Economic Cone
People who plan to become Foreign Service Officers have to choose their career track or cone first if they want to be successful. The five cones from which an aspiring officer can choose from are Management, Public Diplomacy, Consular, Political and Economic. Focusing on jobs that are within the officer's cone is essential for getting promoted within the Foreign Service.
Based on the history of the Foreign Service, officers who choose the political cone have had the best chance in career advancement. Meanwhile, economic cone officers who were found to have a special understanding of political issues had a good chance of becoming an ambassador. Political and economic cone officers may also be given public diplomacy assignments. Thus, choosing the economic cone can be a good career move for those aspiring to become Foreign Service Officers, particularly if their interests lie in world economy.
Economic cone officers represent the American people in the international economic affairs. Thus, this particular career track is indeed vital in international relations. Economic officers need to collaborate with the American Chambers of Commerce and other organizations composed of business leaders. They also represent US companies when they meet with officials of other countries to make sure that they have a fair chance at contract bidding and that their interests are taken into account in the development of international trade standards. In their goal of taking care of international economic relations, economic cone officers also work hand-in-hand with the Office of the US Trade Representative and the Foreign Commercial Service.
Unfortunately, economic Foreign Service Officers need to represent all kinds of US industries, including the petroleum, tobacco, and even weapons industries. They may not believe in all of the industries that they have to represent but all are vital components of the economy. Those who believe in the importance of free trade and the role played by American products are expected to do very well in the economic cone of the Foreign Service.
Meanwhile, it may be good news for those who are planning to pursue the economic cone because in an interview, Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger has indicated that there is a shift in Foreign Service from focusing on political and military affairs to economic affairs. However, Eagleburger clarified that the issue is not really about shifting to the economic cone but for Foreign Service Officers to really comprehend the nature of business and how US businesses can establish the proper connections in other countries. Still, these developments are encouraging for the economic cone in the Foreign Service.
The entry level for this career path usually involves focusing on a particular industry sector and making reports to Washington and communicating with business leaders in this particular area. After tenure, economic cone officers are given assignments in bigger areas and may eventually be given the post of Economic Counselor. They can be part of the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs or become desk officers for countries where the US has significant economic interests. Because the economic cone is very popular, officers who want to focus here need to do their best in the oral exam.
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