Client Programs

U.S. Department of State (DOS)

Challenge: The U.S. Department of State (DOS) faces the challenge of acquiring a large number of qualified candidates to fill Foreign Service Officer positions. In order to fulfill this challenge, qualified students, committed to passing the Foreign Service Written Exam (FSWE) and completing the DOS application process, are needed. The exam takes place once per year. Currently, pass rates for the exam are low. EdVenture Partners provides a solid pool of candidates via relationships with over 400-college campuses nationwide. The U.S. Department of State Student Marketing Program was the ideal way for the DOS to increase their population of registrants for the FSWE which lead to Foreign Service Officer (FSO) career opportunities.

Program/Student Objectives:

• To reach Undergraduate and Graduate students with diverse backgrounds, skills, and non-traditional majors to enroll in the FSWE to become FSOs.
• Targeting underrepresented minorities: Hispanic, African American, Asian, and Native American.
• Increase awareness within the target market of the U.S. Department of State FSO career opportunities by end of semester.
• Building the DOS reputation as a viable career choice within the marketplace.
• Generating positive media coverage of the DOS's role in education through campus-based media (newspapers, radio and television).
• Reaching a specified number of enrolled applicants for the FSWE.

Benefits to Clients: The U.S. Department of State Student Marketing Program at San Francisco State University (SFSU) campus was successful in increasing awareness of FSOs career opportunities, as well as, increased the numbers of registrants to sit for the FSWE.

In order to reach the objectives set out by the DOS, the students partnered with the career center and held career fairs centered on promoting the FSWE registration deadline and exam date. The marketing class targeted non-traditional majors, as well as, the SFSU business school/graduate students. Web postings, on-line news and campus newspapers were used to enhance awareness of the program throughout the SFSU campus. Lastly, Ambassador Janet Sanderson, the local Diplomat in Residence (DIR), was instrumental in marketing the DOS and the FSWE on the SFSU campus.

Benefits to Faculty: SFSU faculty curriculum was enhanced using this unique "real-world" marketing experience. The instructor was able to focus his teaching using practical and hands-on experience.

Benefits to Students: Benefits for students participating in the U.S. DOS Student Marketing program included: gaining work experience in an academic environment, working with a real client, networking, building personal confidence and their resumes for potential job opportunities in the future.