Career Navigator: Finding the Path that Works for You
Welcome to the most fascinating career in the world.
We will put our smart power to work with smart people like you to renew America's leadership through diplomacy. We will make clear to the world that diplomacy and development are essential to advancing America's national security, furthering America's interests, and representing and exemplifying America's values around the world.
We begin our cooperative engagement here in Washington, D.C. where we hire Foreign Service, Civil Service and Student employees to work at our offices in the U.S. and over 265 locations worldwide.
Explore our site to learn how you can contribute to this new American moment. Click on Career Navigator to help you determine which career path is right for you. View videos of our employees who share their experiences. Sign up to receive email updates. Or, if you don't know where to start, use the drop down menu below.
Video Transcript: (Photo of Richard, Foreign Service Officer, Management Career Track)
"What appealed to me most about the foreign service was the ability to help people. I currently work in the Office of the Secretary of State. We're the face of America to the world. We value differences, we value different cultures. You can't help but feel pride in what you do."
Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) help formulate and implement the foreign policy of the United States. An essential part of the frontline personnel at all U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions, they will be found at more than 265 locations worldwide as well as in Washington, D.C.
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Video Transcript: (Photo of Catherine, Foreign Service Specialist, Financial Management Officer.)
"It's a sense of adventure, a sense of pride. I'm a CPA, I have a Master's in Accounting, and I had friends who joined big accounting firms. And I look at what I've done, I've lived all around the world. I have a richer experience of life. "
Foreign Service Specialists provide professional expertise in support of foreign policy at one of more than 265 posts worldwide or in Washington, D.C. Specialists are an integral part of a team dedicated to representing America's interests in other countries.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A FOREIGN SERVICE SPECIALIST CAREER
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Video Transcript: (Photo of April, Civil Service, HR Specialist)
"The State Department just gives you so many career opportunities. I see our mission as bringing peace and bringing the world together. I get to be involved with everything that is going on behind the scenes. And that's what gives you a sense of fulfillment."
Student Programs enable students to obtain job experience in a foreign affairs environment. Some of our students work in Washington, D.C., while others have the opportunity to work at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
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Video Transcript: (Photo of Sally, Civil Service, Foreign Affairs Officer.)
"We really stand for life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and my job is to fight Trafficking of Persons world wide. In five years in trafficking we have seen truly over a hundred countries improve their laws. I don't think there is any other place I could do that. I love my job!"
Civil Service employees support the foreign policy mission from offices in Washington, D.C. and across the nation. Join us in helping to shape a freer, more secure and prosperous world as we formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy. There are many exciting possibilities!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A CIVIL SERVICE CAREER
CHOOSE A CAREER PATH
MEET OUR PEOPLE
Links to other pages of the site
Find out more about the Management Career Track.
View opportunities and information.
View all currently open vacancies and positions.
Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test.
Popup of Secretary of State Clinton on the homepage, with 3 different speeches
Hello. I'm Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Welcome to careers – dot – state – dot – gov.
Today we find ourselves at a unique historical moment, one that promises great challenge, as well as great opportunity, for our country.
To meet the tests of the 21st century, America must be a global leader and a positive force for progress worldwide.
The Department of State will play a vital role in ushering in a new era of American diplomacy by advancing a foreign policy that is both smart and sound, pragmatic and principled.
That's where you come in. We need your talent, experience, and expertise to fully convey the richness of our democracy and the power of our timeless ideals as we work with other nations to solve the world's most urgent problems.
I hope you'll consider joining our Foreign Service, Civil Service, or student-focused programs. Putting your energy and knowledge to work at the State Department will help safeguard America's security, support our nation's interests, and expand peace and prosperity around the globe.
The time is now. Do your part to serve America and better our world. Explore careers-dot-state-dot-gov today.
Welcome to careers – dot – state – dot – gov. I'm Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and I'd like to thank you for considering a career with the U.S. Department of State.
As our world changes rapidly around us, America must take the lead in confronting the pressing global challenges. And we will need dedicated, energetic, and skilled people to help us succeed.
Whether you are interested in serving as a diplomat or an engineer, a consular official overseas or a resource manager at home, you can be part of a team of dedicated employees whose diverse backgrounds, ideas, and experiences will help renew America's global leadership and put us and our world on a path to peace and prosperity.
Thank you for exploring our Foreign Service, Civil Service, and student-focused programs and for considering a career in public service at the Department of State. By serving your country, you truly can make a difference.
Hello. I'm Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Welcome to careers – dot – state – dot – gov.
I have some exciting news. Congress recently approved funding for the State Department that will allow to us to hire over 1,000 new employees during the next few years. So now, we're stepping up our recruitment efforts. We're looking for smart people from diverse backgrounds who can help us perform our key mission here at the State Department—to strengthen our relationships with other nations and work toward peace and prosperity for all people, by using what we call “smart power,” the full range of diplomatic tools at our disposal.
With our new employees, we will be able to fill some crucial shortages. For example, we will be able to train more people in the critical languages that we need to communicate with the people of China, India, Iraq, and key geographic regions around the world, to re-energize our partnerships with our allies and advance our common goals.
Our nation is facing many global challenges. To meet those challenges, the State Department must reflect the full strength of America's talent. With a diverse team of experienced professionals, we will meet every challenge, enhance our security, advance our interests, and honor our values.
On behalf of everyone at the State Department, let me say that we appreciate the confidence that Congress has shown in the work that we do every day. We are excited to expand and strengthen our workforce in the coming months. And so, we encourage qualified Americans to consider serving their country here at the U.S. Department of State.
Please explore careers-dot-state-gov to find out where you might fit in. Thank you.