Several Questions about the Foreign Service

[raptorsxyz]

Hi, question for any FSO's.

1. I have a Poli Sci degree from a school that is very well respected in D.C. and IR . I know they changed the protocol to practice holistic admissions, but can anyone speak as to how much will this degree actually help me in getting into the FS/doing my job/getting promoted?

2. Will a masters degree help with this career? I'd really like to do one, for the sake of becoming better educated as a human. Do FSO's often come back and get their degree mid-career? Will FSO experience give me a leg up in admissions to related graduate programs?

3. How long does it usually take people to get into the foreign service? My plan is to graduate this year, and then spend a year or two in D.C. working for an NGO or some sort of D.C. entity as I work on getting into the FS, and starting tours at around age 25-26. Is this a typical career path?

I know a lot of this information can be found on Google but a lot is also outdated and I'd like to hear from a current FSO or anyone in the know. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

1. It will help a bit.
2. People do go back but it's not easy and you'd need to be tenured first.
3. 2 years to get off the roster plus time for your security clearance. Lots of folks don't pass the first time.

[Anonymous]

Also the plural of FSO is FSOs.

[Anonymous]

Go to your school's career center. They can help and find alums to talk to.

[Anonymous]

Score as high as possible on the test. That is one barrier.

[Anonymous]

you can get your master's paid for while an FSO if you play your cards right

[Anonymous]

actually, you can get PAID to get a master's

[Anonymous]

There's a foreign service reddit that has all the info you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Are you aiming to become a Foreign Service Specialist or Foreign Service Generalist? This is a very important thing to decide, as it will help determine your career path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you aiming to become a Foreign Service Specialist or Foreign Service Generalist? This is a very important thing to decide, as it will help determine your career path.

What's the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you aiming to become a Foreign Service Specialist or Foreign Service Generalist? This is a very important thing to decide, as it will help determine your career path.

What's the difference?

Specialists generally specialize in a technical field such as facilities management, security, medical, or budgeting. Generalists normally select a track or cone such as Economic, Public Diplomacy, Consular, Management, or Political. Generalists usually look down upon the Specialists.

[raptorsxyz]

OP here - I am firmly focused in the Generalist role due to my interest in IR and politics. I'm really interested in any of the Generalist tracks, but I know you generally begin as a Consular Officer regardless. Does it make sense to start thinking about specialization beyond that now, or should I cross that bridge when I come to it? Any other general tips you'd care to share? Thanks for all the info, it is super helpful!

[raptorsxyz]

Anonymous wrote:There's a foreign service reddit that has all the info you are looking for.

OP here - I've already taken a good look at that but thanks for the tip! I will keep reading there as well.

[raptorsxyz]

Anonymous wrote:actually, you can get PAID to get a master's

Specifically how can you get them to pay for your masters? I know there are some well-funded fellowships, but I was under the impression many are for URM, or require a stellar GPA, which I sadly do not possess.

[Anonymous]

I've known plenty of great people that worked for State and never get it, so I wouldn't exactly count on it.