Foreign Service Careers at the U.S. Department of Commerce

I joined the Foreign Service with the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2003. I grew up in a U.S. Military and Foreign Service family posted overseas living in large capital cities around the world in Europe, Asia, and Africa. In 2006, as my wife and I embarked on this global adventure together we decided to throw down roots in rural New Hampshire as the place to call home and raise a family. Since then, the mountains of rural New Hampshire have become our refuge from the concrete jungles, pollution, and traffic of global capital cities. Transplanted New Hampshirites often agree (and to paraphrase John Muir), the “White Mountains are calling, and I must go.” The fresh air, natural beauty, and landscapes have a way of reeling you in and not letting go.  However, as much as I love being at home in rural New Hampshire, the call of adventure rings incessantly at my door.  

Being a global nomad, I am confounded by those in business who have not sought to expand their markets internationally. Over 10 million U.S. jobs are supported by U.S. exporters and exporters who work with us average a $2 million revenue increase after they expand their export markets. I know from firsthand experience that there is a niche market for New Hampshire Maple Syrup considering the joy it brings when presented as gifts to our friends and colleagues.  There are other industries too (of course) which would benefit from the expanded sales revenues that international markets might bring.  

Aside from the business benefits, there is a tremendous life-changing career opportunity working in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service. Foreign Service Officers, also commonly referred to as Commercial Officers, carry out a wide variety of critical functions and work with a broad spectrum of government and private sector organizations to articulate, develop and refine United States commercial policy, promote U.S. exports and to protect U.S. commercial interests abroad. In essence, we try to breakdown market entry barriers and increase product awareness for products made in rural America and elsewhere in the United States.  

This requires Commercial Officers to cultivate personal and professional contacts to be used in influencing foreign trade policies to benefit and protect United States commercial interests.  It’s not unlike the business networking that takes place in rural America with personal relationships often serving as the basis to advance business interests.  

Commercial Officers serve a substantial portion of their careers at overseas diplomatic missions usually in embassies, consulates, or trade centers in large, populous cities around the world. On average Commercial Officers expect to serve about two-thirds of their career overseas. While it is not always easy to spend time far from loved ones in the U.S., this is a career opportunity best approached with eyes wide open. For me, the career provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience foreign cultures, make friends around the world from diverse backgrounds, and help shape history.

A Commercial Officer’s day-to-day work will be varied and ever-changing. On any given day, I have visited a glass manufacturing plant to determine their need for thermal imaging cameras and on another day, I met with government ministers about a sensitive trade policy issue to allow heart valves made with bovine-derived material to be marketed in the country. I have organized events to promote U.S.-based architectural design services in the morning and negotiated with local customs officials to facilitate entry of a U.S. shipment of recycled materials into the country in the afternoon. Such is the life of a Commercial Officer! Foreign Service Officers enjoy access to people and places beyond the experience of most average Americans. I’ve had the chance to meet the Presidents of the Dominican Republic and Egypt not to mention countless Ministers (Secretaries) of various federal government agencies abroad.  

Family life abroad can also be very exciting, filled with enriching cultural experiences for your spouse and your children. You and your family will be expected to move (on average) every 2-4 years.  As a U.S. diplomat, your spouse/partner, children, and in some cases, dependent parent(s) may travel with you to your post, except to those locations designated “unaccompanied.”  You and your family will usually live in U.S. government provided housing, and at many posts, there are American-curriculum and/or international schools that your children may attend – further broadening their horizons by going to school with children from as many as 70 different nationalities.   While the Foreign Service does not guarantee your spouse or partner employment, there are programs and services to assist in identifying employment options.

Working for the federal government may seem daunting. The Foreign Service has nearly 16,000 employees across several U.S. Government agencies; that’s higher than the population of most rural towns in America.  At the Commerce Department, Foreign Service Officers make up just 250 of the Department’s 45,000 employees. Becoming a Commerce Foreign Service Officer is really like joining a large family or an elite corps of Commercial Diplomats. The collegiality of our officer corps is not unlike the collegiality at your local rural Chamber of Commerce meetings. 

If you’re up for the adventure, a Foreign Service career at the Commerce Department may be for you. The State Department also has a quiz which can help you decide if the Foreign Service might be a fit. Commerce’s next round of Foreign Service hiring will open during the first quarter of 2022. Depending on staffing needs, Commerce hires Foreign Service Officers once every twelve to 24 months. The time from applying to onboarding can take six months to two years. If you still have questions about this exciting career, write into the assessment team for more information.  

We look forward to working with you!