Who is a diplomat? (creative work). Choosing a profession: who is a diplomat

This profession is given an aura of romanticism by cinematography. Usually, it seems that life will be full of adventure and travel, there is little routine work and everything is easy and simple. In fact, this is not the case. This is not only hard work, but also a lot of skills and abilities that will have to be acquired in order to survive in another country or become someone special.

What personal qualities are required for a diplomat

First, it is excellent memory and very extensive knowledge, because you have to communicate with by different people and not only in an official setting. In addition, during a conversation, you need to quickly grasp all the subtleties, analyze the situation and draw conclusions. Only by knowing how to understand the peculiar Aesopian language can you quickly analyze the situation in politics. You will need to be neat and tactful, polite and competent.

It may be necessary to restrain emotions, and besides this, it is imperative to be aware of changes in the world and be able to understand the development of technologies. Some people think that one should be born a diplomat, and this is not said in vain. However, talent alone will not help; years of study and many years of practice will come in handy. In addition, many diplomats have a special charisma. Therefore, you will have to work a lot on yourself.

How to become a diplomat

Education can be obtained at the University of International Relations. Most often, diplomats graduate MGIMO... After that, you will have to work hard on climbing career ladder, where there will be different appointments, and not always they will be associated with going abroad. First, this is the attaché. This is a simple employee of a diplomatic mission. After that, you can become a secretary, according to the positions of which the ranks are provided. The highest rank that can be achieved is the ambassador, who is appointed by the head of state.

What are the duties of a diplomat

Most often, a diplomat takes part in various companies and peacekeeping trips, can deal with issues of both foreign and domestic policy. Participates in the solution of international conflicts and situations, forges connections between representatives of different countries. When obtaining visas, he advises migrants, helps to obtain a residence permit or citizenship in the country. You will have to study not only your legislation, but also the laws of those countries with which you will have to work. Especially good will have to navigate in international law. It is compulsory to know several languages.

Most often, the work of a diplomat will consist of business trips and travel, so you need to be mentally prepared for this. The profession is risky and can even be dangerous. It may also happen that no one will come to the rescue, and the situation will have to be resolved alone. This requires not only good health, but energy and fortitude.

Where to get the profession of a diplomat

Even after graduating from a university, get a job well, it may not work right away... In order to get into foreign embassies, the Foreign Ministry or to be an ambassador, you will have to use all the persistence and connections, have extensive knowledge and prove yourself only from the positive side. Naturally, you need to have a higher education. After graduating from MGIMO, there are more chances to get a job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but translators, lawyers, regional studies and graduates of other universities can get into diplomacy.

Since paid tuition at MGIMO costs 400 thousand rubles a year, you can choose a faculty in St. Petersburg, where tuition is only 250 thousand. Getting on the budget is considered a great success in both universities, since the places there are “booked ahead of time”. The average USE score on admission should be from 94 to 96%, so you will have to prepare for admission from school.

What are the requirements

You will have to learn your language, otherwise, if you have illiteracy, there is nothing to do in this profession. In addition to English, you will have to learn a couple more languages, since work is supposed to be with foreigners.

The personal qualities of a future diplomat should also be at their best. Welcomed:

• Presentability.
• Sociability.
• A responsibility.
• Composure.
• Oratory.

In addition, you need to know well the history of Russia, to be able to represent your country in the political arena among other states.

What are the pros and cons of the profession

It seems to some that the work of a diplomat abroad is material security and diplomatic immunity, but this is only at first glance. In fact, the profession is full of dangers. Moreover, the diplomatic mission with which the person was sent is service to the Motherland, an opportunity to avoid temptations. This is a lot of work, because in order to become an authority in your field, you need to learn a delicate balancing act between different nationalities. There were several unpleasant incidents when ambassadors were simply not received in another country. Some were even killed.

Therefore, you need to think several times before choosing such a profession. Working away from family can leave a mark on personal life... The diplomat will have to decide whether he will be a loner or find a reliable rear. Also, the disadvantages of work include the fact that the profession is gaining popularity, which means that finding a good job is becoming more and more difficult.

Salary, how much a diplomat receives

Of course, the salary is not very high, but the diplomat will not have to starve either. If career growth grows, then earnings will be higher. On average, an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can receive from 20 to 150 thousand rubles a month. When traveling abroad, the salary increases several times. Diplomats are fully supported by the state, and have benefits, abroad as well.

- Olga, tell us where you can learn to be a diplomat? Where did you study yourself? Is there a big competition for this specialty?

- In Russia, there are only two universities that provide graduates with direction and characteristics in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is MGIMO and my alma mater - the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. At the same time, not only a graduate of a specialized university can apply for participation in the competition for filling a vacant position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The candidate must speak at least two foreign languages, possess knowledge of international relations and have a driver's license, without which it is difficult to get on a business trip abroad.

As a rule, only children with knowledge of rare languages, for example, Indonesian or Hindi, have a chance to get a job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from a non-core university. By the way, I would like to note that the Chinese language is no longer rare. Many guys with Of the Far East come to Moscow with good knowledge Chinese and compete with Muscovites, who especially have nowhere to practice the language.

When I entered, the competition for budget places was big, I needed to score 170 points out of 200 in order to get on the budget. Those who gain a little less points are offered to enroll in a paid department; in 2017, the cost of a full-time master's program at my faculty of international relations is 332 thousand rubles.

- Quite an expensive education! How much time and money do you need to spend to get a specialty?

- After graduating from school, I was so not sure of my knowledge and abilities that I did not even consider the options for entering the budget. But in vain! I graduated from the specialty at the paid department of the Moscow University for the Humanities, the Faculty of International Relations. Then it cost about 180 thousand rubles a year, multiplying this amount by five, you can understand that it is not cheap at all. Therefore, I entered the Diplomatic Academy only on the budget, realizing that if I am not worthy, then my path is direct to translators. But the Diplomatic Academy accepted me and presented me with two incredible years of study, the opportunity to participate in conferences, attend foreign missions and tremendous experience in intercultural communication, because about 20% of the Academy's students are foreigners.

- Olga, what are the chances of finding a job by profession?

- The less common the language you speak is, the more chances you have of getting a job. And if you have two rare languages ​​plus English at a level not lower than Intermediate, you are almost on the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs! When applying for a job, a mandatory test is an examination to determine the level of proficiency in the languages ​​you have declared. It is taken at the Higher Courses of Foreign Languages ​​of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and consists of an oral and a written part.

- You are in the Foreign Ministry's reserve, what are the chances that one day you will be called to work?

- A significant number of graduates of specialized universities are included in the "reserve". As a rule, there are not enough places for everyone, and this is not surprising, since more than one hundred specialists in the field of international relations graduate in Moscow every year. During the year, "reservists" are slowly finding places in seemingly unsightly regions: Africa and Central Asia... But in the reserve, you can and forever hang, as, for example, happened to me. My absolutely "standard for a girl" set of languages ​​- English and Spanish - played a cruel joke on me. The Latin America I had hoped for turned out to be highly sought after by boys, who are still preferred over girls in diplomacy. There is nothing to be done, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still a "men's club", despite the fact that every year there are more and more women in the structure.

- Aren't you offended that you became a specialist, but did not get a job?

- At first, when dreams of a diplomatic career and patriotic impulses crash on a rocky shore called "reserve", it seems that no other job will give you happiness and satisfaction. But this is not the case. The knowledge and skills that I received at the academy were in demand in Public Relations. First of all, this is an understanding of how communication should be built in general, how to write business letters and process a large number of text. If you are lucky, then languages ​​will not turn out to be an extra baggage - in an international company they will find application.

- And how many years can you wait for a position? And what kind of position? I don't want to become a trainee at 40.

- The structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very similar to that of the army: in order to achieve a high position, you need to go through all the steps of the career ladder - diplomatic ranks. Graduates of specialized universities with honors, as a rule, start with the rank of attaché, without honors - with an assistant secretary. Then they go the way of the third secretary, the second secretary, up to the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. In this case, the position may be called in a completely different way, for example, the director of a department or the head of a department. Foreign minister is also a position, not a rank.

- Why are so many diplomats trained if there is not enough work for everyone?

- In the early 2000s, work in the civil service was not so prestigious, the salary was extremely low, and the ministry often had problems with replacing personnel. Now salaries in the department have increased, and it is not for the sake of salaries that students are eager to enter the civil service. And so, it so happened that if earlier graduates of MGIMO and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs went anywhere, but not to the civil service, now young guys are turning their eyes towards the ministry. The worthy and lucky ones end up in the central office, the patient and well-connected guys go on a business trip, and all the rest go to the reserve.

- Where, besides the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, can a diplomat get a job?

