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What does an ambassador do?

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What is an Ambassador?

An ambassador is a high-ranking diplomatic representative who is appointed by a country's government to represent their interests in a foreign country. The primary role of an ambassador is to establish and maintain diplomatic relations between the two countries, facilitate trade and commerce, and promote cultural and educational exchange programs.

Ambassadors act as the official liaison between their home country and the host country, and they are responsible for conveying important information and instructions between the two governments. They also provide advice and counsel to their government on foreign policy matters, and they may be called upon to participate in negotiations and mediations between the two countries.

What does an Ambassador do?

Ambassadors are typically chosen for their diplomatic skills, knowledge of foreign languages, and expertise in international relations. They may be career diplomats who have risen through the ranks of their country's foreign service, or they may be political appointees who have been selected for their connections or expertise in a particular field.

Ambassadors usually reside in the country where they are posted and maintain an embassy or consulate, which serves as a hub for diplomatic activity. They are also responsible for managing the embassy's staff and budget, as well as ensuring the safety and security of their country's citizens who are living or traveling in the host country.

Duties and Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of an ambassador can vary depending on the country they are representing, the nature of the relationship between the two countries, and the specific needs of their home country. However, some of the general duties and responsibilities of an ambassador include:

• Representing their country: An ambassador is the official representative of their country in a foreign country. They are responsible for upholding the interests of their home country and promoting its image.
• Building and maintaining relationships: One of the primary responsibilities of an ambassador is to build and maintain relationships with the government and people of the country they are posted to. This involves attending official functions and events, meeting with government officials, and building connections with local business leaders and community members.
• Negotiating agreements: Ambassadors are often involved in negotiating agreements between their home country and the country they are posted to. This can include trade agreements, diplomatic agreements, and other types of agreements that benefit both countries.
• Providing information and advice: Ambassadors are responsible for providing accurate information and advice to their home government about the political, economic, and social conditions in the country they are posted to. They are also responsible for providing information to the local government and community about their home country.
• Protecting the interests of their citizens: Ambassadors have a duty to protect the interests of their citizens who are living or traveling in the country they are posted to. This can include providing consular services, helping citizens who are in legal trouble, and advocating for the rights of citizens who are facing discrimination or mistreatment.
• Managing embassy staff: Ambassadors are responsible for managing the staff of their embassy, which can include diplomats, administrative staff, and security personnel. They are also responsible for managing the embassy's budget and ensuring that all operations are conducted in an efficient and effective manner.
• Reporting back to their home government: Ambassadors are responsible for providing regular reports to their home government about the political, economic, and social conditions in the country they are posted to. These reports are used to inform policy decisions and guide the actions of the home government in its relationship with the foreign country.

Types of Ambassadors The following are just some of the types of ambassadors and their roles. Each ambassador's duties may vary depending on their country's needs and interests in the host country.

• Diplomatic Ambassadors: These are the most common type of ambassadors. They are appointed by their home country's government to represent their country's interests in a foreign country. Their primary role is to promote good relations between their country and the host country, facilitate negotiations, and resolve disputes.
• Cultural Ambassadors: Cultural ambassadors are appointed to promote cultural exchange between their home country and the host country. They showcase their country's art, music, literature, and other cultural elements, and work to foster understanding and appreciation between the two countries.
• Trade Ambassadors: Trade ambassadors are appointed to promote trade between their home country and the host country. They work to identify trade opportunities, facilitate trade agreements, and remove trade barriers.
• Military Ambassadors: Military ambassadors, also known as military attachés, are appointed to represent their country's military interests in a foreign country. They work to maintain military-to-military relationships, exchange military information, and promote military cooperation between the two countries.
• Environmental Ambassadors: Environmental ambassadors are appointed to represent their country's environmental interests in a foreign country. They work to promote sustainable development, address environmental issues, and support environmental policies that benefit both countries.
• Sports Ambassadors: Sports ambassadors are appointed to promote sports diplomacy and international goodwill through sports. They work to build relationships between the two countries through sports events and promote their country's sports culture and traditions.

Are you suited to be an ambassador?

