Foreign Service OMS Podcast

About Foreign Service OMS Podcast

Looking for an insider’s perspective on life as an Office Management Specialist (OMS) in the Foreign Service? The Foreign Service OMS Podcast is your go-to source for real stories, expert insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at this dynamic career. Topics include: ✨ Rising as a leader in the OMS corps 🌍 The most exciting and unexpected assignments 💼 How OMS professionals shape their careers Whether you're an aspiring OMS, a current executive assistant professional, or just curious about the world of diplomacy, this podcast is for you. Subscribe today and be part of the conversation! 🎧🌎 Producer Contact: fsomspodcast@gmail.com

Publisher

foreign service professional

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Sept 2024

Latest episode

15 Mar 2025

Latest episodes

11 of 11 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   15 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 02. Research and Networking in Bidding: Winderlyn Spills the Secrets

   Send us a text Want to ace your Foreign Service bidding process? Office Management Specialist Wenderlyn breaks down her career journey, sharing insider tips on excursion bidding, interview success, and strategic lobbying. Learn how to navigate the bidding cable, maximize networking opportunities, and leverage back-to-back domestic tours for leadership growth. If you're an OMS looking to land stretch positions and take control of your career, this episode is a must-listen!

2. 

   12 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 06 Take Charge of Your Career with Jessica Ward

   Jessica Ward, a Foreign Service Office Management Specialist, discusses her career journey and the differences between living and traveling overseas with host.

3. 

   12 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 09. OMS Strategic Impact: Stories from Cheveda Fergerson

   Cheveda Fergerson, a Foreign Service Office Management Specialist, discusses her career journey and the skills needed to thrive in the OMS role, interviewing with host.

4. 

   12 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 10. From Non-profit Colleagues to FS OMS Friends: Stories from Brooke, Andrea, and Dolores

   Hosts Brooke, Andrea, and Dolores, former NGO colleagues turned Foreign Service OMSs, share firsthand accounts of resilience and adaptability in navigating international crises and maintaining self-care under pressure in an interview.

5. 

   12 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 07. From Foreign Service Direct-Hire to Military Spouse with Cindy Edwards

   Cindy Edwards, a Foreign Service OMS, discusses her career journey, family life, and the decision to transition to military spouse life with host.

6. 

   12 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 08. Stories of an Entry-Level Foreign Service OMS with Sara Seymour

   Sara Seymour, a former service member turned entry-level OMS, discusses her transition from the military to the Foreign Service, highlighting the skills that eased her journey and the unique challenges she faces as a single person in the service, in an interview with the host.

7. 

   12 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 05. Leadership in the State Department: Insights from Jamie Cohn

   Jamie Cohn, Office Management Specialist, discusses her leadership roles and experiences in the State Department, highlighting her impactful work during the Afghan evacuation and COVID challenges, as she is interviewed by the host of the Foreign Service OMS Podcast.

8. 

   15 Oct 2024TRANSCRIPT

   Ep 04. Llywelyn Graeme

   Llewelyn Graham, has over 20 years of experience as an Office Management Specialist (OMS) in the State Department. He shares his career journey, thoughts on OMS promotions, and the direction of the OMS Corps. Listen to Llewelyn recall some of his best moments in the Foreign Service. Learn how he believes in the power of mentorship a strong support system for our colleagues.🔊 The audio speed is increased in the interest of time. Please excuse any typos and editing errors.📩 Feel free to get in ...

9. 

   11 Oct 2024TRANSCRIPT

   Ep. 03 Laura Avakian

   I sat down with Laura Avakian, office manager to Assistant Secretary of Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, to chat about her pathway into the Foreign Service. Laura shares how she establishes healthy relationships with her bosses, sets personal and professional boundaries, and prioritizes work-life balance. On the OMS corp, she encourages open communication and mutual respect to create a positive work environment. Listen to one of our fantastic colleagues sharing how they champion the ...

10. 

    26 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT

    Ep 01. Cortney Conrad | OMS Program Unit

    In this pilot episode, we sit down with Cortney Conrad, the first director of the new OMS Program Unit. We discuss Cortney's career, including her motivation for joining the Foreign Service. Cortney invites us to celebrate OMS contributions to the Foreign Service as she spearheads the team in charge of defining the path forward for the corps. Chapters00:00 Introduction to the OMS Program Unit03:07 Cortney's Background and Entry into the Foreign Service05:14 Favorite Assignments and Non-Tradit...

11. 

    26 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT

    Welcome to the FS OMS Podcast

    Welcome to the Foreign Service Office Management Specialist podcast, a space for FS OMSs to tell their stories. In this podcast, we talk about OMS contributions in the Foreign Service. We dive deep into career advice and the direction of the OMS corps. If you are a Foreign Service OMS hopeful, a retired or resigned OMS, a current OMS, or an OMS supporter--this podcast is for you.

Inside a recent episode

Ep 02. Research and Networking in Bidding: Winderlyn Spills the Secrets

Published 15 Mar 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Sometimes there's a rule that says, you can bid excursion all day long. However, if you just came up with excursion, you cannot. These are the normal rules, right, that she might see. So what I would say is have already started doing your research on where you want to go. And then when the bidding cable comes out, figure out how you want to work within those rules. Here's the thing, whether you're bidding on a counselor position, which if you're going to do that, you really need to read the counselor block because they have very specific rules and guidelines for how to bid on a counselor position. […]

Who has been a guest on Foreign Service OMS Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jessica Ward
• Cheveda Fergerson
• Cindy Edwards
• Sara Seymour
• Jamie Cohn

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

4.5 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

58

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact Foreign Service OMS Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Foreign Service OMS Podcast