#IAmDiplomacy: A Young Diplomat’s Journey

I am a product of the U.S. Department of State’s diversity recruitment and I represent America.

While I have served at State for several years now, my story began much earlier when my 7th grade geography teacher first inspired me to travel. That year I sold candy so I could afford the school trip to Spain. My newfound passion for international affairs eventually led me to Washington, D.C., where the heart of policy beats daily. As a freshman and sophomore in college, I worked two jobs and continued to apply to scholarships to help me pay for my education. Finally, fate and a friend led me to apply for the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship in 2003. Prior to learning about this fellowship I had no idea about the Foreign Service or that this career was within my reach as a young African American girl from Georgia. At just 19 years old, I made one of the most important decisions of my life: accepting a fellowship that paid for my education as well as providing me a future career.

As a Pickering Fellow, I received my first introduction to the U.S. Department of State through its internship program. As an intern, I served both in Washington, D.C. and at the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador. In Quito, I analyzed the forestry industry and learned more about how the U.S. government was partnering with Ecuador to prevent deforestation. I got to venture to rural parts of the country and speak with communities that all depended on their local trees for income and stability. In Washington, D.C., I edited the International Religious Freedom report before it was distributed worldwide. How the United States regarded countries’ respect for other religions was top news, and foreign governments and non-governmental organizations alike were reading this report once it hit the online and print mediums. These experiences confirmed I made the right decision taking this fellowship and prepared me for a career in the Foreign Service.

One year into my first tour as a diplomat in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, a major earthquake tore apart the country. Immediately I went into action with my colleagues to evacuate Americans and their family members to the United States where they could have safe shelter, medical care, and vital resources to heal and overcome this traumatic event. During this time I experienced what it was really like to be on the front lines of American diplomacy and how we must step-up as leaders to help rebuild after a natural disaster. I later assisted evacuees coming from the Middle East while stationed in D.C. and went on to the United Arab Emirates, to lead part of the Management Section of our Consulate in Dubai.

Throughout my entire career, I have talked to students, peers, and anyone who would listen about the Foreign Service. So, when I saw a job vacancy for a recruitment position I jumped at the opportunity. Now, as a Department recruiter, I get to venture across the U.S. to speak with high school and college students as well as experienced professionals about this dynamic career.

I hope that students of Indiana University were inspired by Secretary Kerry’s call to join America’s foreign policy team during his speech. I agree with Secretary Kerry: we need more diversity, and Americans from all walks of life should join our ranks. We need a diplomatic corps that reflects America’s cultural and geographical diversity and we need to go to the people. We need to keep traveling to small towns like Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and big ones like New York City until everyone knows that they too can play a direct role in shaping America’s development and foreign policy.

As I travel the country, I meet young people who are eager to become involved in public service. I encourage them to consider the wide range of career opportunities offered by the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and the Peace Corps.

I want them to know you don’t have to be well-connected to be a diplomat. You can simply be a passionate traveler from Georgia who sold candy to go on her first international trip and signed up at 19 to serve her country.

If this sounds like you, consider applying for the U.S. Department of State’s Internship Program.

About the Author: Acquania Escarne is a Recruiter and Outreach Officer in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State.