DLI Camp Continues

<div>This is week four of DLI training. Though this week is beginning to drag some, I am happy to report this week I met my supervisor and finally "got upstairs." This is what the existing staff calls joining the team you are going to report to in Washington. For me, that is the Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade office (EGAT).</div><div><br /></div><div>My supervisor is a seasoned FS and GS veteran of USAID, and coincidentally I have done several projects already for him through EADS (my old job). I was finally in a better comfort zone upstairs because I got to see some familiar faces. This is including some former DevTechers (current EGATers) that I have gotten to know and several economists I have done work with in the past. I have a feeling the anxeity associated with being in EGAT will subside when I finally get my desk and rotations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its also nice to know that I have already completed some of my required training, thanks to DevTech.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will take this oppurtunity to answer Dan's question of "What DOES a USAID economist do in the field? Or, is that something you won't know specifically until you get your assignment?" First, all I am about to write is primarily speculation, but it is based on the conversations I have had this month. Economists can do several different tasks at a mission. Most likely I will be serving as a Program Economist. This will entail providing economic support to the mission and its projects. This could including there are a econmicly sound aspects of new programs, analyzing results of exsisting projects and doing cost benefit analysis of projects in general. In the future, (and maybe in my first post if the mission is small) I would act as a project head of economic growth programs, which could be anything. I hope this kinda answered your question.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today the class took yet another field trip, but this time its to the capital!</div><div><br /></div><div>Photos are below, but highlights include a visit to the Senate Galley and getting to see John Kerry's office!</div><div><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_7VxV2XPWlX8/THcsZB2dd1I/AAAAAAAAJ7U/eZ5_JnI1M_Y/s800/IMG_5590-1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_7VxV2XPWlX8/THcsZB2dd1I/AAAAAAAAJ7U/eZ5_JnI1M_Y/s800/IMG_5590-1.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_7VxV2XPWlX8/THcqQvEbNnI/AAAAAAAAJ7Q/XNSpWwurMVg/s720/IMG_5549.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_7VxV2XPWlX8/THcqQvEbNnI/AAAAAAAAJ7Q/XNSpWwurMVg/s720/IMG_5549.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 300px;" /></a>

DLI Camp Continues

This is week four of DLI training. Though this week is beginning to drag some, I am happy to report this week I met my supervisor and final...

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FSI Field Trip

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><div>Today, DLI day camp took a group field trip to the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington. Spouses were invited, so I took the day off work to act as group bus driver err attend the presentations. At FSI, we heard from the State Department's medical officer, an overseas counselor, someone from the overseas transition office, an advisor on embassy protocol, and a representative from the family liason office. Obviously, some of these presentations were less helpful than others. For example, we already went through our medical clearances and one woman forgot to bring some of her handouts, although she was nice enough to guarantee that she would remember them for the next class. That being said, some of the presentations were incredibly helpful. We learned about programs at the Family Liasion Office, including jobs programs for eligible family members, i. e. me. Although the jobs within the mission were mostly clerical, they are still government jobs that count towards your vacation accrual, thrift savings plan contribution, and allow you to remain in the noncompetitive service for jobs upon your return to Washington at the end of the tour. That means that you don't have to start from scratch on USAJobs.gov, and it should be easier to at least get an interview.</div><div><br /></div><div>By far the most helpful part of the day was learning about the overseas transition office. That office collects valuable resources for those bidding on posts or accepting their fates at assigned posts. Some of these included surveys on life in the mission and country, advice on looking for jobs, and descriptions of housing. After the presentations, we went down to the office to watch some videos that they encourage foreign service officers to make in order to show future foreign service officers what life is like in their countries. Since we have no clue where we're going, we chose a few to watch at random - Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; Dakar, Senegal (since Ben and Julia loved it so much); and Santiago, Chile. Granted, these were mostly propaganda videos, but I was instantly struck by how nice the housing situations could be. All three missions provided houses much bigger than ours with huge yards and/or outdoor patios. Also, in Brazzaville, the embassy has two boats that you can take out, and the employees were water skiing on the Congo River and taking day trips to Kanchasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The USAID mission in Senegal is a bit of a way from Dakar, they said about 45 minutes, but had the added benefit of being on a beautiful beach - ok, not jersey shore beautiful, but still pretty nice. Santiago was a major urban city that the video described as similar to Northern California. Again, it had very nice accomodations that were close to shopping, dining, and tourist attractions.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, while the day was very informative, it felt a bit premature. It was a lot of information to absorb, but I feel like we'll be asking the same questions again once we're assigned to a mission. At the very least, we at least now have a better idea about where to go for the answers to those questions and the resources that are available to us.</div></span>

FSI Field Trip

Today, DLI day camp took a group field trip to the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington. Spouses were invited, so I took the day off work ...

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First Week Recap

<div style="text-align: left;">For those of you who don’t know, last week was my first week at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">USAID</span>. Day One was long and tedious and included my official swearing in as a Foreign Service Officer by the Chief Operating Officer of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">USAID</span>. My class of Development Leadership Initiative (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DLI</span>) is class 13. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">DLI</span> program was a way for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">USAID</span> to quickly restaff the Foreign Service with new blood. Our class has 36 members from various backstops (job titles). There are several Agriculture Officers, Crisis & Stabilization Officers, Program Officers, and Health Officers. Additionally, there are 3 other Economists in the group. The picture below is of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">DLI</span> 13 class following our swearing in.</div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503212257740512882" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7VxV2XPWlX8/TF9WZCIy3nI/AAAAAAAAJoA/N3huBKEAmVA/s320/IMG_0317.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /><div><br />For the past week, we were briefed on so many different topics my head may explode. Early in the week it was primarily health insurance, retirement etc. This was a lot of drama, because unfortunately, there are a lot of things into take into consideration, especially since there will be a long period of time where Andrew will be unemployed. </div><div><br />Later in the week, we actually got briefed on a lot of important aspects of our future jobs, the makeup of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">USAID</span>, the next training rotations (including language training) and talks from Bureau heads. One important thing that was laid out this week was that NONE of us will be posted in Critical Priority Countries. So no Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan or Sudan, which is good news, because Andrew will definitely be joining me on our first posting. The briefings from the bureau heads were truly enlightening; the head of Middle East spoke for 5 minutes on the importance of Economists in the field. That was nice to hear after a week of attempting to explain to my training mates the usefulness of economists.</div><div><br />Next week I turn in the form that outlines my “preferences” for the next posting. Four more weeks until we find out! I will try to write more. Additionally, please feel free to post any more questions, since I am significantly more informed now.</div><div><br /></div><div>To answer Dan's question regarding language training, I am estimating I will start one month following the end of the DLI training. The last day of DLI training is the Friday before labor day. The actual language will of course depend on the country of post and the start time at the Foreign Service Institute (where I will take courses) will depend on their schedule.</div><div><br />After one week of training, I truly miss our week in Key West!</div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7VxV2XPWlX8/TF9W7fN-7uI/AAAAAAAAJoI/gO1cAXnfGPw/s1600/IMG_5418.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503212849662455522" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7VxV2XPWlX8/TF9W7fN-7uI/AAAAAAAAJoI/gO1cAXnfGPw/s320/IMG_5418.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>

First Week Recap

For those of you who don’t know, last week was my first week at USAID . Day One was long and tedious and included my official swearing in a...

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