How to Apply to the Diplomacy Fellows Program as a Foreign Service Officer

Interested in making your mark in the world, engaging in international diplomacy and foreign policy, travelling to duty stations around the world, and being part of trans-national intrigue? Then a career as a Foreign Service Officer with the US State Department is just the ticket. One of the best ways to get your foot in the door is through the prestigious Diplomacy Fellows Program. Here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. **Check Out State Department Careers**
   
   Visit careers.state.gov to start your exploration of the Fellows program and learn about a career as a diplomat. Just click on the tab labelled Foreign Service Officer (on the right hand side of the page) to get started. Then click on "Become a Foreign Service Officer", and then (at last!) on the Diplomacy Fellows Program. This will take you to the introductory page for the program.

2. **Make Sure Your Meet All Requirements**
   
   This is a rigorous and competitive program, so don't even bother applying unless you meet all their requirements.
   
   For starters, you need to be a US citizen between the ages of 20 and 59. You'll need a clean record, and if you've worked Foreign Service in the past, not have been 'separated' (government-speak for canned!).
   
   You'll also need appropriate experience. To be eligible for the Diplomacy Fellows Program, you pretty much will need to have been a Fellow with other programs, such as an AAAS Diplomacy Fellow, or a Presidential Management Fellow.
   
   There are other avenues for eligibility as well, so be sure to read through the web site thoroughly.

3. **Head to USAJOBS.gov**
   
   At USAJOBS.gov, you'll find the formal announcement and application process for the program.
   
   Use the search function at the site, and search for Diplomacy Fellows (make sure its plural...it's a sensitive search function). Your search will pull up the latest announcement for the program.
   
   Read through ALL the tabs on the announcement -- Overview, Duties, Qualifications & Evaluations, and the rest. If it sounds like a good gig for you, then begin the application process. All the details are available at the 'How to Apply' tab at USAJOBS.gov.

4. Best of luck. A friend of mine is a Foreign Service Officer, just back from Afghanistan, and it is one tough and sometimes dangerous job, but he loves it. Another former neighbor of mine climbed through the ranks of the Foreign Service to become an Ambassador.
   
   Be sure to see More Articles Like This, and Related Articles, for more career suggestions with the government and in the private sector.

[dorigillman]

on 7/12/2009 good article. i know lots of people in the foreign service. i decided it wasn't for me because i wanted to be able to choose which country i would be sent to!