Foreign Service Careers

To learn more about careers in the Foreign Service, visit the U.S. Department of State Careers website.

The Thomas R. Pickering
Foreign Affairs Fellowship

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Statement from Ambassador James Gadsden (ret'd): In a time of unrest in the Mideast, we need Pickering Fellows as committed foreign affairs officers more than ever. Read more...

About the Foreign Service

What is the Foreign Service?

It is a corps of working professionals who support the President of the United States and the Secretary of State in pursuit of the goals and objectives of American foreign policy. Foreign Service officers are "front-line" personnel who can be sent anywhere in the world, at any time, in service to the diplomatic needs of the United States. A career in the Foreign Service requires unusual commitment, uncommon motivation, and the ability to endure hardship with continuance of dedication to advance and defend U.S. interests.

What do Foreign Service officers do?

They staff U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions worldwide and also serve in Washington, D.C. Their responsibilities include policy analysis, formulation, and execution; management of resources; the provision of services to Americans in need; implementation of U.S. immigration and nationality law; trade promotion and business facilitation; public diplomacy; and representation of U.S. interests.

What qualities do Foreign Service officers need?

Success in the Foreign Service requires the capacity to accept and follow directives regardless of personal preferences and a very strong command of the English language in both written and oral communications.

For more information on careers in the Foreign Service, visit http://www.careers.state.gov/.