<p>Ok, so here is the deal...I am a senior at BC in Mass. and I graduate in May. My plan is to move to or near New York City and work for the UN eventually. I have been interested in working for the United Nations for years now and I really would need some practical advice on how to get there. So, I thought that I'd turn to this forum since there seems to be some helpful advice going around.</p>
<p>Since I realize a BA is not quite enough, my idea is to attend an MA program in International affairs/relations at a decent school and, in the process, secure an internship with the UN or UN-affiliated organization (so that eventually, I can step inside "the door," professionally speaking that is). My GPA is approx. a 3.4 but I have a very nice list of extra curriculars. I have also taken the GRE (V710 & Q640) and the LSAT (unfortuately, not what I had originally imagined:a 157). But I have no intention of going to law school anymore! I have been seriously considering NYU's SCPS with its Global Affairs MA. However, my only concern is that NYU's program isn't as specialized or well known enough in IR as I would want. Columbia's SIPA, on the other hand, is too much of a reach I'm afraid but also, interestingly, has little to do with the UN I've found. Seton Hall's Whitehead School, conversely, seems to have very strong connections to the UN and I am pretty sure I would stand a decent chance of being accepted (not to sound overconfident) but, although very close, it is outside of the city. Fordham's IPE program: again, good chance of acceptance but not my cup of soup because it does not have a specialized school with a reputation in the field. I've also heard of The New School but, the only way I would go there is if they'd give me some scholarship $$$ but, apparently, that is not common for MA programs.</p>
<p>I would really appreciate any advice ASAP, especially, if you have been in a similar circumstance as I am in right now. Thanks!!!!</p>
<p>You pretty much narrowed it down yourself. If you can't get into Columbia then try Seton Hall. Even if you choose the latter, you'll still have a solid degree in the field and you'll be saving quite a bit too (the Ivy League is quite expensive these days). Also, every school is going to have pros and cons. However, I personally would not bother with NYU because if you're looking to go into the field you'll NEED the connections, which NYU's program unfortunately seems to lack, relatively speaking. Good luck.</p>
<p>I was a graduate intern myself at the UN in 2005 and believe me, if you think you are going to simply walk in there with a degree in tow and get a job...you are going to get a huge wake up call. Sure some positions are available, but they are mainly in the G-level non-professional positions (i.e. security guard, tour guides etc). If you're thinking of starting at the G-level, THINK AGAIN. They do not offer promotions past the G-5 level. And you are obiligated to do 5 years. Thinking that will get your foot in the door, is logical but they don't see it that way. I have freinds who have been doing both G-level positions in addition to volunteer work there for more than 5 years now and hthing has opened up for them. My girlfreind right now is at a G-level position and is desperately trying to earn a P-Level position as an interpreter, but she's eligible primarily because she can speak 3 languages fluently..and as a requirement she'll have to learn another, but I think she'll make it. Mind you, she doesn't have a graduate degree. Your best bet it to get a degree in IR from somewhere, and then GO abroad for 5-10 years and then come back and apply. It's your best bet. </p>
<p>And lastly, I've interned with all types of students from the PhD Oxford types to Harvard and Yale ilk and NONE of them ended up with an actual job in the UN. From what I've observed, Columbia is probably the most highly represented student population in terms of interns in the UN... and many...and I mean MANY of them struggled to get anything. I had a french collegue from SIPA who scratched, and crawled by contacting alumni to get a position with the UNDP and they only offered him a temporary 2 month contract. If he was struggling there, I can't even imagine NYU doing anything for you there because they virtually have no presense there academically. I'm not trying to disuade from trying, but I am only giving you an idea of what to expect if you do decide to come here. All the "connections" in the world are not going to get you the position...you'll have to enter the scramble just like everyone else. In order to even be eligible for a P-level position you need SEVERAL YEARS (10+) of relevent international experience to even meet the qualification requirements. Secondly, you have to pass an exam, BUT before you do that you have to be from a member state that is eligible to take that exam and there's a good chance that someone from an underdeveloped nation will get the nod to take it before you do. And lastly, if a position does open up, expect to compete with 3-500 people for the same position. This is NOT the State Department; merely passing the exam isn't going to funnel you and many others into a possibility of getting a position that has several openings. It simply doesn't work that way.</p>
