<p>A UN Ambassador and head of the UNRCH in Belarus is a good friend of my world history teacher and he came in to our class. H e said that they way to get into a big job at the UN is not through the door because everyone else is doing that. You must do something like amazing. He wanted to work with war time refugess so he volunteered and actually paid to be in the mess in Kosvo..literlaly helping people on the ground as theyw ere shot..and working in various other war zones..like in the heat of the fire ok...they saw he cared and that he knew 6 languages and had a ph.d and was in. He went to tufts uni for their international relations degree and has lived alll over the world since he was a child.
I am set on being some kind of diplomat and not only am I your comeptition but so are countless others...the international relations field is the most competative today and we must set ourselves a part. I have connections with people all around the world--exchange students from my school..and will be visiting my friend who was one in denmakr this summer. I also want to work towards obtaining a fulbright. There are so many things you can do to work toward this but remember no matter what you do...there are people out there that are going above and beyond.</p>
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[quote]
The only languages that I would NOT take are Italian and German. They have a limited use in places outside of their respective countries.
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Take Italian if you want to, it's a great language. As for German, how can it have limited use as the second most known language in the EU, and the third most taught language worldwide?</p>
<p>Obviously you haven't done much traveling in Europe (esp. Central/Eastern regions). Chances are if someone doesn't speak English they will speak German. Also, what about Austria? Switzerland? Northern Italy? Luxembourg? German definitely has its uses.</p>
<p>Keenya wow thats crazy he did all of that. I didnt know that many people on here would be interested in becoming a diplomat, but I disagree with saying it's the most competitive field. doctors? for example.
I wouldn't really say getting a Fulbright is going above and beyond either, but good luck anyways.
My plan basically is to use the military to break into that field, becuase it involves so much traveling and interacting with different people and cultures. like LFWB dad was talking about. does anyone know anyone who has taken this route??</p>
<p>well it is one of the most competative, excuse me. It is becoming more and more popular.
I didnt say getting a fulbright is going above and beyond but i do want to receive one...Im sure a majority of big players in the international relations field can say they obtained one. My world history teacher included.
I guess the military would prepare you, but its not my thing lol I dont know what route to take exactly so its gonna be a lot of searchin</p>
<p>lol calm down g.... well Fulbright is def a good goal i just meant its not going to set u apart..... as u said most big players were a scholar.
I think the military, depending on the field, is one of the best if not the best way to get into the field.... i mean it IS the real thing ur doing diplomacy work right out of college... ok true ur in danger sometimes but its worth it. and state dept is just as dangerous. and if ur an officer ur doing work equal to upper level officials.
well someone was talking about being a UN diplomat, and basically the only other routs is to obtain a bunch of advanced degree and work from the grass roots up.
what other avenues are there really?</p>
<p>You're going to need a masters at least. </p>
<p>And if you want to work in any kind of civil service, banish any thoughts you have ever entertained of being wealthy. That apartment Nicole Kidman lives in. . . not gonna happen unless you marry rich :-p
It's not all that romantic either. Governmental and supranational agencies are all about paperwork. No matter how high-up you go the paperwork will never end. You will be inundated in it. It will haunt your nightmares. Your fingers will be raw and calloused, battlescars from the papercuts you will suffer.</p>
<p>Learn to kiss-butt too. It's an important life skill.</p>
<p>I think that most people high in the diplomatic community are making around a GS-10 or 11 or so. </p>
<p>That's not going to buy you that 7-Series you always wanted.</p>
<p>Yeah, my sister wants to become an ambassador. And they don't get paid alot. Around 40,000-50,000. It's certainly is more than enough to live on but you'd think they'd get more.
I used to think all ambassadors got a lovely house with plenty of servants like in that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie "Passport to Paris."</p>
<p>Most in the US Foreign service have graduate degrees in an international-related field. So if you get a good BA degree from a decent and have languages, THEN you go to excellent IR Masters Program. Then Foreign Service (unless you get lucky with a BA). Some earn the degrees before entering FS, some while they are low level specialists, but virtually ALL have graduate degree(s).</p>
<p>"Take Italian if you want to, it's a great language. As for German, how can it have limited use as the second most known language in the EU, and the third most taught language worldwide?"</p>
<p>While this is true, I seem to recall hearing that Europe is one of the MOST competitive places for a diplomatic posting/ the US needs MANY more people in locations with larger missions. How many full-time, low level diplomats do they need in Luxembourg or Austria? </p>
<p>When you are in a large applicant pool of people with similar qualifications, you don't get a job by speaking German and only German. EU documents are also printed in French and English. Most high-level EU diplomats probably speak English. </p>
<p>I would be interested to know the percentages of English speakers throughout the European countries.</p>
<p>English is spoken by around half of Europeans. In the Northern European countries, it's around 3/4 of people.</p>
<p>What other similar career choices are there for political science majors? I am planning to do my undergraduate degree in Spain and Masters in the USA where I hope to work in the future.</p>
<p>Foreign service, working at the embassies and consulates in tons of capacities, and the State Dept. in general are a few that come to mind.</p>
<p>Besides going into politics/diplomacy, you can be a journalist, work in NGOs, humanitarian work in general, speechwriting, thinktanks, etc.</p>
<p>i'm going back to the original part of this thread...American University boasts the most comprehensive undergrad IR program in the world, in the School of International Service. i'm less familiar with their grad school.</p>
<p>Happycollegemom: Just because your kid goes to AU does not mean it is the best IR program in the country. Sure, ti is good, but there are several schools (Tufts, JHU, Gtown, Princeton, Harvard, Claremont McKenna, ETC) that top it.</p>
<p>of course they're all good! all i'm doing is reporting some facts for those who are interested. that is a quote, not meant to start an argument. know what i think, most good schools are not seriously different from others. maybe just location and cost. and it makes sense to me and many others that any program in DC is the best fit for IR. why are some students sooo defensive?</p>
<p>For undergrad, I'd say that AU is certainly in the top five along with GTown and Tufts. Number one? I'm not sure, but I think a case could be made.</p>
<p>AU barely even has a language requirement, hardly 'comprehensive'.</p>
<p>I don't know if anyone brought this up, but if you want to work in US government/politics, it's a good idea to actually send-in the card (a.k.a. register) for the Selective Service System, because they DO check that and keep that in mind (no, they aren't going to arrest you or anything-- just if you want the job).</p>