 Good morning, everyone. We appreciate your patience, but we are happy to have you. Good morning. My name is Candice Helton, a proud alum of Winston-Salem State University, and I have the pleasure of moderating today's first session, Alumni at State. Now, before we kick off, I know there were some challenges with the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary's remarks, but I do encourage you to visit our homepage after this session and view their remarks. Now, this staple kickoff session is always a treat for students because the goal is to start this program getting open and honest dialogue from HBCU alums at the State Department. We have assembled a panel of proud HBCU alumni who will share their unique career paths, professional and some personal experiences, and what inspired them along the way to the Department of State. I can say as for me, if it were not for the encouraging and instrumental workings of a Morehouse graduate, I would not be here today. That man was the late Ambassador George Haley, whom I am forever grateful for. That is the power and impact HBCU's at State has in our workforce. So as your moderator, I have two simple asks before I introduce our panelists. One, throughout the session, I encourage you to ask questions in the chat roll at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. Although we are virtual, we want to hear from you. And secondly, please shout out your HBCU and show your HBCU pride for my colleagues watching today. Now, I will introduce your panelists. First, we have Hanson University graduates, Nicole Tillman, who is the Financial Management Officer for the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. We have Morehouse College graduate, Daniel Delk, who is the Principal Deputy, excuse me, Principal Officer for the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai. We have Central State University alumna, Lisa Ely, who is the Senior Career Counselor for the Bureau of Global Talent Management. And last but not least, we have Bethune Cookman University graduate, Jared Yancey, who is the Deputy Director for the Orientation Division at the Foreign Service Institute. To read their full bios, please click on the bios button located above this video screen where you can read them in full breath. Now, let's get this conversation started. Alums, can you each briefly tell us about yourself as an HBCU graduate and your current role at the State Department? Let's start with Nicole, then Daniel, Lisa, and conclude with Jared. Nicole. Thank you, Candice. As you mentioned, I'm an alum of Hampton University. I graduated with a degree in finance. I am working in the Bureau of Overseas Building. And as a Financial Management Officer, we are the eyes and ears of the embassy. So overseas, we are the CFOs, and we are ensuring that resources are delivered to the most appropriate priorities to advance the foreign policy of the United States government. Thank you, Nicole. Daniel. Hi, everybody, and thank you so much for the invitation. My name is Daniel Delk. I'm a proud Morehouse College graduate. Thank you for the reference to Ambassador Haley. I was an economics and Spanish double major at Morehouse, and I'm currently the Deputy Principal Officer for the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai. So that means I'm the Chief Operating Officer here. I will say that I'm also a political officer by Cone, and we deal a lot on government-to-government relations and also dealing with civil society and other groups of influence in the countries in which we serve. Thank you, Daniel. Lisa. Hi, I'm Lisa Ealy, and I'm a proud graduate of Central State University, and I serve currently as one of the senior career counselors inside of the Career Development Counseling Center, which is part of Global Talent Management. And I actually majored in accounting and management, and part of what I get to do is help to shape people's careers and futures so that they can advance within the State Department. Thank you, and Jared. Good morning all. Happy to be here. As Candace mentioned, Jared Yancey, a proud graduate with the Great Bethune Cougman. I'm a PD-Cone officer here at the Department, again graduating from Bethune Cougman with a degree in International Studies. I'm currently the Deputy Director of the Orientation Division at the Foreign Service Institute, which is our training facility for the Department of State, where I oversee orientation training programs for Department of State employees, as well as members of the interagency. Thank you, Jared. I will try to encourage everyone to refresh their monitors so they can have a chat and converse with us, excuse me. So thank you for sharing your various careers. Now, as you heard, our panelists each hold unique positions at our agency. So now I would like to transition to share the moment you decided to pursue a career at the State Department, and how did your time at your HBCU shape you as a professional? So let's start with Lisa and then go to Daniel. So the spark for me really started when I was at Central State, I had the honor and privilege of being part of our band. And we got to travel all over the world, but the first time I ever traveled internationally, the passport literally was one issue for that purpose. And so the whole process of them coming on campus, literally photographing over 300 people and all the processing of the paperwork, I was impressed. And at that time, I had no idea clue at all that the passport agency was part of the State Department. So that really sparked my initial interest in seeking employment at some point in my career with the State Department. Thank you, Lisa. Daniel, would you like to share? Sure. So it was in my sophomore year and I always knew I was interested in something international, some way that I might be able to help people and also learn languages and travel abroad had no idea what the State Department was really. And then I ran into an alum who was working there, a gentleman named Julius Coles, who also had been a retired Foreign Service officer with the US Agency for International Development. And he told me about a fellowship program with the State Department and handed me a pamphlet with an eagle in a circle. Still didn't know what he was talking about, but I continued to