DylanSanta
6096thStreet
Petaluma,CA94952
(707)774-3341
[email protected]
OBJECTIVE
ApplyingfortobeaUnitedStatesForeignServiceOfficer
SUMMARY
Sincehighschool,Ihavebeenpreparingtobeaforeignserviceofficer.Itook
extralanguageclassesatSantaRosaJuniorCollegetoincreasemylinguistic
experience.Inaddition,Iattendedandobtainedmybachelorsandmasters
degreesfromtheGeorgetownSchoolofForeignService.Throughoutmytime
there,IworkedasaninternintheInternshipTemporaryProgramandthe
INternshipExperienceProgramwhicharespecificallygearedtotrainonefor
theForeignService.Also,Ihaveanaptitudeforlanguages,beingproficientin
twoandfluentinone,excludingEnglish.Ihaveampleexperienceabroad,
havingstudiedabroadinQatar,France,China,andSouthAfrica,whereI
learnedinvaluableculturalinsightandsocialinteractionsbetween
governmentsandtheirpeople.
SKILLS
FluentinFrench
ProfessionalWorkingProficiencyinGerman
LimitedWorkingProficiencyinMandarin
CPRCertified
PCM(ProfessionalCrisisManagement)Certified
EXPERIENCE
DepartmentofState,WashingtonD.C.-InternshipExperience
Program(IEP)
January2026-PRESENT
DepartmentofState,WashingtonD.C.-InternshipTemporary
Program(ITEP)
April2021-September2023
TheStudentConservationAssociation,Yosemite-CulturalResources
DiversityInternship
May2019-September2019
EDUCATION
SchoolofForeignService,Georgetown,WashingtonD.C.-Mastersof
ScienceinForeignService
September2024-May2028
SchoolofForeignService,Georgetown,WashingtonD.C-Juris
Doctor
September2024-May2028
SchoolofForeignService,Georgetown,WashingtonD.C-Bachelors
ofScienceinForeignService
September2019-May2024
REFERENCES
EliseKleinwaks-ForeignServiceOfficer
HowardUniversity(BuncheInternationalAffairsCenter)
Washington,DC20059
[email protected]
DanielByman-ProfessorandSeniorAssociateDeanofUndergraduate
Affairs
GeorgetownUniversity
Washington,DC20059
[email protected]
MoleekBusby-RecruitingRepresentative
TheStudentConservationAssociation
(510)712-00493
[email protected]
Reflection
Guided by my desire to attend a college at which I could learn invaluable skills about
international relations, to attend a college at which I may study abroad multiple times, to work
in a profession where I could live abroad, earn more than a mere living wage, learn new
languages, I found the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) and the
career into which it feeds--the United States Foreign Service.
In terms of Georgetown, I found that it was unique in the degrees it offers--those in
foreign service--and the majors with which one could attain a bachelors degree in foreign
service. Unfortunately, I thought that my profession and the training for it would lead me
away from the sciences that I greatly want to continue studying in college. Fortunately, I
found one of the majors within the SFS to be related to science--Science, Technology, and
International Affairs (STIA) in which one chooses one of four focus areas: Environment and
Energy; Business, Growth, and Development; Biotechnology and Global Health; and Science,
Technology, and Security. While these focuses are not exactly in my desired scientific fields
of study--particle physics, nuclear chemistry, immunology--they would most likely, at least
partially, satisfy my want for college level science in a broad sense.
In terms of the United States Foreign Service, I found that, aside from standard career
benefits such as health care and a retirement program, officers are provided with housing free
of charge. They will have an officer, typically someone who is newly employed (either before
or after their first tour of duty), study for up to a year at the Foreign Service Institute, the
whole time being payed the same salary as if it were work. For more difficult languages, a
Foreign Service Officer may even spend time in the country in which it is spoken. These
languages are usually ones which lack Latin and Greek roots and script such as Chinese and
Arabic.
From the Foreign Service, I contacted a woman named Dorothy Ngutter, the local
diplomat in residence whose job it is to interact with the community about the Foreign
Service, as well as other forms of civil service. From her, I learned firstly that all deployment
openings include a full description of the appointment as well as its potential dangers.
Secondly, I learned, through a firsthand account that there are many internship options
available, including those overseas in United States embassies and consulates. Additionally,
Ms. Ngutter warned me of the abrupt loss of familial time. Yes, she was able to plan around
major familial events such as weddings; however, she had to miss every natural, impromptu
gathering of her family.
After asking her about the defining moment of her career, she responded that on her
first assignment, in Mali, she was working in a rather small embassy where she worked two
career paths, political and consular, and had a precarious amount of responsibility working
there; regardless, there was rarely a day the same as the last. She said the Foreign Service was
certainly not a dull, tedious job. She added that there will be challenges, setbacks, and days
that will feel so stressful that you may collapse; however, the idea that you are actively
helping communities in original ways keeps the weight of responsibilities from coming
crashing down.
In conclusion, I found the School of Foreign Service and the Foreign Service to be like
sliding a key into its lock--a perfect fit for a college, a perfect fit for a career.