- I think there are many options. Press services and PR departments of international companies may well be interested in such a specialist. Also, I would advise you to consider news agencies, news departments that search, translate and rewrite news from international agencies. There, a graduate with knowledge of two or more languages ​​will be in great demand.

- Why did you choose this profession for yourself?

- I've always wanted to work in the field of communications. And diplomacy is directly related to this area, it only implies the highest responsibility for your words and deeds. I was not looking for easy ways, plus everything I had knowledge of two languages ​​and a high degree of patriotism, that's how it all turned out.

- Didn't you regret that you became a diplomat, because you still can't work by profession?

- No, I didn’t regret it, it’s a great experience. You move away from the particulars and start thinking globally, realizing that in fact a lot depends on you. This creates a responsible attitude towards everything you do.

- Olga, what is the essence of the work of a diplomat, what are his tasks?

- It all depends on the department. Diplomats work not only in the Foreign Ministry, but also, for example, in Rossotrudnichestvo, this is the Federal Agency for CIS affairs, compatriots living abroad, and for international humanitarian cooperation. The job of a diplomat, wherever he is, usually consists of a large number paperwork. But if you are happy to write your diploma on a topic like: "The role of personality in the formation of a new world order", then for you it will not be difficult to work with materials.

There are two areas of work: in the central office and on a business trip. Working and living abroad can be both great happiness and frustration. Some of my acquaintances with difficulty overcame the hardships of independent life without relatives and friends in a foreign country. But it all depends on the person.

Most graduates strive to immediately get on a business trip in order to get real practice of the language and see how the work of foreign institutions is being structured. Someone also dreams of rich diplomatic receptions, but for a diplomat, reception is even more stressful work than fiddling with documents. Here is a diplomat and an event manager, a PR man, and a hostess all rolled into one. Initially, a business trip through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is drawn up in the form of a contract for a year, so in a year the contract with an employee may not be renewed and, in fact, he will be left without work. True, I have not heard of such cases.

- What qualities should a person possess to become a good diplomat?

- I think the main qualities in diplomacy and in any other profession are decency and responsibility. But in diplomacy, the factor of restraint is also important. Here you cannot flare up, slam the door, quarrel with the "client". In fact, your client is the country's reputation, and this is a bad joke. To restraint, I would add patience and the absence of fear of communicating with people, but this can already be brought up and worked out. In diplomacy, you quickly realize that no matter what country a person comes from, he is, first of all, a person, which means that your attitude to most everyday things will be similar. I remember how at a reception at the residence of the British Ambassador when I was studying at the Diplomatic Academy, we discussed cooking with the representative of the British Parliament, and this is normal, everyone loves to eat.

- How did you end up in the PR armchair?

- After it became clear that the status “in the Foreign Ministry’s reserve” could drag on for years, I started looking for a job in which I could apply my skills. The sphere of public relations seemed to me the closest and most interesting. I started as a junior PR manager in an agency, I was very lucky with a mentor who explained to me the very principle of working in PR. Then I was released into free swimming, and I began to gain experience, sometimes making not very successful decisions. In PR, experience is everything. Neither education nor expert advice can replace it.

- How do you plan to build your career?

- Marketing, perhaps, is one of the most dynamically developing spheres, so it is impossible to predict what I will be doing in five years. Most likely, I will continue to work in the field of PR, but it is possible that PR itself, while retaining the name, will change dramatically during this time.

Official representative of the interests of the state and its citizens, often abroad. The daily activities of a diplomat include resolving legal problems of those who live abroad, assistance in obtaining visas, and conducting diplomatic correspondence. High-ranking diplomats participate in summits, conclude bilateral and multilateral agreements, and attend official receptions. The specialist has up-to-date information and is always ready to highlight the official position of the country he represents in the press. Diplomatic status implies a number of social and legal privileges.

Personal qualities

When defending the interests of his country in the international arena, a diplomat uses persuasion skills. The positive outcome of the negotiations depends on the argumentation of the position. Knowledge of the etiquette of the host countries plays an important role. Acquaintance with traditions and knowledge of the language of the state help to avoid embarrassing situations with foreign partners. In addition, successful career development requires dedication and responsibility.

Where to study

Compulsory subjects for admission: History (profile), Russian language, Social studies and (or) Foreign language. "International relations" is the direction necessary for the applicant to master the basics of the future specialty. Basic set undergraduate disciplines include world history, 2-3 foreign languages, philosophy, international law, political science, theory of international relations, the foundations of international security, world economy, analysis of integration processes at the present stage. Master's degree in most cases assumes a narrow regional focus. The program is aimed at training specialists who are proficient in the analytical apparatus in the field of economic and political problems in a particular territory.

