Real-Life Math
How important is math to this profession? "Obviously it's more central
to some of the [roles], like if you're going to be an economics officer this
would be a central skill, or a management officer," says foreign service officer
Sara Rosenberry. "But in other areas it's secondary or background work.
"In human resources work, statistics are important," Rosenberry adds. "I've
had basic economics courses but I'm no whiz at math."
Of course, there
is also the matter of personal finances. For example, the U.S. government
reimburses new foreign service officers for their food and lodging while they
are training in the nation's capital.
According to the State Department
website, from June 1 to August 31 of each year the maximum amount of daily
reimbursement is $162 for the first 30 days. This drops to $81 for days 31
through 120, and from 121 on, it's $40.50 a day.
If you
trained for a period of 128 days, how much reimbursement would you receive?
(if you received the maximum for each day) Remember to use the daily reimbursement
schedule!