Foreign Service Officer Breanna Green Speaks with Global Studies Students
From Global Studies Concentration Coordinator and English Teacher Dr. Lindsay O’Connor
On Tuesday afternoon, this year’s first Global Studies Presents visiting speaker Foreign Service officer Breanna Green shared reflections and lessons from her 15-year career with the U.S. State Department. Joining us via Zoom from her current post as Deputy Political and Economic Counselor and Lead Commercial Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, Ms. Green has held posts in Spain, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, in addition to several in Washington, DC. Global Studies concentration students and others learned about the jobs available through the Foreign Service and how to prepare for these exciting career paths through college coursework and co-curricular opportunities.
On Tuesday afternoon, this year’s first Global Studies Presents visiting speaker Foreign Service officer Breanna Green shared reflections and lessons from her 15-year career with the U.S. State Department. Joining us via Zoom from her current post as Deputy Political and Economic Counselor and Lead Commercial Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, Ms. Green has held posts in Spain, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, in addition to several in Washington, DC. Global Studies concentration students and others learned about the jobs available through the Foreign Service and how to prepare for these exciting career paths through college coursework and co-curricular opportunities.
A graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, Ms. Green shared how close relationships with teachers and advisors at this small women’s college helped her identify post-graduate opportunities and build the confidence to pursue them. Ms. Green’s stories from the field showed the impact of her work. She recalled taking a call at the embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, from an American held hostage on an oil platform (he was ultimately released), and shared how she felt unsure of an assignment equipping peacekeeping troops from Burkina Faso, but its value became clear ten years later during her work with South Sudan when those Burkinabé troops contributed to humanitarian missions during the crisis.
During a lively Q&A, concentration students asked about everything from how to prepare for a career in the Foreign Service to safety tips for international travel, and Ms. Green had historical or social context and a personal story for each query. Her educational and professional journey shows the value of following your interests and of building strong relationships, and all of Ms. Green’s stories spoke to international interconnections and the satisfaction that can come from working in unfamiliar places since we are all part of complex global systems.
This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience for visitors to our website.
By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies.
See our Privacy Policy for additional information.
By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies.
See our Privacy Policy for additional information.
An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