Pros and cons of the profession

Pros:

A kind of universality of knowledge that allows a diplomat to play the roles of a political scientist, economist, lawyer, historian and even a journalist.

Possibility of living in different countries and broadening one's horizons;

Privilege position, which presupposes preferential conditions for the provision of housing and transport, exemption from part of taxes;

The overall prestige of the job.

It takes 22 to 33 years to move up the international career ladder from attaché to ambassador extraordinary. To assign each subsequent position, a Russian diplomat is forced to work for 2-3 years.

Minuses:

A certain degree of risk when carrying out a diplomatic mission in "hot spots";

High competition in the labor market due to the limited number of positions;

Almost complete absence of personal time, since the diplomat in to a greater extent belongs to the state, which it serves, than to itself. Activities often involve irregular working hours.

Career, places of employment

The career of a diplomat includes 11 career steps. Only passing each of them allows you to get one step closer to a higher rank. The salary of a diplomat depends on his position in the hierarchy. It should be noted that additional payments are possible, depending on the number of foreign languages ​​studied, unfavorable conditions in the host country, combination of positions, and the presence of minor children. The starting salary of an attache is around 30,000 rubles. Russian diplomats work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, and foreign missions.

Related areas of training:

... "Foreign Regional Studies"

... "Oriental and African Studies"

Diplomat - an employee of the foreign relations department authorized by the government for relations with foreign states, international organizations and their representatives. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in law, foreign languages ​​and social studies (see the choice of a profession by interest in school subjects).

From other Greek. δiπλωμα - folded in half. This was the name of the double plaques with information printed on them - a credential confirming the ambassador's powers.

Features of the profession

In international relations, diplomacy is associated with the art of negotiating to resolve conflicts and expand international cooperation. The diplomat represents the interests of the citizens of his country and its citizens, establishes cultural, trade ties, collects information about the host country concerning the interests of his country.

Each diplomatic worker has a diplomatic rank (rank) determined by international treaties and has diplomatic immunity. Diplomatic rank is not necessarily associated with a specific post held; it is a special legal status that provides a diplomat with special privileges on the part of the sending state. Moreover, the volume of diplomatic privileges (diplomatic immunity) is the same for diplomats of all ranks.

Diplomatic ranks:

Ambassador- the head of the diplomatic mission of the highest protocol level. In most countries, an ambassador is the highest diplomatic rank.

Messenger(Ambassador Extraordinary, Plenipotentiary Minister) - a diplomatic representative, sometimes heading a diplomatic mission. The envoy belongs to the second class of diplomatic representatives, lower in international legal status than the ambassador.

Chargé d'Affaires- the head of the diplomatic mission of the lowest protocol level.

Chargé d'Affaires- the junior class after the ambassador and envoy of the head of the diplomatic mission. The Chargé d'Affaires is accredited to the head of the Foreign Office.

Resident minister(from Lat. residens - staying in place) - a diplomatic representative, ranked below the envoy.
There is no such position in the Russian Federation.

Attaché(from the French attache - attached) - an official assigned to the diplomatic mission as a specialist in any field: military attaché, press attaché, etc. Attache - junior diplomatic rank.

Workplace

State diplomatic missions abroad (embassies, missions), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Salary

Salary on 02/18/2019

Russia 40,000-600,000 ₽

Moscow 40,000—100,000 ₽

Important qualities

For successful work, you must have good intellect and intuition, a broad outlook, and be well-versed in a changing political situation. A diplomat needs energy, resourcefulness, ability to work, responsibility, and psychological stability. And, of course, charm and sense of humor.

Where to study for a Diplomat

The opportunity for a diplomatic career is given by training in such universities:

• ... Faculty of Global Processes, Faculty of World Politics;
• (University) MFA of Russia (MGIMO). Faculty of International Relations;
• (HSE). Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs.

The profession of a diplomat has always been surrounded by an aura of mystery.

In the cinema, we are presented with the image of a charming scout, whose life is replete with travel and adventure.

But in reality, the picture is not so romantic.

After all, first of all, this profession is hard work that requires a lot of time, skills and abilities.