Ambassadors have distinct personalities . They tend to be artistic individuals, which means they’re creative, intuitive, sensitive, articulate, and expressive. They are unstructured, original, nonconforming, and innovative. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if ambassador is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of an Ambassador like?

The workplace of an ambassador is unique in that it can vary greatly depending on the location and size of the embassy or consulate where they are posted. Typically, ambassadors work in an embassy or consulate, which serves as the official representation of their home country in the host country. These facilities are often large, modern buildings that house diplomatic staff, administrative offices, and living quarters.

Ambassadors often work in busy and dynamic environments where they must be able to handle a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. They typically oversee a team of diplomats, administrative staff, and other personnel who work to represent their country's interests and build relationships with the host country. This requires strong leadership and communication skills to manage a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds and cultures.

One of the most significant aspects of the ambassador's workplace is the need for diplomacy and tact in all interactions. Ambassadors must navigate complex political and cultural landscapes while representing their country's interests. This requires a high level of emotional intelligence and the ability to handle difficult conversations and negotiations with grace and skill.

Ambassadors also spend a considerable amount of time outside of their embassy or consulate, attending meetings and events in the host country. This may include meetings with government officials, business leaders, and other important figures. These interactions require ambassadors to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the issues at hand, as well as skilled in the art of diplomacy.

In addition to their regular work duties, ambassadors may also be responsible for community outreach and public relations. This may include attending cultural events, speaking to local media outlets, and engaging with community leaders to promote their country's values and interests. This requires a high level of cultural awareness and sensitivity, as well as the ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ambassador vs diplomat.

The terms "ambassador" and "diplomat" are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings.

An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat who represents a country in a foreign country or at an international organization. Ambassadors are usually appointed by their home country's government and are responsible for representing their country's interests, negotiating with foreign governments, and promoting friendly relations between their home country and the host country.

On the other hand, a diplomat is a government official who engages in diplomatic relations between countries. Diplomats work to promote their country's interests, negotiate treaties and agreements, and participate in international organizations. Diplomats can be of different ranks and hold various titles, such as consul, attaché, or chargé d'affaires.

In summary, while all ambassadors are diplomats, not all diplomats are ambassadors. Ambassadors hold a higher rank and have more responsibilities than other types of diplomats.

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Pros and Cons of Being an Ambassador

Being an ambassador can be a highly rewarding and exciting job that allows individuals to represent their country, promote their nation's interests, and build relationships with other countries. Ambassadors often have the opportunity to travel the world, attend important events, meet influential people, and play a vital role in shaping international relations. However, there are also several challenges and drawbacks that come with being an ambassador.

• Promoting national interests: One of the most significant advantages of being an ambassador is the opportunity to promote the interests of one's home country. This includes representing the nation in international forums, negotiating agreements, and building strategic alliances.
• Building relationships: Ambassadors play a vital role in building relationships between their country and other nations. By developing personal connections with political leaders, diplomats, and businesspeople, ambassadors can foster goodwill and cooperation between countries.
• Cultural immersion: Ambassadors often have the chance to experience different cultures and learn about the traditions and customs of the countries they are posted to. This can be a fascinating and enriching experience that broadens one's horizons and deepens one's understanding of the world.
• Travel: Being an ambassador provides ample opportunities for travel to various parts of the world. This can be an exciting perk of the job, allowing ambassadors to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things.
• Heavy workload: Being an ambassador can be a demanding and time-consuming job that requires long hours and a significant amount of travel. Ambassadors are often expected to work weekends and attend events outside of normal business hours.
• Isolation: Ambassadors may find themselves feeling isolated from their home country and support network. They are often far from family and friends and may have limited access to their culture and language.
• High stress: The role of an ambassador can be highly stressful, with a great deal of responsibility and pressure to succeed in their diplomatic mission. This can lead to burnout, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
• Security concerns: Ambassadors may face security risks while on the job, including terrorism, kidnapping, and other threats. They may need to take extensive security measures, including hiring bodyguards and living in secure compounds.

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8 Great Jobs for People Who Like to Travel

Published: Jun 23, 2024 By Kate Johanns

Some of us possess wanderlust, which is a term with German origins. Quite literally, it means to have a lust for wandering. If you’re looking for a job that allows you to “see the world,” these career paths might be just the ticket.

