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Grads going global: Securing a job at the United Nations

How can your graduate degree help you if you are interested in pursuing a career in the United Nations? David Ainsworth, program officer, outreach and major groups for the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity of the United Nations in Montreal provides some helpful hints.

Career Corner 2009

Presenter: David Ainsworth, program officer, Outreach and Major Groups, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity of the United Nations in Montreal

Does my graduate degree matter? (4:59)

0:00 - 1:45    Why you need a post-grad degree
1:45 - 3:56    The subject of your thesis is important
3:56 - 4:49    What is the motivation behind your thesis?

The importance of networking (5:08)

0:00 - 2:08    Importance of internships
2:08 - 2:42    Try and do some work abroad
2:42 - 4:01    Adapting to new colleagues
4:01 - 4:35    Get some language skills
4:35 - 4:58    Use your connections

Listen to career advisors (3:57)

0:00 - 0:49    You have to network
0:49 - 1:26    Presentation skills
1:26 - 1:56    Revamp & target your CV
1:56 - 3:14    Have patience
3:14 - 3:47    Have a backup plan

Getting your foot in the door (6:27)

0:00 - 1:08    The first contact
1:08 - 1:41    Researching the organization
1:41 - 2:50    Qualification exams
2:50 - 5:02    Applying for jobs posted on the UN website
5:02 - 6:17    Where are the UN agencies?

Going back to academics (2:22)

0:00 - 1:34    Try and get published
1:34 - 2:12    Later career option
 

Balancing family and career (2:06)

0:00 - 1:03    Is your partner ready to move
1:03 - 1:56    Travel requirements

Securing an internship (3:09)

0:00 - 1:15    Suggesting an internship
1:15 - 2:11    UNV internships
2:11 - 2:59    Looking outside the UN system