engage with him. And he kind of took me by the lapel one day and encouraged me in no uncertain terms to apply. And then I took more interest and it's been 22 years later, a wonderful ride for me and my family and it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't had that mentorship and other diplomats and residents who served on campus during my time. Thank you, Daniel. And I would like to make the shameless plug for the diplomats and residents please hang on for our students and faculty watching you will hear from our diplomats and residents tomorrow on the agenda so you can truly learn about their impact. So thank you both for sharing that. So now after hearing what inspired some of you to pursue these careers. I want to kind of pivot to our Foreign Service colleagues who are joining us today. Can you now share what inspired you to want to become a diplomat. So I'd like to start off with Jared, then Nicole and then go back to Daniel. Thank you Candace. Simply just, you know, being in an environment where we're all interconnected. Right. And in my generation, things like the internet and phones and all of these things that have come about and we're just incredibly reliant on one another across the blue. I come, you know, from, you know, dare I say humble beginnings and, you know, the idea of being able to get on the plane and travel to these far away places was incredibly fascinating to me. I enjoy learning about different cultures and that engagement and representing my country abroad. So it was a natural fit. Awesome, awesome. Okay, Nicole, can you share with us. Sure, similar responses Jared I actually have always had a global perspective I've always wanted to experience of the cultures and live abroad. And I decided that I wanted to take my financial management skills and put those to use at a more global impact. And the department had that opportunity for me and so it allows us to travel to different embassies and basically shape the policy and the resources so that was my inspiration was to not stay in my domestic field but to use all my talents overseas. Awesome, awesome. And now Daniel, can you share. I think for me part of it had to do with I'm from Atlanta. And so I experienced the 96 Olympics where the world kind of came to my hometown. And I just kind of got the bug then wanted to find out a way to engage in that and long term. So I was really lucky to find out what the Foreign Service was, and it really has been great it's been great opportunities for me and my family. But I think to answer the unanswered question why do I stay. I think it's because you really can do a lot of good. You know whether or not you're helping a child get a visa to have a surgery in the United States, you're able to assist people in their in their time of help negotiate an agreement that might help Americans build and develop their businesses, or in one case help develop a scholarship program for a species. It really does provide a variety of experiences that are really fulfilling. Thank you so much for sharing that I was just taking some notes that I wanted to just piggyback off of what some of our speakers said. I just want to encourage everybody that is listening today, especially our students that you can do a lot with these careers at the State Department is it goes beyond just working at a desk here in Washington and across the globe. I just want to keep that in mind because some of the things that you said I just want to share reiterate that you can do so much good around the world when in these fields on beyond your HPC you campuses. I am going to make a shameless plug for our next session because Daniel mentioned business development. So I want everybody to make sure you hang on for our following session after this one. So thank you so much for sharing that. So our next question that I want to propose to our panelists are, it's very inspiring to hear that diplomats live such exciting lives around the world serving the American people. So some of our viewers may be applying for graduation this spring shout out to you all, and we've all been in their shoes and the real world can be very intimidating. So what was your greatest fear of graduating from college and starting your career be it at the State Department or in general. So I wanted to have Daniel to share some of his background and then go on to Lisa and if any other one of our panelists want to share. So Daniel. That's that's a great question. It's hard for me to answer. I think Morehouse really brainwashing me to the point that I believe I could do anything so I didn't have a lot of fears going in. But I did have a lot of hope, hope about the different things I might try out so I think what I really, if there's anything that kind of gave me calls for concern it was just picking a path or picking amongst the many wonderful opportunities that are out there. And so I think what really worked for me is just kind of taking a step and taking taking a leap. I started out in Latin America because I was a Spanish major and really had a great time. But at some point I just wanted to see if I could learn a new language. And I figured Chinese was a little different from Spanish. And now I've been doing this for about the last 12 years or so. And so it's really been wonderful but I think it is the teachers to support and the support network from being an HBCU grad that really has held me instead whether it's mentors and there's been many who are HBCU grads like Ambassador Teddy Taylor, Ambassador Ruth Davis, or lots of friends like Jared and Nicole and we've served with each other in different in different places around the world. So it's really I think it can be scary out there but you're you're never really a lot. Thank you for that and we are never alone as HBCU graduates. We are a community we stick with it and we love on each other for it. Lisa, would you like to share and then Nicole or Jared please share if you would like to. Yes, so I want to piggyback on what Daniel said because it's so true. I really felt prepared for the next step after graduation. I feel like my time at Central State really prepared me to have the confidence to overcome any challenges. I really, really was prepared to take the next step to embark on that journey that says like what is next am I