1. Event planner

The hospitality industry—while rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic—is back, and someone has to plan those in-person conferences and events! An event planner helps companies design experiences that achieve strategic goals. For instance, they might plan training conferences, fundraising galas, or large meetings. The event planner needs to be able to translate a client’s ideas into a seamless, cost-effective event where attendees don’t have to think about logistics—and the planner likely will travel to do so, both for site visits and the actual events.

2. Tour guide

A wide range of tour guide jobs exist—but if you work for a company that arranges group tours, you’ll get to travel. Of course, being a tour guide means you’ll be facilitating others’ travel (which means dealing with their foibles), but you’ll likely enjoy special access to tourist sites, as well as make useful connections throughout the industry. You might be able to tack a few days on to the end of a trip.

3. Professor

Earning tenure as a professor is a highly stressful endeavor, but along the way you may be able to spend time in some interesting locations. Tenure-track professors attend many academic conferences, some of which take place abroad. They also have opportunities to teach in study abroad programs, particularly summer study abroad programs in which American professors travel with a group of students for short-term expat experiences.

4. ESL teacher

Almost 1.5 billion people speak English worldwide, and many opportunities exist for English as a second language (ESL) teachers to work in other countries. You’ll need a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate to secure a position teaching English to non-native speakers in other countries.

5. Travel nurse

Working as a travel nurse is one way to ensure you never get bored. As a travel nurse, you’ll work for a staffing agency as opposed to a specific physician or medical facility, and you’ll be placed based on need. You may find yourself securing licensure in a new state or even a new country. The good news is, if you don’t like one area of nursing, you’ll soon be on to new adventures. Travel nurses often have higher salaries than traditional RNs, but the costs of temporary housing may be greater, and your available benefits, such as health insurance, will vary by assignment and the time you take off in between.

6. Sales representative

A sales representative can expect to put in long hours on the road as they travel to visit clients, but if you like to meet new people, pursue competitive goals, and enjoy a high level of autonomy in your job, then it could be the right job for you. Typically, you’ll be assigned a territory or region to cover, so while you might not see the world, you’ll have the chance to get to know a particular area well.

7. Business consultant

If you have an MBA and work at a big consulting firm, it’s likely you’ll have the opportunity to travel and spend time meeting with clients to make presentations and do research. Of course, some of this travel has been curtailed with the ease of remote work, but you’ll still find opportunities to travel in search of client facetime.

A buyer is responsible for deciding what customers will want to purchase and securing that inventory. It’s a high-stress field—if you’re not on target with your trend-watching and can’t negotiate a good profit margin, you might not be long for the industry. But if you are successful, you’ll have the opportunity to go to market, meet with suppliers, and visit manufacturing facilities.

Now, if you really like traveling and want to go a step farther, you could consider finding a job as an expat.

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These dogs have jobs. Very important (and sometimes ruff) hotel jobs.

HONOLULU − Like most other dogs, Jack enjoys basking in the sun and watching over his property through the second-floor balcony. His stuffed yellow duck may or may not be by his side. 

However, his property isn’t a house or apartment – it’s a hotel, the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, a boutique property in Waikiki. 

As his name suggests, the almost 3-year-old French and English bulldog mix is the mascot for the hotel. He has lived there his entire life, in a suite on the second floor with his owners.

“This is his domain,” said Lynette Eastman, general manager of the Surfjack and Jack’s owner. 

When he’s not perched from his lookout spot, Jack is downstairs meeting with guests and other dogs who want to play with him – it happens a few times a day – or going on walks to say hello to his neighbors. “Everybody sees him and says hi and knows this is Jack’s place.”

Learn more: Best travel insurance

The hotel is one of the few in Waikiki that welcomes pets with open arms – without an extra fee for pets or any restrictions on pet size, amount or type. “It’s more than accepting dogs, it’s wanting dogs, loving dogs,” she said. The Surfjack also has a pet photographer to capture memories people have with their pets on the property. 

