Why do you want to work as a Foreign Service Officer? Seek advice from a diplomat-in-residence. What Degree Do You Need to Work As a Police Officer? #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } Whatever the work, the goal is a résumé that showcases one's potential in the 13 dimensions that the State Department considers essential to the foreign service. When the State Department composes the ranked list of potential hires that have successfully completed the application process for the foreign service, it gives bonus points to veterans and those with language skills. Explore the academic path to this career to see if it's the right one for you. What salary does a Foreign Service Officer earn in your area? Many move on to other departments such as the economic or political sections after that initial rite of passage. At Northeastern, faculty and students collaborate in our more than 30 federally funded research centers, tackling some of the biggest challenges in health, security, and sustainability. Explore our. A legal career with the U.S. Department of State can take many forms including Foreign Service Officer, Foreign Service Specialist, Civil Service, Local Employment in U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Make sure that you approach the oral assessment with confidence and make sure you have extensive knowledge of the job for which you are applying. They develop skills in leadership, negotiation, and innovation throughout their work. Diplomatic service officers work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office either in the UK or abroad. Find Schools. According to the U.S. Department of State , foreign service officers aim to “promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad.” Garvey explains that, rather than directly dealing with the government, FSOs in this sector are responsible for reaching out to the public. Within Northeastern’s Master’s in Global Studies and International Relations curriculum, for example, students can apply the theories they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios through XN Projects and foreign service-specific programs like the Diplomacy Lab. Alongside Visa and passport work, FSOs in this cone provide emergency and non-emergency support to American citizens in their host country. At this point in their careers, FSOs can settle into a niche area of foreign service and tailor their future placements to fit their unique interests and abilities. “[Our faculty] bring their experiences into the classroom and share with students firsthand what it’s really like to work in not only a mission or an embassy, but also in an international organization,” she says. However, at the root of all foreign service work is a desire to make a real difference, not only in America but in countries around the world. “[They] have so many wonderful stories to share…[The excitement] is really contagious in that sense.”. working abroad in both developed and developing countries. To accomplish this, political FSOs are kept up to date with the latest positions of the American government on varying issues and are often tasked with representing U.S. views or stances in conversations with their host country’s political leaders. He has ten years of teaching experience. “The process of being accepted to the foreign service is lengthy…[but] we try to coach them through it,” Creed says, explaining that many of her students enter the master’s program at Northeastern having already started the process. Sean has two master's degrees from the University of Arkansas in Operations Management and Engineering. Others declare an affinity for a type of placement at this time. These individuals also establish clear lines of communication between policymakers in their country and the U.S. to defend America’s national interests as needed. Foreign service hiring managers look for individuals who have proven through their past experiences that they are equipped to handle the rigorous and truly novel work of an FSO. The Foreign Service Officer salary is dynamic and ever-changing. Their areas of expertise can encompass a variety of issues, from economics and financial sectors to health, politics, military, and entertainment. When composing your personal statement, be sure to highlight all that you've done to prepare for your job as a foreign service officer. They’re responsible for personnel, for the building, for the security, [etc.].”. Seek out extracurricular activities that help develop the U.S. Department of State's 13 desired qualifications. Master's degree applicants must have a bachelor's or higher. “Things are not always as clear [in foreign service] as they might be in other professions, so you have to be able to balance things out [on your own] quite a bit.” Successful FSOs thrive in ambiguous conditions, by observing their circumstances and making decisions based on deduced information rather than directive instruction. Read on to learn more about how to work in an embassy or how to perform other foreign service tasks. in the program provides students with a level of insight into the workings of the field they won’t get anywhere else. A graduate degree should improve a candidate's competitiveness. However, these issues are not limited to just banking and finance. Explore our program page to learn more about how a master’s in global studies and international relations from Northeastern can help set you on a path toward success. Learn about what a foreign service officer is and what foreign service officers do. At the core of these specialists’ work is a responsibility to keep the American government abreast of any political developments that occur within their host country. This estimate is based upon 250 U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods. EdD vs. PhD in Education: What’s the Difference? According to Garvey, these professionals may also be in charge of “dealing with NGOs [or non-government organizations], human rights activists, opposition parties, [and] journalists” in their host countries. Below we examine what these five cones represent and explore the, Those looking to build a career as an FSO should find opportunities to hone these and other relevant skill sets to stand out during the extensive, Individuals hoping to round out their existing