I’m wondering about what high school courses would be beneficial, and also what college courses. Also, what universities would be the best to study at to pursue the career of a diplomat?
Of course you should plan to attend an "Ivy League" school, those with the highest reputations, like Harvard and Yale. Many presidents have started out there, you probably know that.
But, diplomats, especially embassadors do not always get their jobs due to having a great education.
Most have been "political hacks", and high spenders, especially supporting winning politicians for decades.
The diplomatic corps are full of political appointments, because there is no "civil service" test required for the highest positions, only political patronage. (politics)
High school courses required would be social studies, especially political science, English, creative writing, World History, and a foreign language. (I’d suggest either Spanish or Chinese).
#1 by Dave W on July 30th, 2009
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Of course you should plan to attend an "Ivy League" school, those with the highest reputations, like Harvard and Yale. Many presidents have started out there, you probably know that.
But, diplomats, especially embassadors do not always get their jobs due to having a great education.
Most have been "political hacks", and high spenders, especially supporting winning politicians for decades.
The diplomatic corps are full of political appointments, because there is no "civil service" test required for the highest positions, only political patronage. (politics)
High school courses required would be social studies, especially political science, English, creative writing, World History, and a foreign language. (I’d suggest either Spanish or Chinese).
References :
#2 by Prospero Reincarnate on July 31st, 2009
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There are a couple of Universities that are really well known and put out a lot of Diplomats. Princeton’s "Woodrow Wilson" school, and Georgetown University are two excellent examples. These are generally graduate schools, so you’ll need to earn a Master’s degree, often in Public Policy. Your Bachelor’s though can be from any number of colleges, and is usually International Studies, Communications, Business, Liberal Studies, Philosophy or Political Science. Make sure, during your undergraduate studies you do at least one internship under a diplomat, and work hard during it. The connections you make will often be the job you are offered.
References :
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