Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) Conference 2023
Learn More About Department Resources and Opportunities
Opportunities
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a fellowship funded by the German Bundestag and the U.S. Department of State. It annually provides 75 American and 75 German young professionals between the ages of 18½ and 24 the opportunity to spend one year in each other’s countries studying, interning, and living with hosts through a cultural immersion program.
CBYX is open to candidates in all career fields and does not require prior German language skill.
Website: exchanges.state.gov/cbyx
Email: cbyx@culturalvistas.org
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange: Host a German on Your Campus
Show your college campus to the world through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals. This fellowship program gives 75 German participants the opportunity to spend one year studying, working, and experiencing everyday life in communities across the United States.
Career fields represented on the program are extremely diverse, ranging from small business and banking to many technical and vocational fields such as agriculture, carpentry, and culinary arts. CBYX is an excellent way to increase international involvement on your campus.
Website: https://culturalvistas.org/for-prospective-hosts/host-information-cbyx/
Email: cbyx@culturalvistas.org
Colin Powell Leadership Program and Pathways Programs
The Bureau of Global Talent Management’s Academic Programs Branch is responsible for administering the Pathways Internship, Recent Graduates, Presidential Management Fellows and Colin Powell Leadership programs, which provide participants with paid opportunities to explore federal careers.
Websites: https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/pathways-programs/ and
https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/civil-service-fellowships/colin-powell-leadership-program/
Email: pathways@state.gov
Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship
The Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship attracts outstanding students and professionals who reflect the diversity of America and are interested in pursuing IT careers that apply technology skills to the business of diplomacy. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, this two-year fellowship program for undergraduate and graduate students provides a path to a career in the Foreign Service by providing academic funding for an IT-related degree, internships, professional development and mentorship — culminating in an appointment in the Foreign Service as an information management specialist (IMS).
Website: https://www.faitfellowship.org/
Email: ITFellows@state.gov
High School Study-Abroad Scholarships
The U.S. Department of State offers merit-based scholarships for American high school students to study abroad, from three weeks to an academic year. Students live with host families, engage with local schools, and gain skills to be competitive in the global workforce. Previous language study is not required for most programs. Get to know another culture first-hand and form lasting friendships with your host family and community!
Website: https://exchanges.state.gov/highschool
Email: youthprograms@state.gov
Host an International High School Exchange Student
Bring the world into your home, school, and community by hosting a high school exchange student from overseas. You’ll share your American experience and form lifelong bonds with a student from one of 60 countries.
These extraordinary young people receive highly competitive scholarships from the U.S. Department of State to attend local high schools and live with volunteer families that reflect the full diversity of American families across the United States.
Website: hosting.state.gov
Email: youthprograms@state.gov
U.S. Speaker Program
The Office of the U.S. Speaker Program identifies and recruits dynamic American experts to engage virtually and in-person with foreign professional audiences on topics of strategic importance to the United States.
Website: https://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/us-speaker-program
Email: eca-us-speakermanagementteam@state.gov
The Fulbright U.S. Student and Scholar Programs
The Fulbright Program awards approximately 9,000 merit-based scholarships in the United States and more than 160 countries every year to accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields. Fulbrighters study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges.
Website: www.fulbrightprogram.org
Email: fbstudents@iie.org and scholars@iie.org
Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellowship Program and Charles B. Rangel Fellowship and Summer Enrichment Program
The Pickering and Rangel programs are the Department of State’s premiere diversity Foreign Service recruitment programs. The programs seek to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. Based on the fundamental principle that diversity is a strength in our diplomatic efforts, the programs value varied backgrounds, including ethnic, racial, social, and geographic diversity.
Websites: https://pickeringfellowship.org/ and
Email: pickeringfellowship@howard.edu and rangelprogram@howard.edu
Virtual Student Federal Service
Virtual Internship. Real Experience.
The Virtual Student Federal Service connects the talents of U.S. citizen college students with the needs of federal agencies. Since 2009, more than 10,000 remote interns have advanced the work of the federal government. The time commitment is about 10 hours per week during the school year. There are opportunities for all, from data visualization to political analysis. Internships are unpaid but may be eligible for course credit. Speak with a guidance counselor regarding course credit requirements.
