How can I become a diplomat (in the future)?

Question

I am a high school student and want to become a diplomat after college (a foreign service officer. or FSO) What classes should I take now, and what should my major be in college? How important is it to know multiple languages? Are some better than others (for instance, Korean vs. Spanish.) Does anybody work as an FSO or know one? What is it like?

Please answer any questions you know the answer too! Thank you!

Answer 1

THe people who have posted here have given very good information.  Here is my input.  My daughter joined the foreign service (was sworn in) in August 2005 and now serves in Bucharest.  She takes every opportunity to travel (the Americans have holidays of both US and Romanians off) and even for 3-day weekends takes vacations to Turkey etc.  However, living abroad is challenging.  Food is different.  She had a 3 bedroom paid-for condo but was recently without hot water for 3 weeks.  But she is experiencing things she could not have known had she stayed with her dot-com job in Northern CA.  We are flying to Bucharest next month to see her and then we're all off to Rome for a few days.  She will also show us the Romanian countryside.  She has met other Americans who work at the Embassy and has stayed in touch with people she went through training with in DC (she says she doesn't know how people did foreign service before the internet).  Good luck.  Look into it.  It's not for everyone, but since you're interested in it, check it out.

Answer 2

Silver is correct about the test process.  I would add that the only requirements to become an FSO are to have a high school diploma, to be a US citizen on the day you are sworn in, pass the written and oral exams, get a top secret and medical clearances to serve worldwide.

There are no language or college degree requirements.  It absolutely makes no difference what you studied, unless that study helps you pass the exams.  I took the oral exam with several people who had advanced degrees in political science and international relations; they did not pass.  I came into the service speaking Spanish and have never served in a Spanish-speaking country - the Service has taught me three other languages, and I learned two more on my own.  If you need a language or skill for an upcoming assignment, the Service will teach it to you.

Here is a very nice link for more information:

http://careers.state.gov/officer/index.h...

Answer 3

Get a course that is related to that--international studies, political science, journalism, etc. Knowing languages other than English (and your native tongue) is important. You can learn Chinese, Spanish or French. You also need to be updated with current events.

Answer 4

If you are not  U.S citizen can you still get a job?

thanx

Answer 5

Take as many courses in international affairs, foreign policy, etc.    It will help if you know a foreign language.  Most valuable languages are Arabic, Russian, Chinese, which are more difficult for Americans to master.  

Entry into the Foreign Service Officer program is through an examination process, which is composed of a written and an oral part.  You need to score high enough on the written part in order to go for the oral part of the examination.    I've been through both parts, and sat for the oral exam at the Foreign Service Institute offices in Rossyln, VA, which is across the Potomac River from Washington, DC.    You'll be interviewed by examiners who will ask you hypothetical questions, e.g., what would you do if there was a demonstration of protestors outside the embassy gates?  You'll also perform an "in-basket" exercise, where you are a consul filling in for someone on leave, and have to go through a bunch of memos and decide what to do with them, in the space of 90 minutes.  

It's a pretty selective process.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Study Political Science, International Relations, Law, etc..

For instance, the folks I know had varied degrees; Law, BS degree, 4 yr. degrees, advanced degrees.

Knowing multiple languages is always a plus in any situation, but none are really "better" than others. Most people that go into Foreign Service don't speak multiple languages but sometimes they are sent to a language school to learn them depending on the post. Many members of my family and friends of the family are in this career and none of them went into it speaking anything but English. Only one went to school to learn a different language and that was while he was already in the State Dept. They sent him to school to learn French.

Working in this field is very rewarding, esp. if you like to travel and like adventure. You will spend your entire career traveling both on the job and off, meeting varied people of different cultures. It helps to be accepting and have an open mind. The testing process is tough, but rewarding once you pass.

This sounds like you really know what you want, have a good head on your shoulders and can do it. You'll have a very interesting life ahead and you won't regret it. Good Luck to you.