How to Prepare for a Career as an Ambassador

Being an ambassador can seem like an exciting career for many people, especially people who enjoy cultural diversity and traveling. Ambassadors are in charge of a variety of duties, such as education other countries about the countries that they represent while maintaining a positive representation of their countries, fostering domestic relations and serving as advisories to other countries. However, becoming an ambassador is not a career that happens overnight. Positions as ambassadors are usually extremely competitive, as current ambassadors like UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba would testify. There are steps that individuals can take to increase their chances of becoming an ambassador for their countries, though.

Learn a Foreign Language

Almost all ambassadors are bilingual. They know at least one other language. Ambassadors oftentimes have to be stationed in foreign countries that don’t speak their native languages, so knowing how to speak the native languages in those lands is extremely beneficial for communication. Ambassadors are supposed to help develop domestic relations, and they can’t do that without being able to properly communicate with other countries. Ambassadors should be fluent enough to hold intellectual and political conversations with the other speakers of the language without stumbling.

Get a Degree in Foreign Relations

Getting a degree in foreign relations can also help pave the way to gleaning a position as an ambassador. Foreign relations degrees involve much history and political science courses that give students knowledge of world politics. Individuals might also want to take specialized classes about the history of the areas they want to be ambassadors of. While in undergraduate school, apply for an undergraduate fellowship with the country’s council of ambassadors. Upon gaining a graduate degree in foreign relations, individuals can then apply for internships with their ambassadors councils.

Working to the Top

After gaining a position on an ambassador council, generally individuals have to work their way up to becoming an ambassador through years of dedicated and professional service. Most likely, upon acceptance to an ambassador’s council, individuals will be assigned small jobs involving foreign relations at embassies for their countries. They might be promoted to other foreign relations positions over time. They can expect to spend much time overseas assisting other embassies or working their way up the ladder aiding other ambassadors with their duties. After being proven worthy of the position, then individuals might be offered the title of becoming a distinguished ambassador for their countries.

Positions with the State

Alternatively, individuals can also apply for positions with their state departments and work their way up from there. Entry level positions as foreign services officers can begin the journey towards become an ambassador. Becoming active in political parties and persistently asking for an ambassadorship can also help individuals get theirs names on the list of consideration for becoming an ambassador.

Ambassador jobs can be extremely competitive, and individuals shouldn’t expect to gain them simply from work alone. Rather, they have to show why they deserve the position over other individuals and take measures to stand out among the competition. Without recognition, they won’t be considered for such highly desired positions. There are also various political factors involved in obtaining a position as an ambassador that individuals might need to consider as well. People willing to get ruthless and who have competitive spirits are most suited to fighting for such coveted titles.