<p>Sphere, I think I can safely say that the UN and its related orgs are literally huge! From the UNU to the various UNA's, the many Councils, the observers, the ICJ, the UNDP and I won't even begin mentioning all the IGOs and NGOs involved. Sure it's competitive to work with the UN but it's certainly not impossible as you seem to suggest. I myself interned at UNA-USA through the Whitehead School and, as strange as it may sound, I worked with a Columbia student AND NYU student. I know of fellow alumni who now work there permanently.</p>
<p>But, Sphere, I might not be understanding your position. Are you only talking about jobs in the General Secretariat? Those, I know, are very difficult to get. But with all the other opportunities my best advice is to stand out in some way or another. If you know foreign languages (especially those that count), that is helpful. But, I must agree with MitchR, connections are KEY in the UN. As a matter of fact, I can say it is almost all about connections. </p>
<p>Just another piece of advice for Thibodeaux is to try interning with Consulates in NYC. Diplomats can open the door for you. Also, I personally know that the Whitehead School has several adjuncts that work normally for the General Secretariat. If you can manage to have faculty like this write you a recommendation for an internship, you have a great advantage. </p>
<p>If you still have questions, try speaking to a professor at the Whitehead School or SIPA or NYU. I can certainly vouge that professors will be very willing to talk to you and give you valuable advice from the inside. </p>
<p>Oh and experience DOES matter. But how can you get experience if, initially, a door isn't opened for you? The key is to step in the right door. After all, everyone starts somewhere.</p>
<p>If you have any questions from me, happy to help...leave me a message or post.</p>
<p>I do not have any first-hand experience with the UN, but I know several people that do. If you are serious about this, you should consider working abroad for the next few years instead of going directly to grad school. Doing so would make you much more competitive for SIPA, and could help you develop your language skills. If you went to the right country, there is also the possibility that you would be able to find an internship in a satellite UN office. Another option for you would be to stay in the US and work for an NGO that deals with the UN, and hopefully cultivate a few contacts on the inside. </p>
<p>My gut reaction after reading your original post is that you are underestimating how difficult is is to work for the UN. The UN has quotas on how many people it can hire from any given country, which puts Americans at a huge disadvantage. Dual citizenship would be enormous advantage for you. If you do not have some sort of unique technical ability, expect to need proficiency in several languages and at least one advanced degree from a top school. I am not suggesting that you should give up your goal, but understand that achieving it may take awhile.</p>
<p>I agree that there are a multititude of opportunities of working indirectly with the United Nations through a number of related agencies. The UNA comes to mind fairly easy, but I was primarily refering to the Secreteriet itself (which is what I thought the OP was speaking in reference to). The UNA chapters for the most part are grassroots organizations just as any other NGO. I'd venture to say that they are significantly less competitive for internship and employment opportunities if they are available at the time that you apply. However I will say that the UNA chapter in NY is quite competitive. I myself completed two internships with the UN; one with a UNA chapter in another state, which was easily acquired by a simple phone call and a fax machine and the second in the Secreteriet DPA PPU through a very close knit carefully tuned set of "connections." I was "lucky" to say the least. As for employment, working for the UNDP, ECOSOC, UNESCO, UN Volunteers or the Junior Professional program is VERY tough to get into. Simply having a degree regardless of the institution is probably not going to get you the job. From what I gather through experience, the UN is not exactly hieararchal in how they perceive academic institutions. Lengthy and extensive experience in a very underdeveloped country is very attractive to the UN. </p>
<p>If he intends on obtaining an internship by merely speaking with professors--then good luck. IMO they will give them the same speil that they give all of their students who have the same aspirations. My advice to the OP would be to talk with someone who works there directly and pass there resume along to them and try to gain access to someone who actually has interns working under them. Unless you can put together a stellar application, simply placing your resume on a stack of hundreds of other resumes is a quick way to to not getting the internship. THose who are slected along that rout, normally have very competitive backgrounds in addition to very strong language skills.</p>