. (For the record, I’m POC female and my bosses are white males, and race/gender convos are already very difficult with them.)

like

Hey, can someone guide me on the average hike in Tredence and how much CTC can a L3 (Associate Manager) expect in Tredence?

like

What does it take to get promoted from Level 7 to Level 6 in the SAP Products stream?

like

How t save tax for 9 lpa salary. Can anybody help me out.

like

Top NYC communications marketing agency - EP role onsite for 6-8 weeks. Day rate and hours per day? Any ot or other considerations?

What is the best product discipline/culture companies in Canada. Does Faang companies have a good culture to grow?

like

Currently my base is 139K, SC2 commercial and the target promotion year is 2022. What % of base salary hike I can expect with exceptional ratings if I get promoted as planned? 👏

like

FDD people who are not interested in pursuing the partner route, what would be the best title to exit? Senior/Manager/Senior Manager?

like

I have offer from KPMG India and PWC AC Banglore. Package is almost the same. PWC AC has Canada shift with permanent wfh and KPMG India has hybrid work model in pune location. Please suggest which one is better in terms of growth , wlb , culture etc

like
like

More Posts

Hi.. I am happy to join here. Seems to be an amazing platform.

like

This is so true. People are way too easily lead. It's maddening.

Post Photo
likefunny

At what age did you become 100% financially independent? I.e. not a single thing paid for by parents including things like staying under their insurance

Interested in investing in real estate. How to even begin and what apps should I be using?

like

Last minute request...

Post Photo
likefunny

Hi Friend,

Could you please let me know about vacancies for Consultant or Senior Consultant position in a Management Consulting firm?

I have 2.5 YOE post MBA in Power and Utilities in a Big 4 company.

Thanks for your time.

like

What are the best roles in big tech for someone with tech backround/software development experience ~1.5yoe with an MBA and consulting ~2.5yoe?

Thanks!!

like

Has anyone thought about what would happen if Fishbowl gets Ashley Madison-ed?

like

Does anyone else constantly have lint in their belly button? Can be 30 minutes post-shower, right when waking up, mid-day, it doesn’t matter.

likefunny

Asked my manager whether the company sponsor for Product Owner certifications and he asked me to build/ create a case and share with him so that we can check with the higher management.

Any ideas/ guidance on how to go about it? Are there are templates for this?

like

Watching the faces of new hires as busy season progress from 🤗😊😳😒😕😧😮😱😵

like

Do different companies have a methodology dedicated to technology change? Like tech implementation? Or is it specific to the product? Or high level to org change?

Got an offer for 60k pounds + bonus for London location at Sr Consultant level in FS industry. How good/bad is the offer? Please suggest.

CCTC: 24lpa in India
Workex post MBA: 3.5 yrs
Total workex: 6.5 yrs

like

Does JP Morgan provide phones to its employees just like other Asset Management firms and IBs

like

Hello Fishes,

Have offer from Deloitte USI, Accenture and PwC India. Deloitte giving more package than others. Which one is better considering S4 Projects(Development), Exposure to new technologies in SAP ?

Skill SAP PPQM YOE 3.8

like

What will be salary for 3yrs data scientist

like

Hi
Has anyone used/given coderbyte sql assessement.
Just trying to get a little more understanding on it.

I am a Business Analyst. I have 10 years of working experience in India. In May 2022 I will complete MSc Business Analytics from Maynooth university.
In the past I have lead a team of analyst performing multiple activities like sales analytics, web analytics on Google analytics, I have also worked as a scrum master in certain projects
I have worked with tools like tableau, power BI and now alteryx any suggestions for the job role I should look forward to?

like

How have you seen telehealth and virtual care affect the admin side of the industry?

like

Any recs for insightful and well written books on entrepreneurship? Friend is trying to launch his own startup so I’m thinking of sending him a relevant book as part of a thank you gift

like

Additional Posts in Consulting

“The longer I put off starting my own firm, the longer it can remain a dream and not something I screwed up at.” — Ted Mosby, How I Met Your Mother

likefunnysmartuplifting

A first for me, after 1.6 million miles. Thankful for a delay. The delay on the connector saved me a night at ord Hilton after the ludicrous delay on the first leg.t. Truly grateful united

like

Looking for help articulating / explaining how inflation has a greater impact on lower paid employees than higher paid employees. I'm having a difficult time framing the toll of a decrease to income, above fixed costs, for those who have less income than others.

like

Who else is missing checked luggage after a recent flight through AMS?

like

McKinsey & Company Folks - why do recruiters ask the question - are you interviewing at other places? Or, have you just started looking? What is a good response to these questions? EY-Parthenon Deloitte Accenture EY McKinsey & Company Boston Consulting Group

like

Can someone give me advice on how to wake up consistently at 6 am? I’ve been trying for weeks but I’ve been able to manage it a few times. Usually I’m so tired I go back to sleep and wake up by 8. I go to bed around 11-12

likefunny

Anyone have good book recommendations that I can learn from and are entertaining? Trying to survive a 10 hour flight this weekend 🆘🆘🆘

like

Hey 🐠, what are your recommendations of books, articles, or practice tips to improve communication, both verbal and written? Want to be stronger at running meetings, pitching ideas, writing (cont’d)

like

Looking for ex-consultants who have existed in Finance & Accounting in Tech. Which teams/companies have reasonable compensation and 40 hours ?

like

How much severance should you expect after getting booted after 1 year. I got 3 months salary

like

Where is the excel with the best Hilton discount corporate codes

like

Any book recommendations on handling office politics?

like

Best consulting firms for PE work (CDD,Value Creation)? Looking for the best firm for exit ops to PE ops eventually. Thanks!

like

Industry hire here. 6 months in and still feel very isolated. I’ve been in a remote project since I joined. Thinking about going back to industry. Anyone dealt with similar challenges?

like

Can you get monkeypox from hotels or seats on airplane?

funnysmart

Received an offer from Boston Consulting Group for a PL1 and am curious to what can be negotiated. I assume base is set but can other factors changed? Also, an input on the position would be appreciated.

like

OTS is growing rapidly and leadership has asked us SMs to assist with recruiting. One of our needs is for cybersecurity and data privacy consultants interested in M&A e.g. CISSP, CISA, CIPP, CIPM, etc

like

Sweetgreen or Chopt?

likefunny

Bain & Company What are the best consulting firms and practice areas for Energy/Utilities advisory?

Additionally which companies and roles offer the best exit?

McKinsey & Company Boston Consulting Group Bain & Company Oliver Wyman EY-Parthenon Accenture Deloitte EY

like

Had an offer from Meta before going with PwC back in Jan (more money at Mgr level) but now that I’m traveling again, working longer hours, considering to apply again. Been contacted twice by the recruiter to do so, but not sure what to do… anyone have advice? Knowledge of both sides?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal