Foreign Service Officer

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Work Tasks

• Represent the United States during meetings with other countries
• Support U.S. foreign policy at home and in other countries
• Protect the rights of U.S. citizens who live out of the country
• Deal with political, health, and economic issues and closely watch the political events of other countries
• Work for the U.S. Department of State, Agency for International Development, U.S. Information Agency, Foreign Agricultural and Commercial Service
• Work abroad with U.S. laws, foreign policy, passports, visas, citizenship papers, personnel records, financial reports, and other U.S. and foreign matters

Salary, Size & Growth

• $193,500 average per year ($93.00 per hour)
• A large occupation (273,500 workers in 2010)
• Expected to decline (0.1% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in international affairs, world history, public policy, or a related field
• Skills/Courses: College courses include English, history, government, international relations, geography, management, literature, economics, business, public administration, U.S. politics, political science, languages, social sciences, and international trade.
• Certification/Licensing: Must be US citizens and 21 or older. Must pass a test and receive security and medical clearance.