Consulate General. What do i need to study?

Question

What do i need to study to become a Consulate General or a Ambassador?

What degrees would help me learn what i need to know?

Thanks

Answer 1

I second Mia76.

My father works in the embassy, he studied management. It helps to be able to manage a whole 'mini-government' away from home. There are many ways to get to the position of an ambassador, most of them will involve law/peoples skills.

To be an ambassador you will need a degree in one, or both, and atleast skills in the other.

Its also not a post you 'just apply' for. You are appointed as an ambassador, based on preformance et cetera, after working for the Department(ministary) of foreign affairs of the country you are serving. (You dont finish studying, and off you go to another country -- fat chance of that! Biggest misconception there ever can be about embassy jobs!)

Answer 2

Hola, person from Cuzco!  I can only speak with experience about the American system -- maybe someone in the Peruvian system needs to answer your question for you?  S.B. must be writing about the Foreign Services of other countries, as becoming a Consul General or Ambassador in the U.S. service is definitely all about what you know, not who (well, except in the case of political appointees, about 30% of ambassadors and 0% of Consuls General).

Let's define our terms -- a Consul General is either the head of a Consular Section in an Embassy, OR the head of a Consulate (a consulate is a facility in a non-capital city;  i.e. the U.S. has an Embassy in Mexico City, but consulates in Guadalajara, Merida, Monterrey, etc).  An Ambassador is the president's personally appointed representative to another sovereign nation -- and he or she is head of not only the Embassy, but also any Consuls General in the country report to him or her.  So, the Consuls General in Guadalajara, Merida, Monterrey, etc report to the Ambassador in Mexico City.

To become the head of a Consular Section of an Embassy, you should have a good grasp of your nation's immigration laws, good people skills, be a good writer, AND have good management skills.  In most consular sections, the Consul General supervises several Foreign Service officers of various ranks, plus foreign workers.

To become an Ambassador or a Consul General of a Consulate (which is almost like being an Ambassador to the city in which you serve), you should have first and foremost the skills of a political officer -- i.e. be able to report back to your capital about what's happening in that country, and you will be responsible for implementing your country's foreign policy there.  You should also have good writing and speaking skills, good management skills, and the ability to maintain your poise and dignity in a variety of circumstances.

I hope this helps.  Buena Suerte!

Answer 3

For those positions, what you know isn't as important as who you know and how much you contributed to their campaign.  World history, geography, economics and acting classes would be beneficial.

Answer 4

1. Study Law (if your from the States) and then get an LL.M. in Public International Law or MA in International Relations.

2. Study Law (as your bachelor's degree if you're from a country where law is a bachelor's degree and major in International Law) and then get an LL.M. in Public International Law or MA in International Relations.

3. Study International Relations as a bachelor's and you decide whether you want to get a master's or not...

Most of the time when you sign up for the Foreign Affairs Department they put you into training, they teach you certain languages and internships in embassies/consulates in various places. It'll take a while... uh, actually a LONG while until you make it to be an ambassador. Gah. h**l, my old lecturer in my old school said that to be an ambassador at 40-ish is considered young...

Good luck, I hope you make it!