
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu , 249-4669
February 10, 2006
Foreign Service Exam Scheduled April 8
Imagine a job that takes you to Lisbon , Taiwan and Burkina Faso . Imagine, too, that each day you get to make a difference in someone's life. Foreign service opens up that world of possibilities, and more.
Martin Brennan, the University of New Mexico 's ambassador in residence, has worked for the U.S. Department of State across the globe. He took the position at UNM he's located in Career Services to bring awareness of job possibilities to university students.
People in the Southwest are well suited for foreign service they already live and work in a multicultural society. We want foreign service to look like the United States we want more Hispanic and Native Americans to apply, Brennan said.
Brennan said that interested students and others can apply to take the foreign service exam, scheduled on April 8. Individuals need be between 20 and 59, a U.S. citizen and available for worldwide assignment.
Foreign language skills are not required, he said. The test focuses on U.S. history, the Constitution, politics, cultural trends, world politics, geography and western civilization. It also assesses a person's English language skills and ability to write clearly, he said.
Foreign service has multiple career tracks, he said, including management, politics, economic development, consular and public diplomacy. I've worked as a political officer, but also worked in economic development, public affairs and commerce. No day or post is the same, he said.
The State Department provides language instruction for the individual and spouse as well as providing housing, utilities and education for one's children when overseas.
You also receive a ticket to travel to the U.S. each year by congressional mandate as well as the opportunity to travel to other parts of the globe, he said.
The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.
www.unm.edu