U.S. citizens who are high school graduates, from rising college freshmen through doctoral candidates, enrolled at least half time (as defined by the school) in college during their application and participation are eligible. Because the program is virtual, students can intern from anywhere.
Students apply between July 1 and July 28 and may apply for up to three internships. A maximum of 300 U.S. citizen college students may apply to each internship project. Internship mentors select students in August. Internships begin in September and run for the duration of the academic year.
Website: https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/virtual-student-federal-service/
Email: vsfs@state.gov
U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy, and the Secretary of State is the president’s principal foreign policy adviser. The Foreign Service is a corps of some 13,000 employees dedicated to representing America abroad and responding to the needs of American citizens living and traveling around the world. The Department’s Civil Service, totaling more than 11,000 employees, provides continuity and expertise in accomplishing all aspects of the Department’s mission. There are also more than 45,000 locally employed Foreign Service staff at overseas posts.
Today, the primary responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and its employees is to fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives while building a freer, prosperous and secure world.
The Department also operates several other types of offices, most of which are located throughout the United States, including passport agencies, foreign press centers, logistic support offices, security offices, and financial service centers.
Website: careers.state.gov
Email: https://careers.state.gov/about/connect-with-a-diplomat/ (click on a Diplomat-in-Residence region on the map)
State Department Bureaus and Offices
Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
The Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance (AVC) is responsible for deterring conflict and enhancing strategic stability using tools such as arms control treaties, other international agreements, and transparency and confidence-building measures. AVC builds cooperation among allies and partners in order to control the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, space and cyber capabilities, and conventional weapons.
Email: AVC-DEIA-Council@groups.state.gov
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) champions universal values, including respect for the rule of law, democratic institutions, and human rights. The Bureau’s work helps bolster democratic institutions, confront democratic backsliding, promote accountability, uphold internationally recognized labor standards, and advance the rights and equity of members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and religious communities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ persons.
Email: OES-DRLHR@state.gov
Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR)
The Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) leads the Department of State’s efforts to develop and execute international energy policy through diplomatic and programmatic engagement that promote a low-emissions future, energy security for the United States and our allies and partners, and economic prosperity through sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy access.
Website: www.state.gov/e/enr
Email: Enr-pd-clearances@state.gov
Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR)
INR is a bureau of the Department of State and a member of the intelligence community.. The primary mission of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) is to harness intelligence to serve U.S. diplomacy. Secretary of State George Marshall established INR in 1947. INR is a direct descendant of the Office of Strategic Services Research Department and the oldest civilian intelligence element in the U.S. government. Brett Holmgren is INR’s assistant secretary.
Drawing on all-source intelligence, INR provides value-added independent analysis of events to State Department policymakers, ensures that intelligence activities support foreign policy and national security purposes, and serves as the focal point in the State Department for ensuring policy review of sensitive counterintelligence and law enforcement activities around the world. The bureau directs the Department’s program of intelligence analysis and research, liaises with the intelligence community, and represents the Department on committees and in interagency intelligence groups. The Bureau of Intelligence and Research also analyzes geographical and international boundary issues.
Website: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/secretary-of-state/bureau-of-intelligence-and-research/
Email: inr-jobs@state.gov
Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation
The mission of the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN) is to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, delivery systems, and advanced conventional weapons capabilities — and rolling back such proliferation where it has already taken root. In collaboration with other bureaus within the State Department, other U.S. agencies, and a diverse range of international and nongovernmental partners, ISN tracks, develops, and implements effective responses to proliferation threats and shapes the international security environment to prevent their recurrence.
Email: nguyenjh2@state.gov
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
The bureau provides American leadership, diplomacy, and scientific cooperation to conserve and protect the global environment, ocean, health, and space for the prosperity, peace, and security of this and future generations.
Email: OES-DRLHR@state.gov
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM)
The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) is the humanitarian bureau of the State Department. PRM promotes U.S. interests by providing protection, easing suffering, and resolving the plight of persecuted and forcibly displaced people around the world. The bureau accomplishes this by coordinating humanitarian policy and diplomacy, providing life-sustaining assistance, working with multilateral organizations to build global partnerships, and promoting best practices in humanitarian response.
Email: prm-pressofficers@state.gov
Information Resource Management (IRM)
Contact IRM to learn more about exciting information technology careers in the Foreign Service and Civil Service. Be a part of the adventure and global mission that powers diplomacy with technology!
