Careers Representing AmericaDate: 6/28/2011 3:42 pm
Rating: 1 Rate [ | ]
How difficult is the selection process for entrants? I am concerned that many applicants are picked from those who were priveledged enough to attend top 10 universities. Is this a legitimate concern? I have also seen in other online forums that a masters degree is becoming the new unwritten rule for applicants.
I have a BS degree Summa Cum Laude in Finance from a State University. I have had a Fortune 500 job internship, and extensive overseas experience along with a high degree of knowledge in Spanish. I will be working towards med-high level proficiency in Korean as well.
Will these other experiences provide me a reasonable chance for being accepted despite not having attended a Ivy league school nor having a masters?
Thanks!
Date: 6/28/2011 6:11 pm
Rating: 1 Rate [ | ]
Hello, Dante,
Thank you for your posting.
In regard to Foreign Service Officer opportunities: Yes, the selection process is very competitive. However, there are no specific educational and/or work experience requirements. While many successful applicants have an advanced degree, many do not. We are interested in individuals who come from a wide range of educational backgrounds and institutions. If you are worldwide available, we encourage you to consider registering for, and taking the Foreign Service Officer Test.
As to Foreign Service Specialist opportunities: There are specific educational and work experience requirements that vary, depending on the speciality. The most qualified applicants are invited to take the Oral Assessment.
Good luck to you!
Date: 6/28/2011 10:36 pm
Rating: 3 Rate [ | ]
It is certainly not necessary to attend an Ivy League university or have a graduate degree to become a Foreign Service Officer. The Foreign Service needs people who can demonstrate the 13 Dimensions that are listed on this website and are used to evaluate candidates, whether those candidates are 22 or 55, attended public or private university, whether they have a graduate degree or not.
I have met FSOs who have attended all kinds of colleges, public and private, well-known and rather obscure, and they all made it through the hiring process. I have met FSOs who started A-100 shortly after graduating with an undergraduate degree and who joined the Foreign Service as a third or fourth career in their 50s.
