4 answers
Michael
Student
Olive Branch, Mississippi
1
Question
Updated
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I want to know how to become a foreign service officer
I’m the first in my family to both graduate HS and will now be going to college. I always dreamed of travel and helping others so I decided on diplomacy. I want to join the foreign service and travel the world and work for the government #career . #professional #professional #career #professional #career #foreign #foreign-service #foreign-policy
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4 answers
Fiona G
Senior Communications Specialist
2
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Fiona’s Answer
Hi Michael - I work with the State Department and am very familiar with the Foreign Service. The Department has lots of resources to explain the various career tracks - here is a useful guide to start with: https://careers.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Becoming-a-Foreign-Service-Officer-Specialist.pdf
Within the Foreign Service, there are Generalists and Specialists. The Generalists are what you would typically think of as diplomats, and are on a long-term track towards management. Specialists may go between foreign assignments and at various State Department bureaus in Washington DC, and are more specialized in certain topics. There are also regional experts at the Department here in the US who work as liaisons between the Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) abroad, and upper management/leadership domestically. They are called Desk Officers and are assigned to for example, the Japan Desk, or the Colombia Desk. If you want to be a Foreign Service Officer, it's typical to major in International Affairs, Political Science, or some sort of regional expertise, like Middle Eastern Affairs.
It is extremely beneficial to be proficient in another language, or at minimum to show some talent in language learning. If you'd love to work in China, you should start learning Chinese now. For many countries, you need to learn the language of that country and pass a proficiency test. Those learning a language are taught at the Foreign Service Institute, often in between posts. And often, the higher score you get on the language test, the more money you make. If you don't already have a good foundation in another language, make sure you take language classes throughout your time in college. It should line up with whatever country or region you're most interested in.
Then there is the entrance exam. This exam is notoriously difficult, and many people take it two or three times before passing, if at all. There is a written exam and an interview. The written exam is meant to weed out anyone who doesn't know their American history or hasn't studied regional political affairs. The interview is to test how you would do in different situations - as in, is your personality suited to being diplomatic and representing the United States in any country.
If you're not particularly interested in history, politics, economics, etc, and are more interested in STEM subjects like cybersecurity, you should pursue whatever topic you're most interested in and then look for civilian jobs at the State Department that would allow you to work within the Foreign Service as a specialist instead. Best of luck!
Within the Foreign Service, there are Generalists and Specialists. The Generalists are what you would typically think of as diplomats, and are on a long-term track towards management. Specialists may go between foreign assignments and at various State Department bureaus in Washington DC, and are more specialized in certain topics. There are also regional experts at the Department here in the US who work as liaisons between the Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) abroad, and upper management/leadership domestically. They are called Desk Officers and are assigned to for example, the Japan Desk, or the Colombia Desk. If you want to be a Foreign Service Officer, it's typical to major in International Affairs, Political Science, or some sort of regional expertise, like Middle Eastern Affairs.
It is extremely beneficial to be proficient in another language, or at minimum to show some talent in language learning. If you'd love to work in China, you should start learning Chinese now. For many countries, you need to learn the language of that country and pass a proficiency test. Those learning a language are taught at the Foreign Service Institute, often in between posts. And often, the higher score you get on the language test, the more money you make. If you don't already have a good foundation in another language, make sure you take language classes throughout your time in college. It should line up with whatever country or region you're most interested in.
Then there is the entrance exam. This exam is notoriously difficult, and many people take it two or three times before passing, if at all. There is a written exam and an interview. The written exam is meant to weed out anyone who doesn't know their American history or hasn't studied regional political affairs. The interview is to test how you would do in different situations - as in, is your personality suited to being diplomatic and representing the United States in any country.
If you're not particularly interested in history, politics, economics, etc, and are more interested in STEM subjects like cybersecurity, you should pursue whatever topic you're most interested in and then look for civilian jobs at the State Department that would allow you to work within the Foreign Service as a specialist instead. Best of luck!
Amin Islam, CPA
CPA
2
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Amin’s Answer
Have you thought about joining the peace corps after you graduate? That's what I thought when I read "always dreamed of travel and helping others". However, I'm not sure what the process is to join the foreign service
Amy Green
Recruiter
3
Answers
Los Banos, California
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi,
Becoming a foreign service officer is not something I have a lot of knowledge about. But from what I do know, Political Science and/or Pre-law/BA Business -- and/or:
Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)
Take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)
Submit Personal Narratives for the QEP Review.
Take the Foreign Service Oral Assessment.
Clearances: Medical and Security.
Suitability Review Panel.
ANY career is a LOT of tenacity and this is no different. Good luck to you!
Becoming a foreign service officer is not something I have a lot of knowledge about. But from what I do know, Political Science and/or Pre-law/BA Business -- and/or:
Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)
Take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)
Submit Personal Narratives for the QEP Review.
Take the Foreign Service Oral Assessment.
Clearances: Medical and Security.
Suitability Review Panel.
ANY career is a LOT of tenacity and this is no different. Good luck to you!
Virginia Rho
Cast Member & Operations Administration
9
Answers
Honolulu, Hawaii
Updated
Virginia’s Answer
I feel like unless you’re subjective to work for the government, there are tons of other opportunities that allows you to travel and still allow you to fulfill good deeds. You may want to fine tune what type of help you want to provide, and it might allow you to narrow down the companies!