Before learning about a career in diplomacy, first, we have to comprehend what diplomacy and what a diplomat is! The global definition of diplomacy is “conduct of international relations by negotiation and dialogue or other means to promote serene relations among states.” In contrast, a diplomat is an individual who works with government authorities of a foreign country, representing his country in a foreign state. A career in diplomacy is all about engaging in foreign policies to promote peace, cooperation, trade, and commerce among nations.
A career in diplomacy after 12th is not possible as a person who wishes to join as a diplomat in India has to write an exam called Indian Foreign Service Exam (IFS) (from now on referred to as “IFS”) whose minimum education qualification is graduation from any recognized university. But if you are serious and want to become a diplomat, start your preparation immediately after class 12th with your graduation. It will be easy for you to have a career in diplomacy after graduation as you’ll understand diplomacy and international relations better.
What are the Skills Required to Become a Successful Diplomat?
A career in diplomacy in India and abroad is not easy; it is full of challenges at each step. To tackle these challenges, you must possess a few essential skills such as:
1. Diplomatic Acumen
It is one of the most crucial skills that one should possess to have a career in diplomacy. Diplomatic acumen in your working environment can affect your vocational achievements. Diplomatic sense includes many skills, such as negotiation skills that empower a diplomat to oversee professional connections and foreign relations. Most, importantly a decent diplomat is the one who partakes in his job and work. He ought to have a distinct fascination with his work concerning diplomacy. You must have interest in diplomacy before entering into this field.
2. Leadership and Negotiation Skills
The second most important skill is leadership. Good leaders can convey well, inspire their group, handle representative obligations, pay attention to input, and have the adaptability to tackle issues in a consistently evolving work environment. This is what is required from a diplomat. Negotiation is a crucial job of a diplomat. You should know how to bargain among various governments.
3. Good Interpersonal Skills
How you talk with others, pay attention to others’ thoughts, and cooperate with your colleagues is vital to fostering your strategy in the work environment and adapting to the different work environments. As a diplomat, you have to work in various high commissions and embassies.
4. Critical Thinking and Decision Making Abilities
Critical thinking is like conflict resolution and demands persistence and expectation to assess all parts of an issue and figure out how to make an answer that helps all the concerned persons. You will have to face many situations that will demand a quick decision from your end in your Career In Diplomacy.
5. Excellent Writing and Communication Skills
Your English speaking and writing skill is paramount in the field of diplomacy. As English is a globally accepted language, it is highly recommended to know any foreign language. You can do any foreign language course to have the edge over others.
6. Good Understanding of International Affairs
Diplomacy is a subset of global relations that is usually centered around the most common way of directing dealings between the government of various countries or, sometimes, private companies from various nations. Diplomacy is quite different from international relations. You can check any guide to a career in international relations to know more about it.
7. Ability to Adjust to Different Cultures
As a diplomat or IFS officer, you have to stay in different countries for a long time. It will be helpful if you can easily adjust to new people and their cultures. It is rightly said that the beauty of the world lies in its people’s diversity, so a solid understanding of different cultures will pave the way for your successful career in diplomacy.
Professional Life of Diplomats and Their Duties
After clearing the IFS exam, you will be posted as a diplomat in various high commissions and embassies. You will be posted in some foreign country as a diplomat or in your home country as per the decision of the Ministry of External Affairs. The following will be your responsibilities as a diplomat:
- Manage two-sided political and financial issues explicit to a region.
- They are liable for overseeing worldwide strategic conventions when foreign dignities visit foreign countries.
- Oversee exercises of multilateral and territorial organizations.
- Handle convention issues, associations with the diaspora, press, exposure, and so on.
- Represent his country in United Nations and various other international organizations.
- Give consular facilities to non-inhabitant people and foreigners living in the country.
- The ministries shall assign any additional work from time to time.
The working life of a diplomat is full of adventures, meeting with foreign counterparts, and handling foreign dealings of the government. It is one of the most demanded jobs among government sectors.
Conclusion
A career in diplomacy or foreign-policy-related job is in this respect very much like a political career. A diplomacy career is undoubtedly a good option for those interested in diplomacy and foreign affairs.
Many universities offer special courses on diplomacy, and you can do those courses to understand a career in diplomacy more thoroughly. Henceforth, you need to concentrate on all the obligations and capacity of a diplomat as you will address your country.
To this end, the diplomat position requires high knowledge and keenness to hold its office. You can apply for Career Counselling Online at Mindler to learn about Global Studies And Relevant Career Pathways.
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