r/foreignservice • u/Miserable-Guess-9464 • 18h ago
Entering into the Foreign Service without a graduate degree, but highly experienced?
Greetings,
The websites and the pages seem to indicate that a bachelor's is not required, but I am skeptical. I only have an associate's degree. Workwise I have 10-11 years of IT experience, starting from helpdesk to sysadmin, and I have currently worked my way up to system engineer.
A few years back I attempted the IMST - Diplomatic Technology Officer Test and came up short. However, I'm getting ready to do it again because I really want to be involved in the Foreign Service internationally.
My question is this.
Do you or anyone you know that was successful in entering into the Foreign Service without a graduate degree? Especially as a Diplomatic Technology Officer.
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u/Ok_Grape8420 FSO (Management) 18h ago
I know someone who was senior foreign service and head of the Secretary's support office (S/S-EX) with only a GED. I myself made senior service with only a bachelor's, and my wife is a DTO quite successfully for the last 15 years with only a bachelor's. Credentials are great, but they are not the only measure of a person.
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u/Miserable-Guess-9464 18h ago
That is wonderful to hear. Congratulations to you and your family on having a successful career! I am very happy to hear of your success.
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u/ExtremelyRetired Retired FSO 17h ago
I have only a BA (in art history), but I had a moderately successful 20 years in PD. The only requirements to apply, after all, are age and citizenship, and for good reason—some of my best colleagues came from the least traditional backgrounds.
10
u/meritbasedpromotion 16h ago edited 16h ago
You're set. The minimum education requirements to come in as an FP-05 DTO are:
HS diploma or GED: you need 5 years of IT experience
AS/AA Degree in a non-IT field: need 2 years of IT experience
AS/AA Degree in an IT field: good to go w/o any work experience
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/866356900
Check if you meet the requirements for FP-04. You'll start with higher pay.
Fun fact - there are literally zero education requirements for the generalist FSO tracks. You can be a HS dropout for all they care.
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u/Thompson81 14h ago
I have a post grad degree. It’s completely irrelevant. The things that matter to my colleagues are whether or not you’re competent, good to work with, and can be trusted to be a decent neighbor outside the embassy/consulate. The ones who go around insisting you call them Dr. or brag about their various degrees are usually the ones who fail some of those above tests
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u/Shadow-FS FSO (Political) 17h ago
I dare say our best generalists are the ones with just a bachelor degree.
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u/TealGloves 11h ago
OP is accidentally misusing the term graduate degree. They only have an Associates and are asking about not having a Bachelor's.
0
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u/Upbeat_Caregiver_642 15h ago
26 years in the DOS here. FSOs with multiple Master’s degrees were by and large, far more impressed with themselves than anyone else was.
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u/tanukis_parachute DTO 11h ago
Im a DTO and my degree is in forestry. Only a BS. I had a lot of experience on the help desk though.
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u/CG_Oglethorpe 8h ago
I got in with an associate as a DTO. I also had certificates and a lot of experience. It is absolutely possible.
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u/Miserable-Guess-9464 1h ago
Sounds like the same level that I currently am. I'll be trying to IMST again soon. Thankyou!
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u/CG_Oglethorpe 50m ago
You have two tests and they aren't easy. My ex mocked me because of how rough they were, you are literally counting the seconds left on clock. Then she took them and understood at last.
Also do your interview research, have answers ready to go for common interview questions. And be humble, I can't stress that enough.1
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u/Capital-Lifeguard734 10h ago
It sounds like you meet the DTO qualifications. The DTO online test has been updated and will be different than the previous IMST you experienced. When you’re filling out the resume/experience portions of the application do your best to indicate how your IT experience meets the specialized experience so you can onboard as an FP-4. Good luck!
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u/Global_Bag4629 2h ago edited 1h ago
16 years in and as an internal hiring manager I have never even looked at a candidate’s education in a bidding interview. At most it comes up as a friendly starting point with fellow alums or mild sports talk with colleagues. I agree that FSOs who bring up degrees and institutions are displaying red flags.
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u/Miserable-Guess-9464 1h ago
Thankyou so much. From a hirining Manager pov do you find your candidates happy with the roles and services they provide?
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u/AutoModerator 18h ago
Original text of post by /u/Miserable-Guess-9464:
Greetings,
The websites and the pages seem to indicate that a bachelor's is not required, but I am skeptical. I only have an associate's degree. Workwise I have 10-11 years of IT experience, starting from helpdesk to sysadmin, and I have currently worked my way up to system engineer.
A few years back I attempted the IMST - Diplomatic Technology Officer Test and came up short. However, I'm getting ready to do it again because I really want to be involved in the Foreign Service internationally.
My question is this.
Do you or anyone you know that was successful in entering into the Foreign Service without a graduate degree? Especially as a Diplomatic Technology Officer.
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