Come talk with Diplomat in Residence Sara Veldhuizen Stealy to learn more about meaningful public service careers and great benefits with the U.S. Department of State!
The U.S. Department of State advances the president’s foreign policy and represents the American people to the world. To do so, they hire Americans from all backgrounds and skill sets to work domestically and at 275+ embassies and consulates around the world. Foreign Service officers advance policy in one of five functional areas: consular, economic, management, political and public diplomacy. Foreign Service specialists come in with specialized skills and provide important administrative, construction/maintenance, technical, educational, health care and security/law enforcement services. Our civil service colleagues drive diplomacy from Washington, D.C., and other U.S. locations. Paid student internships give university and graduate students insight into our work, while fellowships provide funding for your education and employment upon graduation.
Career opportunities with the U.S. Department of State domestically or overseas
- Foreign Service officers advance U.S. foreign policy overseas in one of five functional areas: consular, economic, management, political or public diplomacy.
- Foreign Service specialists come in with specialized skills and provide important administrative, construction/maintenance, technical, educational, health care and security/law enforcement services at any of our more than 270 posts overseas, in Washington, D.C., or elsewhere in the United States.
- Civil Service professionals drive diplomatic principles and initiatives worldwide through conscientious work from their location in the United States.
U.S. Department of State programs of particular interest to students, currently open or opening soon
- Payne Fellowship (USAID): up to $104,000 over two years for a master’s degree in international development or another area of relevance to the work of the USAID, includes two internships, five-year commitment as a USAID Foreign Service officer, deadline Nov. 4.
- Critical Languages Scholarship Program: 8-10 weeks of intensive summer language study overseas, non-competitive eligibility status for up to three years, deadline Nov. 15.
- New Clarke Diplomatic Security Fellowship: up to $84,000 over two years for a master’s degree, includes two internships, five-year commitment as a DS special agent, deadline Nov. 30.
- Student Internship Program: Our student internships are now paid! Internships domestically and overseas, summer 2023 applications will open soon.
- Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship: up to $87,000 over two years for undergrad (jr-sr) or master’s degree in an IT-related field, two internships, five-year commitment as an information management specialist, deadline Feb. 3, 2023.
For Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish speakers:
- Consular Fellows Program: a five-year limited non-career appointment working in the consular section of a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Note: All careers and programs require U.S. citizenship.