Diplomat profession - personal qualities

• A specialist in this field must have an excellent memory and broad-based knowledge, because he obtains information by communicating with different people, not only in an official setting, but also during ordinary small talk.
• During communication, you need to capture all the details and subtleties, because only understanding the subtext, you can competently analyze the situation in foreign policy.
• To be a professional, you need to be able to restrain emotions, be tactful and accurate, follow the changes in the world around you and the development of technology.
• They say that you cannot become a diplomat - they have to be born. But you cannot rely on talent alone. It takes years of study and more more years practice.

How to become a diplomat?

The necessary education can be obtained at the university at the Faculty of International Relations, World Economy and World Politics.

The first stage is an attaché, an employee of a diplomatic mission.

Next in the chain are the third, second and first secretaries.

The highest rank in most countries is recognized as the ambassador, who is appointed by the head of state.

What are the duties of a diplomat?

A specialist in foreign policy takes part in international campaigns, peacekeeping trips, deals with issues of foreign and domestic policy, resolves international conflicts, controversial situations, establishes international relations, etc.

He also advises migrants in obtaining visas, residence permits and citizenship. Therefore, it is so important to know not only the legislation of your country, but also those states in which you have to work, as well as to understand international law. And, of course, you can't cope without knowing foreign languages.

The work of a diplomat consists of numerous travels and regular business trips.

Do not forget that this profession is associated with risks and dangers that can threaten in the performance of official duties.

With such a schedule and a high degree of responsibility, only physically healthy, emotionally stable, energetic and strong-willed human.

Diplomat profession - where they teach

It seems that the profession of a diplomat is a fairy tale, but it is not. In order to carry out a diplomatic mission (to work in foreign embassies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or to fulfill the role of an envoy), persistence, connections, luck and, of course, knowledge are required.

To become a professional diplomat, of course, you need to have a higher education. The question is what specialty you need to choose in order to get the desired job. Most often, diplomats are graduates of the faculties of "International Relations", but the path to diplomacy is open both for regional studies, translators, and lawyers and graduates of other faculties.

As practice says, future diplomats are best prepared at MGIMO. Many current diplomats got a job at the Foreign Ministry immediately after graduating from this university.

When choosing a university, at one time I looked towards MGIMO, but in 9 cases out of 10, hearing about this news, they told me that all budget places were "booked" there good people several years before admission; this is just my opinion. But to study for a fee at MGIMO costs up to 400,000 rubles per year.

An alternative option is the faculty in the Northern Capital - St. Petersburg State University. I will not talk about the possibility of admission to the Faculty of International Relations - the average USE score must be at least 94-96% (as in MGIMO), everyone will treat these numbers in their own way. But it is cheaper to study there for a fee than in Moscow - about 250,000 rubles per year.

Requirements for a future diplomat

• First of all, of course, you have to be a connoisseur of your native language - now you can't go anywhere without it. If you understand your ignorance, it is better not to go into such a responsible business.
• Secondly, perfect command of 2-3 foreign languages ​​(including English) - you will have to work mainly with foreigners. ().
• Thirdly, a lot of personal qualities are needed, including communication skills, presentability, and responsibility.
• Fourth, one should not forget that diplomats are representatives of their country in the international arena, which means that you need knowledge of history (not only of Russia), possession of the gift of oratory and composure - some tasks are difficult to accomplish for "weak" people.

Pros and cons of being a diplomat

The work of a diplomat seems ideal - abroad, diplomatic immunity, authority, constant material security, the romance of the profession. So this is only at first glance - the work of a diplomat is difficult and dangerous. Do not forget that a diplomatic mission is not a trip abroad, but service to the Motherland.

Throughout history Russian Federation about 10 unpleasant situations happened with ambassadors who were not received in another country. Many of them were killed.

In addition, working away from home and possibly family can negatively affect personal life.

The disadvantages can also be attributed to the fact that "Mezhdunarodnikov" in recent times it has become too much - the profession is gaining popularity, which only means that it is becoming more and more difficult to occupy this "place in the sun" at the Foreign Ministry every year.

Profession diplomat - salary

Wage will not allow a diplomat to live in style, but he will not have to starve either - work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is one of the most paid among the state. Working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presupposes career growth, which means that salaries can constantly grow.

Foreign Ministry employees receive from 20 thousand to 150 thousand rubles a month.

The salary rises several times in the case of a business trip abroad.

Like other civil servants, diplomats are fully supported by the state, have a lot of benefits (mostly abroad).