The Creighton Career Center welcomed a member from the U. S Department of State on Jan 31. This speaker gave a presentation explaining why Creighton students should take an interest in the department.
The U.S. Department of State program management officer of the bureau of budget and planning, Matt Weiller, realized that Creighton students might not have access to information regarding the Department of State, which is why he wanted to do this presentation.
Career Program Coordinator Cheri Jackson felt very fortunate that Weiller decided to come and speak at the Career Center.
“[Weiller] was the one who made all the arrangements to come in,” Jackson said.
Another reason that Weiller provided for wanted to present this information is that he admires the Jesuit education.
“I believe the intellectual rigor and emphasis on service to others inherent in Jesuit education makes for outstanding public servants – including foreign service officers,” Weiller said. “Thus, I strongly encourage Creighton students to pursue careers with the Department of State.”
According to www.state.gov the U. S Department of State is defined as:
“Within the Executive Branch, the Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy adviser. The Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in shaping a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President’s foreign policy. The Department also supports the foreign affairs activities of other U.S. Government entities including the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Agency for International Development. It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S.”
Throughout his presentation, Weiller explained that there were many benefits to working with the Department of state. One of which he spoke about was the opportunity to work overseas as this can be especially nice when members are able to enjoy the foreign country’s holidays as well as the American ones.
Another benefit that comes from living in oversees that comes as a result of working with the department is the opportunity to learn a foreign language as a person can spend up to two years in language training according to Weiller.
Weiller also explained that his work experience had a great amount of variety and change which keeps a department of state worker from becoming bored. Weiller also admitted that one of the greatest benefits of his job is the public service he is able to do for his country.
Anyone interested in working for the Department of State can go to careers.state.gov to apply and can also apply for student programs.
“Working for the government involves a long process so students who are interested should start as soon as possible,” Jackson said.
Jackson also encourages students to come to Career Center for other events such as the presentation by the CIA that will occur on Apr. 4.