going to get the job am I going to love it. What happens after the first job and then the next job and how do you plan a career and a future and make a big difference. So one of the things I would say that really, really helped in the HBCU and I love that Daniel has made the connection with Jared and with Nicole is networking. And so the power of that is amazing. And so my first job out of college literally the gentleman that I interviewed with he graduated from another HBCU outside of our nation's capital and at Morgan State. And when he saw that I had graduated or was graduating from more from Central State. That was the our whole conversation, and he was in the band, and from there there was just immediate connections. And so I have had the privilege of being able to move across the country, but staying connected through the HBCU and through my sorority as well has really helped me to network and make those connections. In fact, I will tell you, it led to the connection of why I'm even here at the State Department. So it has literally catapulted me forward in so many different ways. Thank you so much for sharing that Lisa and also my soror. Jared or Nicole did either of you want to share. I'll go to you Jared. If I can just say did I could not agree more with the points that Daniel Lisa made the networking of not just graduates of Bethune Cookman but as but as Lisa mentioned others from different HBCUs, the network that we have here in this virtual space today. So could not agree more. I'll leave it at that. Thank you. And Nicole, did you want to add anything to that. I would just say double ditto if that's a thing, because everything is true I definitely felt prepared Hampton prepared me well. I still network with a lot of my college buddies I was also in the band I still network band members and your HBCU really set you on the right path. So there's nothing to fear you are prepared and you will do well. Absolutely. I could not agree more. You all are hitting such such heartstrings right now, especially for our viewers who are probably involved in a lot of extracurricular activities and wonder how can they use that as a transferable skill. I'm going to make another shameless plug on that you can use it as a transferable skill and we encourage you to join us for after hours tomorrow. I'm going to start from the yard to the embassy to meet more diplomats who have the similar stories of our panelists today. And also the power of networking is also very key. I work my lapel pen often before the pandemic at the office and an ambassador actually noticed my lapel pen and introduced me to now one of my mentors. I'm going to start with the president Minyan Houston because she is also a WSSU Ram so we are here and we are at the department so I definitely want to encourage that. So thank you for sharing those stories. So, for this next question before we open it up to our audience members our last question. How do you balance work life with these challenging jobs and your personal lives. So as a diplomat you may be posted overseas and not able to see loved ones for months at a time it's not a year. And as we navigate life during this pandemic there can be several challenges in our day to day operations. I wanted to know how do you balance that how do you manage that especially as black and African Americans at the State Department. I want to start off with with Jared and then take it to any of our other panelists so Jared. Another great question putting us on the spot here making us earn money today. So I think I start by saying that the experience of being overseas and away from those loved ones while challenging at times has also created some incredible opportunities to give family and friends that experience of being overseas where they may not have otherwise traveled but knowing that you're there on the receiving end. And so we've planned some trips or family and friends to be about to come out and see us and have that international experience. So, I really enjoy being able to contribute to creating that opportunity for family and friends. The other thing that I'll say is, while the career may be challenging. We have the opportunity in the Foreign Service to move between assignments every few years. And there is some difference or in those assignments. So Daniel and I, for example, served in our operations center, which is 24 7365 working over nights working weekends. And so it meant that I explored opportunities to do a job that was more of a nine to five. When I left from there. And so you do have flexibility and what assignments you select. So I would say the combination and variety of assignments and also the ability to create new opportunities for family and friends is a nice balance that I try to reach. Thank you, Jared. So I'm going to pivot over to Nicole, who was also a Foreign Service officer. Nicole, would you like to share about any challenges and how do you balance work and personal life. Sure. So as a Foreign Service officer and specialist, you know, we are driven. I was very competitive process. And so it's easy to get problems with the trap of chasing your career and chasing your next opportunity. And so you really have to do put put your family in perspective put family first, and also make sure you put yourself first, you know, self care is really important. And I had to remind myself of that early on in my career because I was starting to get a little wary of the long hours but you also have to make sure that your family is is at the forefront as well. And so as Jared said, the great thing about the Foreign Service is that you can choose your opportunities and your your assignments. And so I'm actually in Maryland now on a domestic time and I've been here for the past four years because I needed to be back in the US. And that's one of the great things I love about the department is that you can go out overseas and serve anywhere you would like. But if you need to come back home and take a break and refresh and plug into a more normal, you know, nine to five and the normal lifestyle, you can do that as well. So. Thank you so much, Nicole. Did Lisa or Daniel want to share before I take one of our first questions from the audience. Okay, Lisa. Yes. So I'll share a little bit just in general about one of the