United States Foreign Service Officer Ray Sudweeks gave a forum on Thursday, Oct. 6 to share the benefits of his job and give advice for aspiring political science students.
Sudweeks was introduced as a successful Foreign Service Officer, or FSO, who has lived in many parts of the world such as Korea, Shanghai, Afghanistan, and Washington. He said a FSO acts as a diplomat to implement foreign policy.
Most of the discussion revolved around his career pathway as a Foreign Service Officer. Students asked how he balanced a stable family life with frequent moves and long work hours. According to Ray and his daughter, Charlotte Sudweeks, a junior political science major at BYU-Hawaii, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ray said, “The first two moves were really hard, but after that they saw how everything worked out and it seems like every new place is better than the last.”
Charlotte said she wanted to follow her parent’s career footsteps. “I think when my dad said he couldn't imagine why anyone would want to do anything else, I really feel like that because that’s all I know. My parents both love their jobs, and I’m really interested in the same issues that they’re interested in. I want to do the same kind of positive work that they’re doing to help the world,” she said.
Erica Sikes, a senior majoring in political science from Utah, said she decided to consider Foreign Service as a career option for herself after listening to Ray. She said, “I love learning about different cultures and languages.” But she said in agreement with Ray, “It is such a hard field to get into.”
The only requirements to be a FSO was to have a high school degree and pass a test, said Ray. He said the test is hard but is also free so candidates can keep trying each year. “Even if one does pass the test, Foreign Service is a very competitive field,” he said. He explained how his wife had to take it three times before she was interviewed and hired.
Jenny Young a freshman from Ohio, majoring in political science, said she came to the forum because she was interested in joining the Foreign Service herself. After hearing Ray talk, she said, “[I understand] more clearly what area I would specifically like to work for, which would be the management cone.”
Ray said he is currently stationed at the United States Embassy in New Delhi, India where he said his focus is on the industrialization and development of India.
Writer: Mikaela Gray