Opportunites after Foreign Service?

Question

I was thinking of becoming a foreign service officer and hopefully working in China for around five years(I intend on learning Mandarin in college). I was wondering what kind of opportunities there are for younger people exiting the foreign service(I'd be around 28) in areas like international business ect.

Also, how available are these opportunities?

Answer 1

It's hard to say really, especially after only 5 years. Coming in with Chinese is no absolute guarantee that you'll get a position in China on your first or second tour, which is what you're talking about over 5 years. Given the number of positions in China though I imagine at least one of your first two assignments would likely be in China. However, even if you do serve in China during part of that time, chances are fair that you'd be spending a significant amount of quality time doing visas, rather than economic or political policy work. So, how marketable you'd be after only 5 years in the Foreign Service is very hard to predict as it would depend on what you were doing during that period. At least you would have spent some time on the ground there and worked on your language skills. Other than that, who knows?

Answer 2

The Foreign Service isn't something you really just do for five years, particularly out of college.  It's extremely tough to pass the FSE and you're not guaranteed a post, even with a language under your belt.  I've had friends posted in Romania when their language is Spanish, etc.   It's a pretty long term and extensive process to become an officer and so they also want people to stay a lot longer.

A lot of large schools have ambassadors in residence and they can help you understand your options.  There are also State internships available to high school and college students.