Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seoulplane]

I was at the Embassy last week and noticed that the Government of Canada has launched its foreign service and post-secondary recruitment campaign, with a deadline of October 10.

Looks like the Embassy will be doing an information session this Saturday morning at 10:30 at the Embassy. Anyone thinking of going?

More information here: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/korea/recruitment_2008-en.asp

[Faunaki]

Thanks for that info. I tried getting into the public service in Canada with no luck. I'd love to get out of teaching. The thing is I have to go to a wedding on the 27.

Are you going? Could you share what will be said? It'd be really appreciated.

[livinginkunsan]

actually looks interesting.. maybe in the future

[teachteach]

Don't bother. I have a degree in international relations, speak 4 languages, lived in 5 countries, aced the test, and yet ended up as number 500 among the 8,000 competitors.

[Yaya]

I know nothing about the Canadian foreign service, but I cannot begin to tell you how many people with advanced degrees in international studies I've met who are either teaching or doing something else. I ruled out this major a long time ago after seeing so many grads either out of work, underemployed or doing something completely different.

The foreign service is a stable job, but it seems many who can leave for the private sector.

[teachteach]

That's why I did a 180, got my pilot license, and fly for Air Canada (until I get laid off)

[seoulplane]

Sure... there is some good information online, but I'll let you know if there is anything particularly important.

[NQP]

Foreign relations/international studies is, IMHO, not a good major if you want to work for the foreign service. It sounds crazy, but it is DFAIT, with the emphasis on international trade. A background in international trade law, business, economics, accounting, development studies, how to install water pumps in A-Stan, etc, would probably put you in a better position to be chosen to serve.

So many people study the broad topic of a "field" they want to work in, when it is specific skill and knowledge sets that tend to servr people well in their jobs. Every kid who wants to be a RCMP takes a police fundamentals course at a community college, when skill in and knowledge of accounting, forensic science, hell even welding would make them a better investagator. There is no such thing as useless info. A job will train you for what they want you to do. Often they dont want a person who figures they already know it all. eg> foreign relations degree/well traveled/many languages. You become a risk. They want people who will listen and do exactally what they are told. That is the #1 requirement to work for the govt, conformity not individualism. DFAIT is, above all else, a govt department and its employees are bureaucrats the same as if they worked for Agriculture, no matter what they tell you.