Michael Moise is a Diplomatic Technology Officer currently posted in Casablanca, Morocco. He joined the Foreign Service after completing the FAIT Fellowship with the 2017 cohort.
Tell us a little about yourself – where are you from, where did you go to college and what was your major?
I was raised about an hour outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I went to college at Syracuse University in upstate New York. I majored in information management and technology. Outside of the office, I love to run, play the piano, and travel!
What made you decide that you wanted to work in technology for the Foreign Service?
I always knew I would be working in the tech field somehow. I have always had a desire to travel the world and experience different cultures. When I saw the brochure inside my university’s career readiness office, it seemed like a perfect fit for me. After educating myself about the Foreign Service lifestyle and some of my basic responsibilities, I knew that it was something I wanted to pursue.
What impact has the FAIT Fellowship had on your life, personally or professionally?
It honestly has had a huge impact on both the personal and professional side. Personally, this lifestyle is everything I could have hoped for. I feel very lucky to have had the ability to travel and explore my other interests. Professionally, I feel like there are many avenues for me to grow. I don’t have to do it one way or take one specific path. I’ve had to be a manager from day one, usually it would be something I would shy away from. I have been taken out of my comfort zone, and it has truly affected my growth and leadership for the better.
Where was your first post and what was your experience when you first got there?
My first post was in Nicosia, Cyprus, a tiny Mediterranean island just west of Lebanon. I was extremely nervous, I did not know what to expect, what my role was going to be, who my boss was going to be, etc. It was the first time I ever had to manage someone – several people – and it was quite a humbling experience to manage people who quite literally had decades of experience. I always asked my staff for their opinion and leaned on their institutional knowledge, and I think they really appreciated feeling included and respected. I had my stumbles as a manager, but I never made excuses for my mistakes and took the criticism with an open mind, and I truly appreciate the experience I received at my first assignment.
What is your most memorable or rewarding experience as a DTO?
I can’t say that there is one moment, but my experience at my second assignment Beirut, Lebanon, was the most accomplished I’ve ever felt as a DTO. My second assignment is where I really learned how to do my job effectively, but I also made many long-term improvements to the embassy, like upgrading our mail systems and helping to implement an embassy wide wi-fi solution. Before arriving to Lebanon, these were major issues that severely affected morale. There were many setbacks and several times when my staff and I wanted to give up. However, we pushed through, and I truly feel like the mission is in a better position than how we inherited it.
Tell us about the Foreign Service lifestyle – what are the pros and cons?
I’m trying very hard not to give the typical State Department answer (i.e. it depends), but I will say that the pros and cons vary by your assignment. In general, though, as a DTO, I’ve found that I have a great work/life balance. We can get overtime as DTOs but it’s only if necessary. I am able to take leave and explore as long as I coordinate with my team. I really enjoy the travel opportunities, not just personally, but professionally as well. I have also enjoyed the housing thus far. I’ve been lucky to be placed in some pretty new apartments that offer amenities, that I probably wouldn’t have back home. The cons are that you are away from family in most cases. Another con is that it is hard to start over again and again. It can be very difficult to find your tribe, so to speak, and sometimes you never find it, and that has to be something that you are comfortable with. The Foreign Service will put you out of your comfort zone most of the time, and while it’s good for growth there are times when you’d like to fall back into what’s comfortable. I will say that for me personally the pros outweigh the cons by a wide margin.
If you are married, with or without children, can you describe how the transition has been for your family?
I have to say that I really like this question, because the prospect of moving overseas seems really appealing to everyone, but it takes some real resilience to go somewhere and not know anything about a place. I am not married, but I am close to my family back in the States, and it’s not easy to be so far away. I am getting experiences I couldn’t have dreamed of, but I do feel like my other life is quite literally worlds away. I won’t try and speak too much for families, because I do not have one of my own, but the constant moving can really wear on children. There are some who love it and grow up and become Foreign Service Officers themselves. I think the heaviest burden is on the spouse. In my opinion, they should try and find work at the mission or a remote job to get that sense of purpose. While it’s tempting to think that sitting in your house or pool side all day is the dream, it will certainly drive you crazy after some time.
What are your future aspirations?
This is one of the many things I love about the Foreign Service. There are so many things I can do. One of the things I would like to do is receive language training. It is harder for us in the DT world, but there are still some positions that require it. I would also like to work with the mobile communications team that travels with the Secretary of State. The opportunities are truly endless in the Foreign Service, and there is something for everyone. You must be willing to ask.
Do you have any advice for those thinking about applying for the FAIT Fellowship?
It is a big decision, so do please think it over with your family/friends. I would say that you also need an open mind. The most successful people in this career field are those that can make the best out of any situation. This job is about service also, so do not forget that you are serving! You should look at the Foreign Service Dimensions, and that should familiarize you with some of our core values. I do want to end with saying that this is a great opportunity for anyone who is seriously considering applying.
