Joy… pure joy…
After two years of being a stay-at-home dad and doing various project related to our family (construction, moving, kids, new schools for kids, vaccinations, moving again, etc.), I am finally gainfully employed. Big kudos go to the Department, the Embassy, AAFSW, EPAP, and my immediate/extended family for a variety of reasons. (OK, I did have a 7 week full-time stint as a Macedonian Language Instructor at FSI, I know…).
At any rate, I am loving the first few weeks. I’m learning a lot, each and every day. And I am finally starting to contribute, at least a little bit. An equally important thing – I am starting to get my life back into balance (I am basing this on the fact I played tennis twice last weekend, and I managed to go to the CLO luncheon, sufficient early signs in my book…).
Again, I would recommend the EPAP program to EFMs looking for a professional challenge (well worth the trouble and wait)…
(I really like it when people write cool stuff in parenthesis, it makes the reading much more interesting, no?)
So, almost a year after I applied for the job, I started in my new position as an Econimic/Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Exciting beyond words…
I will have to be a bit more careful aout what I post, though (ahem…)…
The wait is over…
Yes – after almost exactly 11 months, I was finally notified I am able to start my new job under the Expanded Professional Associates Program (EPAP). Let me just summarize the stages I went through to get there (and how long it took):
- EPAP call announced – early Jan 2011
- Pre-application writing test – Jan 2011
- Application – late Jan 2011
- Multi-layered review process (QEP et al.) – all the way into May 2011
- Job interview with several folks on the phone, including my new boss, coworkers and others – May 2011
- Got an offer in writing and accepted it – May 2011
- Started the security clearance process – June 2011
- (started wondering if I am going to get the job in the end – mid Sep 2011)
- Notified by HR that I can start – late December 2011
- Start working – TDB, really a minor detail at this point
I am very, very happy that this process is over. A huge amount of people helped in the process (will not mention them here, but will thank them personally when I get the chance!)
Conclusion:
Hear ye, EFMs – definitely go after EPAP jobs, they are worth it (I am fairly certain my will be). Be ready for the long haul and the many steps it takes, though…
I have a scheduled interview for an EPAP position for the upcoming post!!! YAY!!! It’s a fantastic feeling, having gone so far through the process. I am going to be studying hard in the next few weeks, getting ready for the interview. Last hurdle – here I come…
As you know, the Expanded Professional Associates Program has been established so eligible family members (EFMs) can get professional positions with the Department. Programs like this one help family members continue with their professional development with real-world jobs and help everyone happy at post.
For further reading, go to http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c41174.htm.
… I PASSED the EPAP QEP!!! Wow, such a relief to go onto the next round! And I was cleared for all the segments I wanted to be applying in the future as well. These were some of the longest 6 weeks in my life.
At least one good thing to kick the week off well…
It’s been exactly six weeks since I got the last notice on passing the Business Writing Test from the EPAP coordinator. I wonder when will I hear? I hope I pass the QEP and move onto the next stage…
Who said what when