How to qualify: Like most civil services positions, an undergraduate degree—in anything from economics or politics to health sciences and engineering—is a bare minimum requirement. At the federal level it helps (and is often essential) to be bilingual. And for diplomats, a third or even fourth language can help. To move up the ladder, a graduate degree might be necessary. For top-level government program officers, meanwhile, a PhD isn’t required, but it’s not unusual either.
Probably our most famous diplomat was Ken Taylor who died last year.