EP4 A Suitcase of Experiences: A Chat with a U.S. Diplomat

Enjoy a spirited conversation with Diplomat Mignon Houston, a Foreign Service Officer with over 15 years’ public service experience with the U.S. Department of State. At the time of this recording, her assignment brought her back to the U.S. to serve as Diplomat in Residence to introduce young people to the life-changing opportunities available within foreign service careers. She breaks it down in plain English to define the role, the training, the pathways, and considerations for involvement. Did you know that a 4-year degree isn’t mandatory for applicants? Listen in to learn more!


1. FOREIGN SERVICE CAREERS
-Visit https://careers.state.gov to browse Department of State career options and more.


-Here’s an overview about family life abroad as a U.S. Diplomat https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/family-life/


-Use this map to connect with your local Diplomat in Residence and learn more about career opportunities within the U.S. Department of State, fellowships and internships: https://careers.state.gov/about/connect-with-a-diplomat/


2. INTERNSHIPS
-Virtual Student Federal Service internship opportunities are available at https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/virtual-student-federal-service/


-Learn about the “Pathways Internship Program” with paid internship opportunities across all federal agencies, available to current students in high school, college, trade school, or other qualifying institutions here https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/pathways-programs/pathways-internship-programs/ and here https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/


-Learn about unpaid Student Volunteer opportunities with federal agencies, available to current students in high school, college, trade school, or other qualifying institutions here: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/volunteers/



3. FELLOWSHIPS
-Study up on the U.S. Department of State’s “flagship programs for attracting diverse, top talent into the Foreign Service to make it more inclusive and representative of our nation’s richness and diversity.” https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/foreign-service-fellowships/thomas-r-pickering-foreign-affairs-graduate-fellowship-program/


Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship: https://pickeringfellowship.org


Charles B. Rangel Fellowship: https://rangelprogram.org



4. UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS (GENERALISTS) AND SPECIALISTS
-As noted by The Princeton Review, “The Foreign Service represents the United States around the world. Members interact with local governments as emissaries of the United States, staff United States embassies and consulates, and provide resources for Americans traveling abroad. Divided into two clear lines of Foreign Service specialist and Foreign Service officer, applicants are afforded the opportunity to select a path best suited to their interests and talents. While Foreign Service specialists assume posts that are profession-specific such as Information Management specialists and Medical specialists, Foreign Service officers are regarded as generalists who begin by selecting one of five ‘career tracks’—Economic, Public Diplomacy, Consular, Management or Political—but may be called upon to serve on any track within the duration of their employment.”


To learn about Foreign Service Officers, explore: https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/officer/fso-career-tracks/


To learn about Foreign Service Specialists, explore: https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/specialist/