challenges that we've all faced over these last two and a half almost three years of being in a global pandemic is that what we realize is the things that we thought that we really need it. Maybe we didn't, and maybe spending more time closer to home and with significant others and utilizing platforms like zoom to connect more with family has made a big difference. So one of the things is make sure that you are prioritizing the people and the things that are significant to you and using the resources that we have, whether it is now, you know, as we're opening up being able to travel more, but just recognizing that there are so many technology opportunities for us to connect and using that and learning more and just taking the time to be present, right, has been amazing. So thank you for the question. Thank you, Lisa. And Daniel, if you'd like to add anything before I take our first question. Yeah, I think, Lisa, you really think stress the importance of focusing on the stuff that matters. I think one of the things that I've tried to do as we've gone from different posts including back to Washington on a couple occasions is you have to build community. Sometimes you just run into community and it's there certainly when you go home, you have your family you have your friends. But when you go into other places, you have to kind of look for those things that make that place home. So for us, you know, that's church and we try to find that wherever we are. We also try to find people who, you know, are like minded that don't necessarily look like you, especially if you're in a place like Pakistan or China and you're from, you know, Southwest Atlanta. But it really does give you an opportunity to see that humanity wherever you go, even though it might take different forms. Thank you so much for that question. Everyone I think it in this time it is very difficult for us to find connectivity with one another. But we have to prioritize ourselves we have to prioritize our mental health. So thank you so much for sharing. So our first question we have from the audience is can our panelists representatives share opportunities where they have returned to their HPC use to encourage either the foreign or civil service careers at the State Department. So I am going to start off back with Lisa because of her day job I think she would be perfect to kick us off for this question. And then I will kick it over to Jared and then so forth. Yes, Lisa. So what an amazing question is that that is the biggest thing that I have enjoyed about being a graduate of an HPC you is giving back. And so, being part of the business college every year during homecoming and I know every HPC you out there. And if you're thinking about going to an HPC you homecoming is an epic event. And so at homecoming typically that entire week, many of the different colleges and universities host former alumni to come and to engage in classrooms and talk about careers and next steps. And so one of the things that I've been able to do since I've been at the State Department is despite the fact that we're in the middle of a global pandemic, we still had homecoming. It was just virtual. And so got to touch many, many more than I would in attending live. And so was able just to talk about some of the career experience that I have, and also encouraging people, this is what I will say about a career at the State Department is be curious. So there are individuals that are going to be sharing their stories over these next few days here in this forum, as well as taking a look at the Department of States website. And there's a ton of information there as well. So be curious, reach out, ask questions, talk to and engage as well. And I would say that those are some of the things that I've been able to do, and that I encourage individuals who are interested in serving in the Department of State and more and particularly in the Foreign Service. Thank you so much for that, Lisa. So I'm going to go to Jared. Thank you, Candace. I've been fortunate to be able to take advantage of the department's hometown diplomats program, which sends department employees back to their hometown. In my case, it was the city of my alma mater, and be able to engage with students there as a recruitment department, but not just at the university level I visited middle schools and elementary schools and rotary clubs, just to talk about a career diplomacy, and with the State Department. So really enjoyed doing that, but also just offering myself up to talk with current students and even alumni who are considering a career change, or something new. So that has given me great joy to be able to engage in that manner, and as well as promoting opportunities. The Thursday luncheon group, which is one of the oldest affinity groups at the Department of State, has a book scholarship, and I consider Terrence Titleman book scholarship, and I will always promote those opportunities, and was happy to see a student at Bethune Cookman receive that scholarship a couple years ago. So, you know, pushing those opportunities and making myself available as a resource has definitely been a way to give back. Gosh, thank you so much for that. Daniel or Nicole, would you like to share, Daniel? I mean, Morehouse got me here, so I have to get back. So, and it happens to be in my hometown, so whenever I go home, I'd always been involved, but there's a great network of us out here in the Foreign Service. And so we've tried to help support and bring in new guys, and I'm happy to say that we have a lot of alum who are now in the Foreign Service and not just Morehouse grads, but everybody from the AUC, Spelman, Clark Atlanta. We are real pretty well represented. And so there's so many ways that you can do it now. Lisa's absolutely right. I mean, we have virtual formats. I was a recipient of the Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, and I want to make sure I can get as many people as I know interested in also coming this way. There's the hometown diplomats program. I even went to my high school. I'm happy to say that we have about five graduates of my high school, which is a Benjamin Elijah Mays High School in Atlanta, Georgia, a public school. And we have five diplomats here, African American diplomats around the world, from Cameroon to