U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Harry Harris, fourth from right, and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, center in gray jacket, meet with WEST participants. Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy Seoul
By Lynette Evans-Tiernan International internships are on the rise. Foreign governments are interested in equipping their youth with enhanced English language proficiency, on-the-job training and an understanding of the U.S. marketplace. The Department’s Work, English Study, Travel Program (WEST) is a people-to-people exchange that meets these objectives, preparing future leaders...
The Managing Dual Careers forum was held in Beijing, Jan. 24. Event organizers included (from left) Assistant CLO Sharon Fierro, Housing Manager Katya Ilieva-Stone, Consular Associate Eugenio Otero-Melendez, Consular Officer Lisa Hecht-Cronstedt, HR Officer Lycia Coble Sibilla and HR Officer Monica Simmons. Photo by Keome Rowe
By Katya Ilieva-Stone Managing dual careers in the Foreign Service—whether as a tandem couple or as a couple where only one party is a U.S. direct-hire employee—can be challenging. In China, with the lack of a bilateral work agreement and restricted internet, the challenges are even greater. To address concerns...
Suzette Kent, federal chief information officer, serves as keynote speaker at a Women’s History Month event sponsored by employee affinity group Executive Women at State in the Loy Henderson auditorium, March 19. Kent shared her unique experiences as a female leader in industry and government. Photo by Amanda J. Richard
By Nayab Khan Women play an integral role in the Department’s workforce, and it is important to recognize their varied contributions. On March 19, Executive Women at State (EW@S) celebrated Women’s History Month by welcoming Suzette Kent, federal chief information officer for the Office of Management and Budget. EW@S President...
Human Resources Officer Andre Jennings, center in blue jacket, and Human Resources Specialist Rhitu Shrestha, right of Jennings, host a training session on behalf of Embassy Kathmandu’s Diversity and Outreach Program with students at American Corner Surkhet. Photo by Hirdesh Kumar K.C.
By Andre Jennings Establishing a diversified workforce is a necessary goal for any organization that recognizes and values the advantages of expanding its organizational culture. The U.S. Embassy in Nepal has embraced the Department’s strategic vision of a workforce that reflects the public it represents through the adoption of an...
Ambassador John Desrocher, center with pink tie, and his spouse, Karen Rose, to his right, pose for a photo with some of the members of the Algerian Higher School of Music and the Morehouse College Glee Club, after their final concert at the National Theatre of Algiers, Jan. 3, 2019. Photo by Farid Azira
By Suemayah Abu-Douleh Embassy Algiers recently collaborated with the Algerian Ministry of Culture and the Algerian Higher School of Music (INSM) to present a concert tour by the Morehouse College Glee Club (MCGC). Due to a public-private partnership between Embassy Algiers, Coca-Cola, MediAlgeriA and Pizza Hut, the MCGC and INSM...
After weekend-long protests and security restrictions in Port-au-Prince, Ambassador Sison, center in red jacket, and representatives from UN Women launch the international campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, on Nov. 26, 2018. Photo courtesy of Embassy Port-au-Prince
By Jessica Slattery A sea anchor stabilizes boats in heavy weather, preventing the vessel from turning broadside and being overwhelmed by waves. In the past year, Mission Haiti has relied on its own metaphorical sea anchor to navigate natural disasters, civil unrest, and authorized and ordered departures. The Mission’s women...
Attendees of a roundtable discussion on women in technology (from left) Rebecca Wanjiku, Stacey Ondimu, Demian Lamadrid, Jennifer Otieno, the Department’s acting CIO Karen Mummaw, Nekesa Were, Linda Lelei, Shiro Theuri, Freida Mati, Wanja Kimandi, Lysa Giuliano and Selam Emiru pose for a picture in front of the iHub entrepreneurship and innovation center on Dec. 7, 2018. Photo by Benson Mutahi
By Selam Emiru Last December, the Department’s acting CIO Karen Mummaw along with members of Embassy Nairobi’s Information Resource Management (IRM) team visited iHub, an entrepreneurship and innovation center. The team participated in a roundtable discussion on the challenges women face in the Information Technology (IT) field.  A first of its...
OMS workshop participants gather at the home of Consul General Sean Stein. Photo by Alison Sierra
By Zach Alger Last October, 17 Office Management Specialists (OMSs) from posts across broader China convened at U.S. Consulate General Shanghai for the third annual Greater China Office Management Specialist Workshop. Participants included OMSs from Embassy Beijing and consulates across mainland China, as well as colleagues from Consulate General Hong...
Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce gives remarks at the International Education Week kickoff event, Nov. 12. State Department photo
By Nathan Arnold International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote the benefits of worldwide international education and exchange programs. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) kicked off IEW 2018 on Nov. 13 with...
Ambassador Mosbacher addresses the Women in Tech Summit, Nov. 27. Photo by Karolina Gontarek
Every year during Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in November, the Department of State celebrates entrepreneurship and innovative solutions to local challenges around the world. Since 2007, GEW has served as a platform for connection—engaging a range of entrepreneurship players, including innovative startups, incubators, mentors and investors. Last November, U.S. embassies...