For questions related to the Lateral Entry Pilot Program, please see more details here: Lateral Entry Pilot Program

  Over the course of a Foreign Service career, an FSO will develop regional or substantive specialties, while at the same time developing broad experience in a number of different skill sets. In order to compete eventually for promotion into the Senior Foreign Service, FSOs are expected to serve in a mix of completed domestic and overseas assignments with demonstrated regional and substantive expertise, including service in two separate bureaus after tenure. 

The tenuring process for FSOs is not based on a candidate’s career track. The sole criterion for a positive tenuring decision will be the candidate’s demonstrated potential, assuming normal growth and career development, to serve effectively as a Foreign Service Officer over a normal career span. 
 

You can learn about the kinds of work each of the five FSO career tracks perform here: FSO Career Tracks

At each stage in your career, there are many opportunities for being mentored. There are mentoring processes. You can locate the Diplomat in Residence who is nearest you and contact that person by phone or e-mail. They will be happy to discuss your questions with you. Once you join an orientation class you will have a formal Career Counselor as well as an assigned mentor from a group of volunteer mentors. You’ll get lots of advice and guidance throughout your career.

Candidates to join the Department of State as Foreign Service Officers/Generalists are required to choose one of five career tracks (Consular, Economic, Management, Political, or Public Diplomacy) when they register for the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT). The Department collects this career track information for workforce planning purposes, so as to accurately assess a candidate’s background and qualifications throughout the selection process. Candidates are urged to research and consider carefully the options before they choose.   
While all FSOs are known as “generalists”, the choice of a functional specialization will determine what type of work you will do for the majority of your career. You can get more details about each career track by going to the Officer Career Track page. We know that this can be a tough decision, so we’ve developed a questionnaire to help you match your interests to the career track that may be right for you.