Career Aspirations within the FCO

Matt asked a few weeks ago about where I see my career going within the FCO. For me, I think thats a really difficult question. Given that my first (current) job is in the Middle East and North Africa Directorate, I am currently thinking about how great it would be to live and work in the Middle East. However, I think it is still too early to tell which direction I would like to go in. At the moment I'm just thinking about getting through the next two years in London and then seeing what opportunities come up. I can't think of anywhere I wouldn't want to go, and I still feel that there are a lot of different types of jobs in the office that I would like to learn more about. So - options wide open for me at the moment!

In general though, I think the kind of posts that people aspire to within the FCO are really varied. The position of Ambassador is, of course, highly respected and a fantastic position to attain. But there are lots of other roles in the FCO that may not spring to mind so quickly. These roles are also challenging and rewarding and include managing a geographical area from the UK, working on secondment in other government departments (or NGOs or private sector organisations), working in the crisis response unit, public diplomacy, press office, promoting diversity across the office, strategic policy planning, HR, finance and consular work. Individual interests (and availability of jobs!) really guide your next steps within the organisation and there are enough fascinating jobs in the FCO that I think most people are content to take each new challenge as it comes.

Posted at 10:11 16 February 2008 by Sarah Russell  |  Comments[6]