What’s It Like to Be a Foreign Service Information Management Specialist?

When you successfully complete the Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship and the State Department requirements, you’ll receive an appointment as an Information Management Specialist (IMS), and launch an exciting career traveling the world and supporting diplomacy through technology.

Three IMSs who have served in the Foreign Service all around the world come together for this panel discussion to share their experiences. This is a great opportunity for you to hear what it’s really like working in the Foreign Service. Discover how these IMSs launched their careers, what their most memorable experiences have been, what a “typical” day is like in the life of an IMS, and much more.

You’ll get a chance to ask questions during the live Q&A! Patricia Boerner, program manager for the FAIT Fellowship, U.S. Department of State, will also join us to answer any questions you may have about the fellowship.

Our panelists:

Devon Brown joined the State Department in 2016 as an Information Management Specialist, and has served in Niger, Peru and Iraq. He is currently serving a one-year IMS assignment in the Department of State Operations Center’s Innovation Office. After his current assignment, Devon will attend the National Intelligence University for a 1-year long-term training program where he will obtain a Master of Science in Information Technology Intelligence.

Breonna Claude joined the State Department as a Foreign Service IMS in 2015. She spent her first two tours in Monrovia, Liberia and Wellington, New Zealand. She previously served 15 years in the U.S. Army in Maryland and Belgium. Breonna earned her dual bachelor’s degree in political science and information systems management from the University of Maryland, and is pursuing graduate certificates in project management and data analytics from East Carolina University. She is currently an Information Systems Officer at the U.S. Embassy Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Daniel Lewis completed the FAIT Fellowship program and joined the State Department as a Foreign Service IMS in 2020. He earned his master’s degree in Enterprise Data Systems at Syracuse University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Management and Technology. He received training as a Network and Systems Administration in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 2013. He is currently working at his first post as an IMS at the U.S. Embassy Vienna.

Patti Boerner is the Program Manager for the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship. She has been with the Department of State for more than nine years, previously serving as an Employment Program Officer in the Family Liaison Office where she advocated for and provided guidance on family member employment. Prior to working for the Department of State domestically, she served as the Community Liaison Office Coordinator for several years at the U.S. Embassy in London. Her work experience outside of the Department of State includes teaching overseas in Frankfurt, Germany and at public schools in the United States.

Register today! If you are unable to attend, you’ll receive a link to access the on-demand recording after the webinar.