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What does a foreign service officer do?

What is a good major for someone who wants to be a Foreign Service Officer(diplomat)?

  • I want to become a foreign service officer. It seems soooo interesting. However, I'm not sure what a good major is(i'm a freshmen in college). I know that international relations is a good major; however, I was wondering if political science or history would be just as good or better? Would a previous career as a flight attendant help my chances?

  • Answer:

    I'm the Australian equivalent of a FSO and if you looked at my resume you would wonder how I ever got in. Don't worry about your major. Study something you are interested in (and which can help you get another career if you change your mind later). Personal attributes are important, especially written and oral communication skills. Much of the language used in diplomacy is more nuanced than you would ever hear. A good diplomat can articulate a government's policy with language measured for their audience. One tip: Get into the habit of writing drafts and proofing anything you write. Essays, love letters, excuses for speeding fines etc - make your language accurate, brief and clear. Make yourself sound crisp and authorative, not pompous or meandering. Follow my advice, and since no student these days writes drafts any more, you will have a headstart...

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Mardy is absolutely right, and is a colleague, and gives excellent advice. As for what you should study, study what you love. It doesn't matter what. All you have to do to join the foreign service is have a high school diploma, be a US citizen on the day you are sworn in, and pass the written and then the oral exams. I am an anthropologist. Several of my junior officers studied history, math, English, business, economics, studio art. One is a veterinarian. There are very, very few political science or international relations majors among us. Who hires all those graduates of those elite and expensive programs, I don't know, but it's not the State Department. And by the way, you don't need to study languages: if the State Department wants you to speak a language, it will teach it to you. But the advice to learn to write well is excellent. It will get you through the English portion of the written exam, and might even get you tenured. Here is the straight dope on becoming and being an FSO. Good luck! http://careers.state.gov/officer/index.html

dognhorsemom

Attorney, or elected official such as a judge, ex-military, and such.

NO WMD'S NEOCONS LIE

International relations/international studies are probably the fields of study well suited to a diplomatic career. Your other suggestions sound good too. Studying law is also another way into a diplomatic career, especially international law, and this can lead to careers in the UN too. Whatever you do end up studying, there may be postgraduate degrees in diplomacy (a university here in Australia offers a Master of International Law and a Master of Diplomacy double degree). A good way to 'suss out' what a suitable study path is, is to find out what type of degrees current diplomats/ambassadors have. A previous career as a flight attendant doesn't hurt. It shows that you have the willingness to travel and that you are adaptable.

lilly1522

Sara K Georgetown University in Washington D.C. has great programs for this field. I have no idea what school you are attending but if you can find Georgetown University's web site they are truly outstanding. Another thing to consider is that the University of South Carolina has the numer 1 international business school in the country that also offers these kind of career opportunities. Great school. Check out US News and they are ranked number 1 in the country.

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