Taiwan. So I just want to remind everybody that you can make a difference in your story matters. I mean, it's so important that people who look maybe like the people in the mirror go and reach and try to find other folks. This is a career for everybody. And if you don't give yourself an opportunity, you really might be missing out on something special. Gosh, absolutely, absolutely. Nicole, did you want to share before I take our next question? Sure, I actually have spent a lot of time these past like especially over the last year and on social media, encouraging people to apply to the Foreign Service whenever I see openings or announcements for Pickering or any other programs that we have. I quickly post those links. And so I've been doing that in HBCU groups, my Hampton alumni groups, as well as women's networking groups. And so I try to push and promote the Foreign Service experience to everyone that I encounter, whether it's on social media or even in person. Wow. So I appreciate you all for being so candid and honest, and also making the plugs for some of the programs in my office. Shout out to the Hometown Diplomats Program. I'm encouraging all of my colleagues watching who are HBCU graduates to become a Hometown Diplomat and go back to your alma mater. So I want to go to our next question for our panelists. Do the panelists have any recommendations for those preparing for a career at the State Department? We've talked a little bit about networking, but I would love to hear if there are any particular experiences you've had maybe before you became a diplomat or before you decided to join the ranks of the State Department. I'm going to start off with Jared because you have a very interesting job right now working at our Foreign Service Institute. How could one prepare for such a career like you have right now? I think the skills that would make you successful in any profession, because it's important to point out that members of the Foreign Service are not just graduates with a degree in international studies or political science. We have former nurses, teachers, sciences, firefighters, and so from all different backgrounds. And so the things that would make you successful in other roles, public or private sector, communication skills, leadership skills, and so this is where your involvement in campus activities. Shout out to my brothers at Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. You know, being engaged in campus activities, NCW, whatever it may be, having those leadership skills, those communication skills, interpersonal is incredibly important. If you serve as treasurer, getting an opportunity to work on budgets and manage resources is important. And I'd also mention, you know, with Daniel being a double Spanish major, you know, language is important. And so if there's a particular part of the world that you're interested in, learning languages in that part of the world is helpful as well. Thank you, Jared. I'm going to jump to Nicole before I go to our next question. Nicole. Sure. So as a finance professional, I came to the department with over 10 years of experience in finance. And so if you are looking to have a career where you're a specialist, meaning you can do multiple things, you've already had that experience, what you want to bring to the department is leadership, communication. Flexibility is really important. You may be serving in multiple countries with limited resources. So flexibility is key. And also just having a global perspective, being open minded to different cultures and making sure that you are available and ready to serve. Thank you so much, Nicole. I have a question from the audience that is specifically for Daniel. As you settle in these countries with your family, are there opportunities for you and your family to get involved with the community activities and organizations. And because for those joining us there are other foreign service officers who are on this panel they might also want to answer but Daniel I will let you answer that one if you like. Thank you. Well, first I'm going to settle shout out to my wife who's sitting here next to me. But I think for our families, yes, it's critical. So for instance, my son is here. He's now in the Cub Scouts right which is a very American thing but you can do it overseas with a lot of kids who aren't from the same background as you. And my wife was a part of an organization of diplomatic spouses that engage in different cultural activities. There's sports clubs, there's yoga, there's different faith communities you can join. There really is something for everybody not every country or post that you go to has the exact same set of opportunities but generally speaking you can find something that fits you wherever you go. Thank you so much for that. Daniel Jared or Nicole, would you like to answer that. Sure, I'll take that my son is also in Scouts and he served. I've done Scouts overseas as well. And my daughter is a girl was a Girl Scout. And she actually earned her Girl Scout Gold Award while we were serving in Kuwait, and she helped the local orphanage. So there definitely are opportunities for your family to get involved. My husband was working in the embassy he also had local cultural activities that he was involved in so it is family friendly, pretty much anything that you want to do you can do. And if they don't have it at your country, you can create it. And so you can create it for your embassy and then you can also open it up to locals in the community whether they be from other embassies from other nations, or even the local citizens. So there really is opportunity for your family to flourish and have a wonderful time serving overseas. Thank you, Nicole. Jared. No. Again, exactly right. Daniel and Nicole have laid it out there. There are often opportunities where organizations are global. And so you will find them. Or you will find people with like interest. So to Nicole's point, if it's not there, you have an opportunity to create it and bring people together and that's how you build community and make new friends and create that network. