Careers Representing AmericaU.S. Department of State employees, with their skills, character and commitment to public service, are the backbone of America’s diplomacy. They represent the American people, advocate U.S. interests to the rest of the world and are America’s first line of defense in a complex and often dangerous world.
Browse employee stories below and learn about their professional and personal journeys while working with the Department of State. Click on a thumbnail of interest for more information.
"With the earthquake in Haiti, the embassy there was one of the few buildings that was basically untouched. We had a structurally sound building and that was a big success. That was a prime example of why the U.S. embassy is there, to help the host country rebuild, and they're still serving that function."
"I’ve got a passion for effective public administration. I think that one thing that really needs to be focused on in the Department and all across the public sector is making sure that all of our assets are maintained effectively and efficiently"
"It's a sense of adventure, and the sense of obligation and pride for the country that accepted my parents. I always thought I would join the Foreign Service, do it for a couple of years, and then move on. And after a couple of years, it was infectious. I didn't want to leave."
“Every post has added to my worldview of the rich texture of our humanity. I have been enriched by the genuine smiles of the very poor and lilt of laughter from the elderly. My heart has been broken by the poverty that the world still allows for some of its citizens, yet heartened by its outreach to try and fix these everlasting problems.”
Think of it as a small business, you know, where you’re responsible for all the telecommunications, the computer systems, the radio systems, the telephone systems. So you’re that person that everybody comes to when they need, you know, to find out what -- ‘How come I can’t get on the internet?’ or ‘How come I can’t -- my phone is not working.
The transition for me from the United States Navy to the Department of State, which – was a natural one. I always serve my country, and I continue to want to serve my country. The U.S. Navy taught me leadership and management skills; the U.S. Department of State has taught me customer service skills and a greater sensitivity to others’ needs.
I decided to go the Information Management Specialist route because I have an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering and then I got a master’s in International Studies. So put the two together, that was the perfect match for a kind of career I was looking for.
"We saw people with purple thumbs, where they had dipped their thumbs in the ink and everywhere we went, people were just so happy — so pleased and so proud of themselves. And for me, since I had been there almost a year and working almost every day towards this very thing, it was just overwhelming."
“You get exposed to very unique experiences and very unique situations. All the psychiatric skills that I’ve learned over the years, you have an opportunity to apply that directly in many different ways, often unexpected ways.”
"This is a very educational and challenging experience for me. It definitely gets me out of my comfort zone as well as gives me the opportunity to serve my country. I don't have to worry about staying in a cube 24/7. There’s always something exciting going on."
"This is a lifestyle, it's not a job where you're going to put a plant in your cubicle corner and watch it grow into a tree in 20 years. You move around, you're expected to adapt well, meet new people, learn about new cultures and also perform at a high level."
“I believe in what we're doing overseas, promoting democracy and this is my contribution in the manner I can do it. Service is something I think everyone should do.”
Want to watch more employee videos? Go to our Employee Experiences page for more Officer, Specialist, and Civil Service videos.
