By Adam Fivenson, MSFS’14
Although they share a name, the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program has no formal connection to the State Department’s Foreign Service. In fact, according to the school’s website, the School of Foreign Service conferred its first graduate degree in 1922, predating the State Department’s adoption of the term “Foreign Service” for its diplomatic corps. Despite the lack of a formal connection, the MSFS program has long been considered a “feeder” program to the State Department’s Foreign Service, and true to form, every year many current MSFS students take the Foreign Service Officer Test in hopes of being among the select few to be admitted to the ranks of the United States’ diplomatic corps.
MSFS students have a variety of reasons for wanting to join the Foreign Service. Christopher Haley (‘14), wants “to positively influence US foreign policy and the Foreign Service seems like the best place for this. I came of age in a time where I perceived the US’s image in the world was generally declining, and if that is in fact the case, I hope to help reverse that trend.”
“I want to join the Foreign Service because I want to be part of what makes diplomacy happen,” added Mike Westendorp (‘14). ”Ultimately I like the idea of participating from the inside, where interactions between nations are actually happening. Plus, I like writing and political reporting.”
As with most aspiring Foreign Service Officers (FSOs), MSFS students have a pretty good idea of what they’d like to do and where they’d like to go. Austin Lewis (‘14) sees himself “connecting Chilean exporters with American wholesalers, or helping Americans stranded in Cambodia,” while Gisele Irola (’13) needed only four words to state her goal: “Buenos Aires. Economic Officer.” She also added “ideally with either an agricultural or energy portfolio” to her succinct goal. Westendorp was equally sure about his objective but more diffuse in his geographic ambition. “I want to work in the political section, in the Eastern Mediterranean somewhere, but I would also like to do tours in Africa, Europe and Asia.”
So how is the MSFS program helping these test takers prepare for a career in diplomacy? “The coursework and workshops allow for practitioners and experts to truly teach us what is going on in the world and how to make, change and develop policies within it,” said Irola.
“I can say the extra-curricular activities have been outstanding. It’s clear there will be countless invaluable opportunities for skill-based learning outside of class, most of which will involve current practitioners of diplomacy,” added Haley.
As with most FSOT-takers, Irola’s first attempt at the Foreign Service Officer Test didn’t result in a Foreign Service appointment for Irola. But instead of being dissuaded from her goal, she’s taken previous disappointment as a learning opportunity: “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in this application process, and at MSFS, is to do your best. Sometimes the cards don’t fall in your favor. It’s a key lesson in the world of diplomacy—you win some and you lose some.”
Check out https://careers.state.gov for more information on a career in the Foreign Service. The test is given at various times throughout the year around the United States and at US embassies around the world.