Website: https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/specialist/information-technology/
Email: DOSITRecruitment@state.gov
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) builds enduring security partnerships to advance U.S. national security objectives and is the Department of State’s principal link to the Department of Defense. PM provides policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defense strategy and plans, and defense.
Email: ThomasRJ@state.gov
Bureau of Medical Services
The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) safeguards the health and well-being of America’s diplomatic community. MED recruits and assigns family nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, physicians, physician assistants, and medical laboratory scientists to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to provide primary health care services to diplomats and their family members. We offer a workplace that values and rewards leadership, collaboration, innovation, and we offer personal and professional development. Each day, our Foreign Service Medical Specialists make a difference.
Website: https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/worldwide-foreign-service/specialist/medical-and-health/
Email: medrecruiting@state.gov
Diplomatic Security Service
The Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service leads worldwide security and law enforcement efforts to advance U.S. foreign policy and safeguard national security interests. Our Vision is to be an agile and proactive intelligence-led security and law enforcement organization to further diplomacy around the world. DSS has the largest global presence of any U.S. law enforcement organization, operating at more than 270 U.S. diplomatic posts in over 170 countries, and in 33 U.S. cities.
Website: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-diplomatic-security/
Email: DSPublicAffairs@state.gov
Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP)
J/TIP leads the Department’s global policy and programmatic efforts to combat human trafficking through the prosecution of traffickers, the protection of victims, and the prevention of human trafficking.
Email: TIPOutreach@state.gov
Office of Alumni Affairs
The Office of Alumni Affairs cultivates and extends the impact of U.S. government-funded and sponsored educational and cultural exchange programs through continued engagement with alumni of these programs. This dynamic global network of millions of Exchange Alumni includes current and former heads of state, Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympic athletes, award-winning artists, and untold numbers of community leaders and changemakers around the world.
Website: https://alumni.state.gov/
Email: exchangealumni@state.gov
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
The office conducts domestic outreach on behalf of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
Email: eisenbergd@state.gov
U.N. Information Center in Washington and the Bureau of International Organization Affairs
The United Nations Information Center in Washington builds support for the values and work of the United Nations in the United States by sharing its story with the American people and Government and engaging with educational and cultural institutions; civil society; the media; think tanks; and DC-based international financial institutions and regional organizations.
Websites: https://www.un.org/en/washington and
Email: unic-washington@un.org
Employee Organizations
Hispanic & Latin Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies (HECFAA)
The mission of the Hispanic and Latin Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies (HECFAA) is to enhance awareness of Hispanic and Latina/o/e/x contributions in shaping U.S. foreign policy and to assist in the recruitment, retention, leadership development and promotion of Hispanic and Latina/o/e/x employees in the Department of State. HECFAA believes that having the Civil Service and Foreign Service be more representative of the United States enables the U.S. government to advance key foreign policy goals, such as respect for human and civil rights, as well as political, social and economic inclusion. By having a diverse workforce, we demonstrate to foreign audiences — in deed, not only in word — the promises of liberal democracy and equal opportunity. HECFAA was founded in 1982 and represents over 700 employees in Washington, domestic offices, and abroad. Be part of our HECFAA team in carrying out this vital mission.
Website: https://hecfaa.org/
Email: HECFAABoard2@state.gov
South Asian-American Employee Association (SAAEA)
SAAEA is one of the Department’s 16 officially recognized Employee Affinity Groups. SAAEA’s mission is twofold: enhancing recruitment, retention, and promotion of South Asian Americans, and raising cultural awareness of the region to enhance foreign policy priorities. SAAEA is committed to supporting Department DEIA efforts, building internal and external community and networks, and fostering professional development. SAAEA does this through the following objectives: 1. Liaise with members via SAAEA communications, events, and outreach to represent their needs. 2. Address pipeline barriers for Civil Service and Foreign Service advancement to the GS-14 and GS-15 and FS-02 and FS-01 levels to enhance employees’ ability to be promoted to Senior Executive Service and Senior Foreign Service positions. 3. Foster and develop relationships with South Asian embassies in Washington to coordinate cultural events for the Department. 4. Continue to collaborate with other Employee Affinity Groups to offer Department-wide events to promote awareness about SAAEA.
Website: N/A
Email: SAAEA@state.gov