Job information about establishing the groundwork for democracy in a developing nation or managing the operating needs of an American embassy is just a campus visit away.
Mary C. Pendleton experienced this work environment as an officer for The U.S. Department of State. She currently works in room 421 in Clement Hall advising students who may have the talents and potential for a career in the State department.
Pendleton will set up at the University career fair Sept. 22 to answer questions about potential jobs in the state department, an employer that offers more than just desk jobs.
Pendleton"s job while at the University of Memphis is to recruit talented students who yearn to work abroad and to interest them in foreign service.
'A lot of my past work has been management-oriented,' said Pendleton, who holds a degree in French from Spalding University and a masters" degree in 19th and 20th century French literature and linguistics from Indiana University in Bloomington.
'The experience of working for the State Department teaches you the business side an embassy.'
Pendleton"s work has also led her to visa distribution, travel arranging and other jobs. She negotiated the purchase of land for an American embassy in the new republic of Moldova, a former state of the U.S.S.R., and helped establish diplomatic relations.
Among the destinations Pendleton has worked include Washington, D.C., Central African Republic, Sudan, Philippines, Romania, Belgium and Egypt before arriving at the University of Memphis.
'I went from Memphis to Memphis,' said Pendleton, referring to her recent assignment in Memphis, Egypt. 'I worked in America"s largest embassy right near Memphis.'
Pendleton will likely address international issues in one of Professor Mike Collins" classes.
'Hopefully she"ll talk about the role of diplomats and diplomacy in international law,' Collins said.
One student is already taking advantage of the University of Memphis" diplomat in residence.Senior Amanda Stillman visited Pendleton for information on a State Department future.
'We"ve got this great resource here and I think students should use it,' Stillman said. More information is available www.careers.state.gov or contact Pendleton at 678-3320.
