Embassy Secretary

– What are the most important aspects of your job?

– I have just completed the Foreign Service Trainee course, and I am now working as an embassy secretary in Beijing. I am part of the political team here at the station, and I cover Chinese foreign policy, among other things. The types of work I do range from information collection and political reporting to follow-up of foreign service-related projects and official entertainment assignments.

– What do you like best about your job?

– The best part of my job is that I am able to use the knowledge gained from my studies and that I learn totally new things every single day. I will most likely work in many different professional fields in the years to come, but I am certain that my competence in Chinese affairs and related perspectives will continue to be useful throughout my career.

– How is the education from The Faculty of Humanities relevant in this job?

– In addition to relevant professional and language skills, my education at HF influenced to a great extent how I work on a daily basis. Through my studies, I learned the importance of language as an indicator when one assesses information, plus the value of consulting sources in the original language and the importance of making independent assessments and organizing one’s own work schedule.

– What’s your best tip for new students who are concerned about their job opportunities after graduation?

– My best advice is to do things you are truly interested in doing, and to continue to investigate the various opportunities this offers. It is wise to look for jobs that are relevant and to take on voluntary assignments or trainee sessions already in the very beginning of your studies, and to set aside plenty of time to apply for jobs towards the end of your studies. Last but not least, use the Career Services at UiO if you are having trouble getting started.

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