Joseph Sullivan, a former ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2004 and a diplomatic resident and professor at Tulane University, spoke to University of Memphis students in the UC's Faulkner lounge Thursday about possible careers in foreign services.
Sullivan recalled watching Zimbabwean school children sing the African and Zimbabwean national anthem and the "Star Spangled Banner."
"There wasn't a dry eye in the house," he said.
The Zimbabwean children sang in appreciation of an international program where the African nation's best students were invited to attend schools in American suburbs and eventually colleges.
They were allowed to do so in response to Zimbabwe's international crisis, which had especially hampered the poor.
Parents in Zimbabwe encourage their children to pursue an education and several children aspire to become doctors or lawyers, Sullivan said.
Therefore, education is a key, he said.
"They had such a high value for education that they would succeed," Sullivan said.
Zimbabwe was one of many countries Sullivan has done foreign duties in. He served as a career minister in the Senior Foreign Service for 35 years and has worked in Africa, the Middle East, Latin American and Europe. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was a health service officer with the National Institute of Health.
Sullivan said his career gave him a chance to taste other cultures as well as helping foreign countries that were in nationwide crisis.
It also got him involved in diplomatic matters where he could help strengthen relations between the U.S. and other nations as well as protecting the welfare and interests of American citizens, he said.
Sullivan said it created a cultural dimension and encouraged University students to join.
"It's an absolute great career," he said. "Culture is important and also lots of fun."
Positions for students in the U.S. Department of State are numerous and so are the opportunities, which include internships, clerkships and programs for students with disabilities and fellowships for students still in school.
Sullivan said internships and fellowships are great ways for students to gain job experience while still in school. He also said 30 percent of the internships are compensated.
"Those programs are competitive, but people get them every year," Sullivan said. "You have work and academic experience, assess your abilities, see which skills you're good with and which areas you fit in."
There are also several civil service career possibilities that include positions such as an officer or specialist in the Foreign Service.
Sullivan said they are also great career choices because, in addition to salary, housing, home leave to visit family and education for children are provided.
"There are extra benefits beyond the salary," he said. "It's much like a military career."
Sullivan added that the jobs do not require the students to previously know a foreign language or have a formal degree.
"(It) does not matter if they know 10 languages or no languages," he said. "The examination is based on who passes. You either pass or you don't pass."
However, he said when people get the jobs, they train them in the language they need to learn.
"The U.S. Department of State offers a variety of wonderful opportunities from internships, civil service and Foreign Service positions," said Jessica Randolph, the recruiting coordinator for career and employment services.
Some students were not sure of their future in the state department, while others have already done work abroad for other reasons. However, they said Sullivan helped them get more acquainted with a distinct career choice.
"Opportunities like this help me make decisions on what I want to do," said Luke Hill, a senior international business major. "I think America definitely needs services to help people and it's a good thing."
Don Mitchell, a senior economics major, spent some time in Rwanda in 1994 and wanted to join the Foreign Service to help them with their economic development. He said he came to The U of M to study economics and eventually take it back to Africa.
"I'm concerned about their level of opportunity," Mitchell said. "It's important to me to be a member of Foreign Service."
