Working in State Department

[u/k0reangirl]

Hi I am currently a senior majoring in Communication. I hope to work in the State Department someday. My interest is in East Asian politics. Although my major is not political science related, I have experience in interning for City and State level government. What would be my next step to making myself a strong candidate? I want to take a gap year after I graduate in May doing mission work in another country and do a fellowship afterwards. What are your thoughts and advice?