The Surfjack is one hotel that is letting its guests reap the many benefits of being around dogs by adding them as canine ambassadors. Research backs why they’re called man’s best friend – dogs provide comfort and help decrease anxiety. Even just petting a dog reduces the stress hormone cortisol.

These hotels also tap into a notable demographic: dog lovers. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 48 million U.S. households have a dog . 

Hotels … have gone to the dogs

There was always a plan to get a live mascot for the Surfjack since it opened in 2016, but it wasn’t until four years later that Eastman and her husband found the right one. “That year, 2020 was a big year,” she said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic and medical problems her husband was dealing with.

“It became more important to have something that represented goodness and happiness not only for my husband and I but for the hotel, too,” Eastman said. In December 2020, she adopted Jack when he was 7 months old.

On a Saturday afternoon, a family with two little kids are playing with Jack. Eastman said they went to see Jack each day of their stay.

Running a hotel that focuses on dogs comes at “the cost of us doing business,” Eastman said. The hotel takes two days to turn over each room so carpets and couch covers can be shampooed and there’s no lingering pet smell. 

But it’s worth it, Eastman said. Having Jack and dogs around the hotel just “takes it to a whole other level.” 

More: Meet Joska: A black Lab, a service animal, and an experienced cruiser with 700 days at sea

More: Service dogs are allowed on planes, but there are some requirements to get them there

More than just a pet

Everyone in Boston knows about the Fairmont Copley Plaza’s canine ambassadors, starting with Catie Copley. In 2004, black Labrador retriever Catie Copley joined the hotel’s family and became the Fairmont Hotels & Resort’s first canine ambassador. Catie was adopted from the Guide Dog Foundation, a 77-year-old organization that empowers people with disabilities to live independently with the help of a guide dog.

Catie quickly became an icon for the hotel – and city of Boston. She had her own bed in the lobby and doghouse in the front of the hotel until she retired in 2016. Two children’s books were written about her and given to children who stayed at the hotel. Some of her fans include the late Paul Newman, who would return to the hotel with his wife to see Catie. 

“If someone’s flying all day on a plane … they’re stressed out, they’re tired,” said Joe Fallon, the hotel’s concierge for more than 17 years and canine ambassador caretaker. “They come down the main hallway and look over to the left and see (a canine ambassador), there’s a smile on their face. When they look at the dog, everything sort of melts away from what they had to go through for traveling.” 

When Catie died in 2017, Fallon received letters from all over the world, and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh declared June 23 Catie Copley Day . 

The hospitality brand has about 20 canine ambassadors across its North American properties and one in Kenya to greet guests and provide a sense of comfort. The dogs are so beloved they even have their own Instagram accounts, stuffed animals in their likeness for sale in the gift shops and, like Catie had, children’s books. All Fairmont canine ambassadors are owned by hotel staff and tag along to work with them. 

Training to be a guide dog is a “very, very rigorous” program that starts when the puppies are as young as 6 weeks old, according to Allison Storck, spokesperson for the Guide Dog Foundation.

Many of the Fairmont canine ambassadors had not gone on to be guide dogs for health or behavioral reasons. Catie was released early when she developed small cataracts in her youth. “Dogs will ultimately be dogs and remain a dog, and not necessarily go down the career path (of being a guide dog),” Storck said. Some dogs become a sniffing dog or work in a hospital as a facility dog. 

The current hotel dog is Cori Copley, another black Lab adopted from the foundation. People can reserve walks and visits with Cori. In partnership with the Guide Dog Foundation, the hotel hosts advocacy events where trainers educate the public on guide dogs. Cori can often be found at community events, such as book readings for kids. 

“It’s your dog, but you’re sharing the dog with so many people,” Fallon said. 

It’s not uncommon for travelers to spend time with Cori if they just lost a pet. People who work near the hotel often come to visit Cori if they’re having a bad day. It also has become tradition that during the Boston Marathon, the elite marathon runners stay at the Fairmont Copley Plaza and pet Cori for good luck before heading off to their race. 

“I’m no scientist or anything like that, but there’s something about dogs that make people feel better,” Fallon said. “They almost know when people have bad days. It’s hard to describe, but you see it.”

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]