US Foreign Service Officer (Diplomat)

Diplomat I used to know owns a bar. Why, I have no idea. I haven't seen him in about three years, so now that you remind me of this I'm going down to say hello when I get a chance. You're either going to become very good at what you do and rise through the ranks....or you will be pushed around by generals, warlords, dictators, extremely wealthy businessmen, or politicians. The job can be bureaucratic but is more political than anything else. Think who you answer to: politicians and public opinion.

Learn the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth at the same time. Don't ever underestimate your superiors, they may be lacking in what you call 'technical' abilities but may just as easily be related to a king or be a multimillionaire. This rabbit hole goes extremely deep.

It's a pretty cool career and provided you aren't retarded the exit ops can be almost anything. People go into media, politics, gov't, CIA, business, etc etc etc. It's often high level work and the exposure you get blows away anything that an investment bank can offer. You most likely will not broker peace in the middle east, but you'll definitely be working on stuff with huge impact relatively early in life.

It's fascinating work and to get anywhere you can't be a paper pusher: you have to be "in"....otherwise, yeah, you'll end up in some meaningless and dull role. I'm actually envious of you and wish you very good luck. Maybe someday our paths will cross.

The Foreign Service Exam is extremely difficult. I was born, raised and live in Washington, D.C. and I know multitudes of people who have taken the exam multiple times and failed over and over again. From what I understand there is no set "passing" score. After taking the exam you are invited in for a day long "interview" that I believe includes a panel interview plus a day of group activities. If you can pass these 2 sections--the written exam and the verbal exam--then and only then do you make the list of people who can be drawn from. Of the few people who make it into the pool, many people are never drawn. I think there is a 2-year period that you are in the pool--if you are not drawn then too bad--gotta start the process over from the very beginning. If you are drawn then you go to a school for several months--you are given several dozen assignment options and everyone is trying to get the best one. More than likely you will get sent to the worst and most dangerous places when you are early in your career. The people who end up in Western Europe or other rich, safe countries are usually very experienced and senior.

From what I understand, foreign language knowledge is not required, but it makes you a more competitive candidate. And if you get into the pool to be drawn from, you are far more likely to get selected for service if you speak a foreign language. To go through the entire process and actually get selected for service is probably more difficult than getting into Harvard undergrad. So I would definitely not put all your eggs into one basket.

I'm fairly certain that a first-year FSO makes something like $50,000. Not sure where you got the $100,000 number from.

EDIT: just looked up the 2012 pay scale--all new FSOs are considered entry level. With a masters degree, your entry level base pay would be just a shade under $50,000. This doesn't include housing allowances and what not, but you would have to be fairly senior to break $100,000 in base pay.

If I'm independently wealthy in my mid-40s I would consider entering the foreign service. But I believe the maximum age allowed is early 60s, so it would be a relatively short second career.

The above poster is spot-on. Entry-level, you're likely going to be going to a remote outpost in a somewhat obscure or dangerous part of the world to do work that may or may not be interesting or seem important.

Also, I know people with 3.9+ GPA's from HYP schools who could not pass the FS exam even after multiple attempts. It's difficult, and the process is incredibly opaque. Having been a management consultant will buy you, if any, only a shred more credibility with the State Department. Be ready to explain why you would be a good FS candidate in pretty elaborate detail to a panel of government officials staring you, if you pass the initial test. Which is hard. For instance, a friend of mine took it and said there were questions about the optimal geographies to run an oil pipeline out of Azerbaijan (no map etc. given).

Check out the Foreign Commercial Service. They work in the consulates/embassys as Department of Commerce attaches. Move nearly just as much and have some interesting work as well.

The diplomat's role is often idealized, because of all the travel involved. It won't be going to Paris one year and then jet-setting to Cabo the next; it's a LOT of paying your dues by going through all the danger zones, to paraphrase Kenny Loggins, before you even hit a halfway decent place (think Romania). This can take several years, and assignments can be anything from working in passport services to office work; it certainly won't be the glamorous lifestyle of hobnobbing with political bigwigs every day. The 100k salary you mentioned comes MUCH later in your career.

Additionally, since the first few years will be in underdeveloped areas, health risks should also be taken into serious consideration, especially if you're trying to have children or have young children.

Hi there, I'm a Foreign Service Officer (preferred title, as no one likes to use the "d word") looking to leave the FS and trying to break into management consulting. We should definitely talk!

What did you study in college? can you pass a background check? would you want to work as a FSO or an analyst in intelligence agencies? or do you want to go the think tank route or academia? would you prefer to be banker then donate a shit tone of money to a wining presidential candidate with the promise of an ambassadorship (30 percent of ambassadors are reserved for political favors to the president). Figure these questions out then you'll have a good idea of where to start.

I knew two British diplomats, both left soon after the US election and joined Mck. It seems your going about this the opposite way!

You'll definitely have a lot more interesting life-experiences than your standard consultant however. Given that you will also travel to a lot more volatile places, and be Involved in some really exciting work. The industry connections you make in that position are incredibly enviable. Pay is probably the only thing that Consulting will beat out a foreign service officer in.

Edit: I think I might apply for the foreign service now as well then, I always use to do the same with maps & history as a kid.. It's like seeing you is the future of me ahh!