In Pursuit of a Career in the United States Foreign Service: Aaron Yost ’23

Aaron Yost ’23 Begins the Journey as a Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship

Aaron Yost ’23 received a Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship, which will support him in a two-year graduate program, two summer internships, and extensive professional development leading to a Foreign Service Officer position in the U.S. Department of State. Yost started a master's in public affairs and international relations at Princeton University in Fall 2024.

“I am honored to be selected as a 2024 Pickering Fellow. This program will allow me to attend graduate school and then pursue my dream of serving my country as a U.S. diplomat. I am so grateful to the many professors, mentors, and friends who have supported me on this journey, and I hope that my career in public service will make them proud,” said Yost, a 2023 Grinnell College graduate from Holland, Michigan.

In his first year of the graduate program, Yost has taken coursework in political science and international relations with experts in the field. He has been impressed with the “high-profile world leaders,” professors with direct experience in the current international political sphere, from whom he’s been able to learn in his classes. Alongside his studies, Yost is involved in a Mid-career program, where he has had the opportunity to network with classmates via regular dinners over which they discuss career journeys. Additionally, with the support of Princeton’s career department, Yost has had the opportunity to go on professional development trips, most recently attending a UN general assembly in New York with classmates. “It’s networking with really interesting people,” he commented. 

Yost’s curiosity for foreign service began in his first year of college following a conversation with his tutorial advisor. “I had never heard of the foreign service until I came to Grinnell...as I learned more about it, I grew more and more interested,” he said.

Alongside his political science major, Yost went on to explore and enrich his interest in foreign service through relevant professional development experiences. During his time at Grinnell, he interned with the Office of Foreign Missions at the Department of State, two think tanks, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. 

Yost’s experience and dedication to public service led him to pursue the Truman Scholarship, for which he became a Grinnell nominee. He was also named a Gilman Scholarship recipient, studying abroad twice—first with the Grinnell-in-London program, and later in Amman, Jordan. His academic and social experiences abroad, in addition to those at Grinnell, have been foundational preparation for his career in diplomacy. He shared that,“the diversity of Grinnell’s student body showed me that I enjoyed talking to people of all different backgrounds and walks of life and that it was something that I could carry into my career.” 

Last year, Yost worked as an international affairs fellow with Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, where he learned about congress’ role in foreign policy work. During this time, he lived as one of few Americans at the International Student House in Washington D.C. By living there, he notes that he “got to practice people-to-people diplomacy skills, talk to people from all around the world about policy and diplomacy in the United States, and build friendships and connections with them,” expanding upon foundational skills he uses both personally and professionally. Over his last winter break, Yost visited classmates in their home city of Bogotá, Colombia, exploring the country with his newfound connections.

Upon completion of his master's degree, Yost hopes to begin a career as a U.S. diplomat with a focus on the Middle East. 

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship program, named after distinguished U.S. Diplomat Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering, offers a unique opportunity to promote positive change in the world. The program provides a source of trained professionals who are dedicated to pursuing Foreign Service careers with the Department of State and representing America’s interests abroad. It is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University.

For guidance and advising on pursuing a career in government and foreign service, make an appointment through Handshake with Donna Miller, interim advising for government, law, and policy career community & assistant dean and executive director of career communities.

For additional information about the Pickering Graduate Fellowship, visit https://pickeringfellowship.org/about/ and make an advising meeting with Ann Landstrom, assistant dean and director of global fellowships and awards, through Handshake or alumni email landstrom@grinnell.edu.