 In 1966, Atwood joined the United States Foreign Service and served as a foreign service officer until January 1972.He served in U.S. Embassies in Abidjan Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire and Spain.From 1979-1981 as a presidential appointee, he was Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations during the Carter Administration, and also served in the Foreign Service Institute as dean of Professional Studies and Academic Affairs.