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm going to go to our next question, but I'm going to preface it by one of the things I've heard Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield say is that we have to start encouraging and inspiring diplomacy at a very young age. So this person wants to know what advice would you give a teen in high school that loves languages and international law. So I'm going to repeat the question, what advice would you give to a teen in high school that loves languages and international law. So I'm going to start off with Daniel. And please share with our guests watching if you do speak a second language or third or fourth language, please share with those are so our guests can can learn more about you. Okay, thanks so much and that's a great question I speak Spanish and Mandarin Chinese Spanish I had from high school and college. And Mandarin I got from the State Department which taught me for two years a year in Washington, and a year overseas in Taiwan. So what could I what would I advice would I give to a teenager who's interested in foreign affairs well I was a teenager who was interested in foreign And so I would say a couple of things. And just about any city that you live in. There's different places that you can go to where you can get a flavor for something international for example, helping out with, we had a ESL program, English as a second language program, it was a community center. And there I got to meet people from Latin America from Eastern Europe. And so you learn more about their culture as you are helping them with their English language skills. I was involved in some anti violence campaigning in high school, which actually got me my first international trip to Sweden, which was kind of a war for some of the work that we were doing. Every state has a Council of International visitors, which is an organization that really works to bring different foreign delegations and help organize them when they're visiting local governments local states. They often need interns, they need people to help work with them. I'd also encourage you to look at other NGOs that are there, certainly college campuses that have international programs and volunteer and raise your hand volunteer to help out. Most major cities also have an Office of International Affairs. So there's I'm giving all of these local examples of how to do things internationally, because a lot of times we think we can't do it, because we can't afford to travel abroad, or we can't afford some kind of fancy course. So I want you to kind of take a moment to look around your, your own community and see if there's ways there that you can get what it is that you're looking for, while also helping to give back to to those who need it. Thank you so much, Daniel. Daniel, you made a great plug for one of our other sessions that is happening on today's agenda for study abroad opportunities today and tomorrow with our colleagues from another Bureau. So definitely hang on tight for those watching for those opportunities. So I'm going to now pivot to Nicole, if she'd like to share if she hasn't learned a language. And if not, I will pass it on to Jared, but Nicole. Very rudimentary Mandarin Chinese skills and very rudimentary Arabic skills. So, fortunately, in my role as a financial management officer, all of our staff are, they speak English as well. So we are not, I was not required to learn those languages, while I was overseas. However, I did pick up a few things along the way, so I can order. I can have a small conversation but there's one thing that I do a lot again love about the Foreign Service is their opportunities to do training while you're, while you're overseas. So I was able to take some training courses and some language lessons. Although when you leave you kind of forget it for me personally so this may be better for one of my other panelists to answer. Thank you, Nicole. Jared, did you want to share and also Lisa, please feel free to share as well. So this is where I'll put in my plug cad this for the Foreign Service Institute. We are one of the premier training facilities, not just for the Department of State, but across the US government. We do language training and tradecraft training for, again, across the USG. And so I actually learned Spanish after joining the Foreign Service for my first assignment. And so I want to make that point of clarification is that the language piece is good, but it's not a requirement. The department will train you and what you need before sending you out language included. So I do want to make that point of clarification. Thank you so much, Jared. We have our own campus here at the State Department to train you to be the best diplomat or just worker here at our agency. So thank you for sharing that Lisa. No, absolutely. So let me say this regardless of serving directly in Foreign Service or supporting those serving in Foreign Service. The world that we live in is global. It is connected more so than ever before. And I personally learned Spanish for about eight years in junior high and high school and the first couple years in college. What I will say is be curious, be interested. What is so critically important for business and to advance in your career is to learn a second language. So one of the things that I find in working with people from all over the world in the State Department is that sometimes oftentimes in the US, we do not push people to learn a second language. But in the world that we are embarking on, which is far, far more global, it is highly advantageous for your career to learn a second and even be like Daniel learn a third language as well, because it will carry you to places you never even imagine that you would go. Thank you so much Lisa. I will just echo all of our panelists. You never know the advantages, just taking one or two courses at your institutions. Because once you get to the State Department, we will sharpen those skills and we'll prepare you for that diplomatic passport before you go out to post so thank you so much for each of you sharing that. I have a question here for our panelists to share. I am a 2021 grad currently working in the civil service, but looking to pivot into a career at the State Department. Any advice for making that change and getting my foot in the door. So I'm going to go back to Lisa because this is your day job miss Lisa so I wanted to see if you could answer that question and what career advice