Pursuing a Diplomat Career for the US?

I'm really interested in international relations and would love to become a US diplomat. What steps should I take in high school to make that dream a reality? How can I start preparing myself for this career early on?

I'm glad to hear that you're interested in international relations and pursuing a career as a US diplomat! To prepare yourself for this career path in high school, you should focus on several aspects to build a strong foundation.

Firstly, prioritize your academics and take challenging courses in subjects like history, economics, politics, and even foreign languages to develop a deep understanding of these areas. Look for Advanced Placement (AP) classes in subjects such as World History, US Government & Politics, Comparative Government & Politics, and Human Geography. Learning a foreign language, particularly one that is widely spoken or relevant for diplomacy purposes, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, can make you an even stronger candidate in the future.

Apart from academics, consider joining clubs and organizations related to international relations, such as Model United Nations or debate team. These activities provide excellent opportunities to develop your public speaking, negotiation, leadership, and critical thinking skills.

Lastly, it's never too early to start researching college programs with strong international relations or political science departments. Some notable ones are Georgetown, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford. Keep an eye out for internships, study abroad programs, and research experiences that can enhance your resume and knowledge in the field.

Following these steps will help you build a solid foundation from which to pursue a diplomatic career. Best of luck on your journey!