experiences with more tailored exposure to foreign service might also consider pursuing a master’s degree from a program with an, Master’s in Global Studies and International Relations, curriculum, for example, students can apply the theories they learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios through, and foreign service-specific programs like the, If this growing reality isn’t reason enough to encourage aspiring FSOs to pursue a master’s degree, programs like Northeastern’s. Though these personality traits are less learned than they are naturally developed, Garvey and Creed also acknowledge that there are specific practical and interpersonal skills aspiring FSOs should hone before applying to a position in this field. defending their home nation’s foreign policy in high-stakes political conversations to helping U.S. citizens who are traveling overseas. They must accept whatever assignments they're given worldwide. What does a foreign service officer do? While the State Department's 13 basic qualifications cover all five specialties, the tracks emphasize different kinds of work and skills. At the end of those four years, they return to the U.S. to work out of Washington D.C. and learn how to apply their experiences and skills from their time abroad to benefit the nation on U.S. soil. You must also be a U.S. citizenship between the ages of 20 and 59 at the time of application and be able to work worldwide and in Washington, D.C. A solid, all-around college education is the best start to becoming qualified for the foreign service. Diplomatic Service officers help to promote and protect British interests, businesses and citizens overseas. Read the Department's own materials on the five tracks carefully and then ask a diplomat-in-residence about what preparation is most effective. Most Foreign Service officers with the Department of State begin their careers with a 2-year stint, like me, as a consular officer conducting interviews for tourist and immigrant visas. The Department's website offers detailed information about the application process, suggested additional reading and resources as well as contact information for its own career advisors (diplomats-in-residence). "Foreign Service Officer" is one of those broad titles that encompass a number of different, more specific positions. Consider obtaining a masters degree in foreign service or a related field if you feel it will help you improve your career prospects. “We still do a lot of our work by writing reports and analyzing situations,” Garvey explains. Foreign service officers are employed by the U.S. Department of State to safeguard American interests around the globe. What it takes Skills and knowledge. At the end of those four years, they return to the U.S. to work out of Washington D.C. and learn how to apply their experiences and skills from their time abroad to benefit the nation on U.S. soil. The U.S. Department of State has developed a list of essential qualities for the foreign service that it calls the 13 dimensions, some of which include poise under stress, cultural adaptability, initiative and leadership potential, honesty, objectivity, adeptness at analyzing various kinds of information, excellent written and oral communications skills and capacity to plan and organize effectively. Choose one of the five tracks in the foreign service as early as possible and pursue the most relevant work experience. These responsibilities include helping with international adoptions, handling the birth or death of an American citizen overseas, dealing with American arrests, and assisting during natural disasters or evacuations. The listings below may include sponsored content but are popular choices among our users. “These diplomats tend to be what we call ‘generalists,’” says Janet E. Garvey, Ambassador (Retired) and adjunct faculty member within Northeastern’s Master of Science in Global Studies and International Relations program. With a reported career retention rate of 90%, th… What Does a Foreign Service Officer Do? During this time, they gain exposure to a variety of standard diplomatic practices firsthand. Through their dedication, technical skills, and creativity, Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) drive American foreign policy towards its objectives of global peace, stability, and prosperity. Other types of graduate degrees may be valuable, too. Jobs with similar features to the foreign service - working overseas for an aid organization or serving as an officer in the military, for example - are likely to afford more valuable experience than totally unrelated occupations. This dedication to their students isn’t the only benefit of learning from seasoned faculty, however. All rights reserved. This is not to say that life in the Foreign Service is for everyone, as Foreign Service Officers are required to travel a great deal and sometimes work at postings where daily life can be difficult. The program’s curriculum includes countless opportunities for students to gain the hands-on experience and crucial skills required of foreign service officers today. Sean has two master's degrees from the University of Arkansas in Operations Management and Engineering. Approved candidates are then ranked by their various test and assessment scores and added to the hiring register for each career track. No matter how you do it, though, the basics of the job are this: You represent and advocate for the United States and its citizens around the world. (OneClass, 2018). Training programs for this profession adhere to the... Online classes for parole officers are offered at numerous postsecondary institutions. U.S. citizens interested in working at a foreign post who are not host country nationals must be legally eligible to work in the country of hire. Foreign Service Officers represent the United States throughout the world. Alongside these human resource duties, administrative FSOs gain a holistic understanding of the federal service function across countries. Students can pursue a... An admission advisor from each school can provide more info about: Get Started with Southern New Hampshire University, Get Started with Colorado Christian University, Get Started with Purdue University Global, Get Started with Colorado State University Global, Get Started with Columbia Southern University. “Foreign service officers need to have leadership qualities, but also a quietness at the same time,” Creed says. How Much Does a State Correctional Officer Make in Arizona? The average mid-career salary for international relations majors is $92.9K. This could include anything from studying abroad or doing an international internship or co-op during college, to serving in the Peace Corps or the overseas military post-graduation. Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED. The program’s curriculum includes countless opportunities for students to gain the hands-on experience and crucial skills required of foreign service officers today. Two years spent earning an MBA in business school acquiring advanced management skills could also give one a competitive edge. What is your highest level of education completed? Below, we offer three actionable steps that those hoping to pursue a career in foreign service can take to set themselves up for success. How Much Does a Wildlife Officer Make in Arizona? “I think one of the [skills] that’s very important is an ability to deal with a little bit of dissonance,” Garvey says. For instance, they may express a preference or disfavor of “hardship postings,” which involve serving in underdeveloped or developing countries without access to extensive resources or support. How Much Does a Police Officer Make in Phoenix, Arizona? Curriculum, relevancy of sample programs, and outcomes will vary by school. The U.S. Department of State employs foreign service officers throughout the world at over 265 embassies, diplomatic missions and consulates. In-Demand Biotechnology Careers Shaping Our Future, The Benefits of Online Learning: 7 Advantages of Online Degrees, How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School, Online Learning Tips, Strategies & Advice. They may, for example, develop cultural or educational programs that inform individuals in their host country about American culture, politics, economics, and more. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of foreign service officer resumes they appeared on. An overarching theme in all five cones of foreign service is the ability to communicate with both a host country’s political leaders and with the American government effectively. Those who pass the oral assessment proceed to medical and security clearances and a final review of their entire file. The constituency that I represent, the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), plays a critical role in advancing those interests in every region of the world. Having even basic analytics training can be useful for those embarking on a career as an FSO. Ambassador Janet Garvey, former German Ambassador Friedrich Lohr, and former Kyrgyzstan Ambassador Bakyt Beshimov in the program provides students with a level of insight into the workings of the field they won’t get anywhere else. Your assignments can take you to any of the 265 U.S Embassies around the world. To get familiar with this wide array of duties, newly-appointed foreign service officers begin their careers by spending four years working abroad in both developed and developing countries. Whatever their assignment, foreign service officers have to be culturally adaptable and creative problem-solvers who can remain unflappable in the face of challenges and crises. Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED. “The more real-world experience you can have going into the field…the better,” Garvey says. Professional Development Opportunities in Education, Career Resilience: What it Is and How to Build It, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115. The U.S. Department of State does not maintain specific degree, experience or language requirements for foreign service officers, the extremely competitive selection process of exams and assessments makes education, foreign language proficiency and experience vital routes to success. What does a Foreign Service Officer do? Undergraduate applicants must be a high school graduate or have completed GED and completed some college. Enter zip: The work of these generalists might include anything from defending their home nation’s foreign policy in high-stakes political conversations to helping U.S. citizens who are traveling overseas. He got a dreamy look in his eyes when I told him I'd spent the last 18 years of my life following my husband around the world as a Foreign Service spouse. Some of today’s most in-demand disciplines—ready for you to plug into anytime, anywhere with the Professional Advancement Network. Answer the following questions to find the best school options for your degree. According to the U.S. Department of State, foreign service officers aim to “promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad.”. There's no single preferred field of study, and no specific foreign service degree. Court officers, also known as bailiffs, maintain order within courtrooms. Both Creed and Garvey agree that being able to speak, read, and even write in a foreign language is one of the most common and effective skills for FSOs. Although a bachelor's degree is not required, most people in foreign service role do obtain a bachelor's degree. As a foreign service officer, you are the face of the U.S. government worldwide. To get familiar with this wide array of duties, newly-appointed foreign service officers begin their careers by spending four years. For instance, they may express a preference or disfavor of “hardship postings,” which involve serving in underdeveloped or developing countries without access to extensive resources or support. Creed explains that having established faculty like U.S. What does a foreign service officer do? If you’re passionate about public service and want to represent the U.S. around the world, a challenging and rewarding career is waiting for you. Foreign service officers, also known as diplomats, help manage political and economic relations with a specific country. […] As a foreign service officer, you would work as a diplomat in a U.S. consulate or embassy. Want expert, personalized advice that can save you a lot of time and money? Foreign service officers staff embassies and consulates and provide help to American citizens overseas. 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