you could give this young fellow here. So just to make sure I understood pivoting into foreign service is the question. So I believe they are trying to get into a I believe this is yes is the foreign service because they are currently already a civil service so I will just make that assumption yes. So one curiosity is so important volunteering as well. Like Jared mentioned there are programs. There are initiatives to assist with that there were several programs in fact last year that are literally bridges from civil service into foreign service that operate that way. Another thing is we've heard so much about this today and that is networking is you have got to reach out to people who are doing the thing that you want to do and find out be curious schedule coffee chats. Maybe three years ago even it was very hard and difficult to get someone on a virtual coffee chat. Now everyone is open to it. So what I say is identify what it is that you want to do. If there's someone that's sitting on this panel or another panel reach out to them and schedule some time to chat because that's where it really begins. It's not just about applying to an open position on USA jobs. It's literally about making the connections and the contacts and getting insight and information to make it happen. But let me say this. It's also about focus and it's about intention and it's also about prioritizing what it is that you want to do where you want to grow in your career and getting that assistance. So in the position that I sit in in the CDRC. It is part of what we do is to help people to map out their careers inside of the Department of State whether it is you're already a foreign service officer and you're looking to what's next or you're a civil servant and you're looking to what's next or you may even be a contractor or you might be a fellow or serving as an intern and you're looking to make this into a more permanent option. And so make sure that you are identifying what I like to call those individuals on your personal and professional board of directors that can help you lead you to your ideal career path. Thank you so much, Lisa. Nicole, can you share with our viewers a little bit about your background as it relates to this question? Sure. I actually started in the department as a civil service budget analyst. And so when I started, I realized that there was this other world of foreign service where I could take those same financial management skills and apply it overseas. So I quickly pulled up the job announcement and looked at what the requirements were, and I realized that I actually had quite a bit of those already. And so what I would say to anyone that is looking to pivot at this point, figure out what path you want to go, whether you want to do a generalist path or a specialist path. And if you choose a specialist path, there are so many, but you want to make sure that you're taking assignments as a civil servant that will prepare you with those skills and requirements because there are a bit higher in terms of industry experience. So you might need 10 years of experience versus a first college graduate, but you can definitely as Lisa said, networking is key. I think I talked to every domestic FMO I could find to get an understanding of what is this job about? How is it different? What do you do? What do you live? What are the things that you enjoy? What are you not enjoying? I also had the opportunity to travel to a few budget conferences, and I also networked with almost every budget officer, financial management officer at those conferences because I wanted to understand the different regional perspectives and get an idea of what I was going to face when I went overseas. So networking is key, making sure that you have the right skill set for those things. So it looks for opportunities. If it's not your current job, maybe you can volunteer as someone said, or even just raise your hand to be available and let people know that you're interested. And when people know that you're interested, they will tell you how to get into the foreign service. They will give you tips and tricks and tell you and show you and guide you on the right path. Thank you so much, Nicole. So I'm going to take our last question and ask our panelists to share any final last words during those acknowledgements. So this last question is what experience can HBC students obtain if they do not have a robust international affairs program at their college or university. So I'm going to start off with Jared and then go to Daniel, then Lisa, then Nicole. Thank you, Candace. Well, first I will start by saying, you know, look at other opportunities. If there's not a declared major, what can you do that's close to it? As I mentioned earlier, we have people from all backgrounds, right, in all fields that make up the the Department of State family. So if you're limited there, look for opportunities to do things like model UN or other things that get you exposure to some of those concepts or themes that you might see in your typical international studies program. There are also some summer programs you can look at. I know the Ralph Bunch Center at Howard University does a summer program, the Wrangles Scholar Program, where they expose students to different careers in international affairs. So look at opportunities like that. So you have a better indication of, you know, what you might want to do and what are the skills associated with that particular agency or that particular job. So there's that. And I think the other thing that I would add, Candace, if I may, is for those that have already started a career, we were just talking or took a question from someone who's a civil servant. The department has programs where if you are a member of the civil service for the State Department, you can look at what we call hard to fill positions. If we have vacancies overseas in the Foreign Service that are open at the time, then civil service members are eligible to apply for some of those jobs. And so that's one way that I've encouraged my civil service colleagues to take a look and see if this is something you would like. Try it out first, if you're not sure. And then, you know, lastly, I just say take advantage of the opportunities that are out there. I encourage folks apply for