Who Is She: Foreign Service Officer Katherine Ntiamoah.

WHO IS SHE?

Currently residing in Mexico, Katherine Ntiamoah serves as a United States Diplomat. Katherine is certainly the definition of the well-rounded career woman who proves that with the right balance you can have it all: Career, Love, and Happiness. Coming from Ghanaian descent, Katherine has traveled and enjoyed the cuisines of many different countries including Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, Puerto Rico, England, and much more. In addition to that, she has experienced at least 20 U.S. States. The world of politics can often be misconstrued  as dull and colorless; however, Katherine demonstrates that this is not the case. Between her dynamic and colorful sense of fashion and her adventurous nature, she brings life to a field that is often misunderstood. Check out my interview with Katherine Ntiamoah, the Stylish Diplomat!

Can you describe what exactly it is a foreign service officer does?

A FSO (aka Diplomat) is a commissioned member of the United States Foreign Service. As diplomats, Foreign Service Officers formulate and implement the foreign policy of the United States.

What would someone interested in this career major in in college?

You can major in any kind of major that you want. I have colleagues who majored in law, social work, culinary arts, etc. 

Aside from education, what other ways can someone prepare for a career in foreign services?

You can intern at the Department of State, live overseas, study a foreign language, or live in a different culture.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of your career?

It really depends. Everyday in this career is different. I work as a Consular Officer right now at a U.S. Consulate in Mexico. But my next posting in Brussels, is going to be completely different. For a better explanation of the possible responsibilities would be to read this book: http://www.afsa.org/OutreachPrograms/InsideaUSEmbassy.aspx

Describe the extent to which your career deals with communication and interaction with the public?

Again, it depends. In my current assignment I interact with people of every single day for hours. I communicate in Spanish 95% of my day. 

Is this a career you see yourself doing longterm? If so, why?

I will do this career as long as I am happy and still like what I do. 

What do you love about what you do?

I love that I get to interact with new people, learn different languages, and do something different each day. 

What do you find the hardest about what you do?

The moving. Moving is hard enough, but every 2-3 years is dreadful. I also cannot always be in the U.S. for family get togethers or important milestones in other friend's lives. 

What hobbies do you partake in outside of work?

I love blogging (http://healthyglows.tumblr.com), I also go to Crossfit, run, cook, and paint.

As a woman, are there any challenges and obstacles you have been faced with in this field? If so, what are they and how did you overcome them?

There are not very many women of color in the Foreign Service so I feel the pressure to always be the best. When I am living in a different culture I have to demonstrate U.S. culture, my African culture, the U.S. black culture, and womanhood in the U.S. Sometimes it is a lot to bear but I love presenting my cultures and being exposed to others. 

Since you started working in this field, have there been any changes to the career?

There has not been any significant changes.

How much of your career involves traveling? If you have to travel a lot, how does this affect your personal life? I.e. family, dating, friends etc.

My day-to-day work does not involve much traveling. There was a time that I had a month long temporary job in another part of Mexico. My partner was excited and even came to visit me. However, I do travel a lot in my personal time. Every month (sometimes twice a month), I try to go some where new. 

What is the most exciting/interesting thing you have witnessed during your time as a foreign service officer?

The most exciting thing I have seen was the overturn of DOMA and how it positively affected my GLBTQ colleagues. Since a big part of my work is immigration related, I am excited to learn about all of the possible changes to immigration law in the U.S. 

How has this career changed/molded you?

This career has taught me to be flexible, quick witted, culturally adaptable, among other things. This career has also sped up a lot of life decisions that I think I otherwise would not have been in a rush to face if I stayed in the U.S. It also taught me to grow up very quickly. But I also think this job has taught me to appreciate my relationships with others, to slow down, and to appreciate my culture and the culture of others. 

How do you stay motivated?

Everyday is different. I try to tell myself that wasting the day is not optional. If at least did something that made me happy or I accomplished some small goal, then I am good.  Some days I just call my parents, siblings, or my partner and talk to them. That is motivation enough for when I cannot motivate myself.

How does one know if the foreign service is the right career for them? What are some personality traits common to those who thrive in this field?

I think that is a personal decision. It is great life but it is not always the glam diplomatic life stereotype that most people have about this career. I would suggest a person to look at the foreign service self-assessment here: http://careers.state.gov/officer/is-the-foreign-service-right-for-you. But you have to be flexible, a hard worker, willing to push yourself, and willing to make hard decisions quickly. 

If there is one piece of advice you could offer other young women interested in entering this field, what would it be?

FLEXIBILITY above all other things. 

She's So Me would like to thank Katherine for taking time out of her busy schedule to speak with us! Follow Katherine on twitter @HealthyGlowBlog and Check out her blog Healthy Glow Blog