everything. Daniel mentioned the Pickering Fellowship. I was a recipient myself of the Rangel Fellowship. And I just applied for everything, you know, and, you know, if I didn't get it the first time I applied again. Just, you know, stay the course, stay the course is what I would say. But all the best if there's anything I can do and be a resource for individuals I'm here for. Thank you so much. Thank you, Jared. Okay, Daniel. So I agree with Jared. Apply for everything, try everything. I certainly did. There's lots and lots of things that you can do. Again, remember that I think that there's a lot of power in volunteerism. There's a lot that people will allow you to do if they're not paying you. So I would say, you know, look at different organizations that are around you that might have something slightly international. Or like Nicole said, whatever skill you have a hard skill if you if you're good in finance if you're good in accounting if you're good with in the technical fields with with kind of network engineering. There are lots of opportunities out there. Lots of organizations that have an international platform that need those technical skills and you can go there. But one thing I will really encourage you to do is apply for a State Department internship. Now it's not happening so much now under COVID but normally and soon to come. We will have opportunities for you to work in hundreds of posts around the world where you can get a taste of what it's like to work in the Foreign Service. We also have lots of opportunities for you to work in the State Department as an intern in Washington, where you can also get a great feel about what makes the State Department work. And those are great experiences to have that then make you even more marketable. And you combine that with as Lisa described networking, which you'll be able to do because you'll be within the organization. And you will you it's is yet to be seen how many different opportunities you'll have from there. So I'll just say in my in my closing statement that I'm so glad. First of all, the GPA continues to host this excellent program I think this might be my fifth or six year being able to participate I'm glad that I'm able to participate. Even though I'm not in Washington at the moment, and I just want to speak to every HBCU graduate and student out there and just encourage you to take the plunge. Try something different try something new. If you're just slightly interested, then that's enough to give it a try and you have nothing to lose by trying also encourage everybody to take the Foreign Service exam. You can take it just to see how it goes. And hopefully, we will be able to call you colleague and we'll see you somewhere in the world one day. So congratulations in advance, and thank you so much Candice. Thank you Daniel, I'm going to go to Lisa and then Nicole to take us home. All righty. So, wow, Jared Daniel, thank you and Nicole, and also Candice for hosting us today this was an amazing event amazing activity to be here. One of the things is get your elevator pitch together now. Now, this is a thing that I talk about often what that clients in the CDRC as a career counselor is be clear about what you want to do so that when you show up in certain places that you have your 60 second elevator pitch ready so that you can excite people about the possibility of what it is you're trying to accomplish. So be ready. I believe that we're always in a constant state of learning and growing. And so, for those of you who might not necessarily have all the opportunities available at your university. One of the things you can look at is your community, many faith based organizations, community based organizations, and even hospitals and medical facilities will have international affairs. I happen to be my hometown is Cleveland, Ohio. And one of the things there is our treasure is the Cleveland Clinic, and they have one of the largest most impactful international international affairs departments, and they do so many opportunities around the world and offer so many opportunities for internships. So look beyond the typical, but also make sure that if you have clarity on what you want, you will be able to attract the thing that you want and you'll be able to focus. For those of you who are currently students at HBCUs, maybe considering going to an HBCU, or maybe you're not even at an HBCU, but you're just passionate about government service and in particular lead the State Department and Foreign Service is pursue your goals. Do not give up. Despite what is happening in the world right now, things will get back to some new level of normal. And the State Department is here ready to welcome you into Foreign Service into civil service. And I cannot wait to call you colleague. So that is my last statement, and it has been a pleasure to share with you about my experiences in the State Department, and as a graduate of an HBCU. Thank you. Thank you so much Lisa and Nicole. Yes, I'll just quickly add that management and leadership skills are critical, whether your civil service or foreign service, you will eventually need to lead a team. And that could be a small team or really large team as you advance through your career so make sure wherever you are you're doing your management and leadership opportunities if they don't exist, create one. And I want to also thank my fellow panelists today as well as Candace. I have truly enjoyed this, and I'm still looking for other people to join the ranks of financial management officer so please reach out if you are interested. We'd love to have you. Thank you all so much for today's discussion kicking us off for our 13th HBCU Foreign Policy Conference. That wraps up our first session folks and I hope that this inspired you to pursue a career at the State Department as well as getting a glimpse that we are here. The HBCU community is strong. So I'm just going to give you a couple of next steps. We'll take a 10 minute break, and then you'll join us for our second session excuse me with the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. So thank you all so much for joining us. Thank you to my panelists. I will join you in the chat very briefly and I hope you have a great conference day and please tune in for today and tomorrow's event.