How to get an internship at the UN? This question is on the minds of many people who aspire to obtain valuable practical experience.
Oh, getting an internship at the UN is impossible, and after several applications, I never received a response. We hear about failed attempts more frequently than successful ones.
Today, we’ll discover the reality, determine whether or not it’s hard to obtain a UN internship, and provide you with some helpful advice.
In order to compare different interns’ perspectives on this issue in an objective manner, we have referred to a number of individuals who have completed two or more internships at the UN. , We’ll impart these wise and useful pieces of advice to you based on their own experience.
How Hard is It to Get an Internship at the UN?
It’s actually not as challenging as one may imagine. Organizing yourself and trying are the keys to participate in a United Nations Internship Program , according to an intern who completed two 9-month internships there.
“Nevertheless, a lot relies on the UN organization, and its Headquarters and how many interns opportunities are available. It’s harder to get internships in headquarters than it is in the field mission. More challenging due to a large number of candidates,” said a former legal officer of UNDP.
It is feasible since there is no requirement to be the top student with the greatest grade point average or attend Harvard (you can be considered even if you have attended unknown institutes). Individual genius obviously takes precedence over the reputation of the university. By the way, proficiency in all UN languages is not necessary; English can be sufficient. There were many interns who could only speak 1 or maybe 2 languages well. According to an intern at UNESCAP, everything relies on the country and functional area you apply to.
How to Improve Your Odds of Getting a UN Internship?
Obtain the Necessary Experience
If you have the time to prepare in advance, obtain the necessary experience. Demonstrate that you are genuinely interested in the position or industry you are aiming for. Examine the subject by reading. Make a first experience. Travel. Volunteer. Display your adherence to the highest possible level of UN values.
Select Appropriate UN Internship
Choose UN internships with criteria and responsibilities that you can meet or that you have experience performing. Sincerely to say, not every applicant for an internship satisfies the standards listed in position descriptions. It’s a rather common situation. Therefore, bear in mind that requirements are crucial. For example, you should speak French well if the intern should have exceptional French language skills. There are no exceptions.
When selecting a United Nations Internship Program you also need to think if the posts fit your profile and your field of interest and consider the location of the internship as well as your financial situation. Do you have enough money to travel and maintain a standard of living in another country, or would it be preferable to take an internship at the UN office that is closest to you?
Submit Several Applications
But the odds increase with the number of applications. Browse the offerings at various UN offices around the world. The more applications you submit, the higher opportunities that someone will get in touch with you.
Make a Strong Resume and Motivation Letter
Demonstrate how you differ from your competitors with only one page. Reuse the vocabulary from the post description in order to assist convince recruiters that you are a good fit.
Get Ready for the interview
The interview is really intensive, in-depth, detail-oriented and project-specific. For the aim of an analytical discussion in the interview, you may find a lot of research papers, current projects, case studies, as well as proposals. Convey your genuine curiosity. Make the additional effort. Give your opinions and provide some fresh ideas. Would you be compatible with UN values and workplace culture? Are you able to work in a multicultural atmosphere with strict deadlines? Show them. Let them know about it.
Be Patient
Be ready to wait a long time. Your application typically gets placed in a queue. It is initially examined to see if you actually meet the requirements. After that, it goes into the recruiters’ small “Resume box.” They will look for profiles every time they have a need to fill. It might take some time to do it. In the case that you are selected for further consideration, the UN office will send you an email. Processing applications for a United Nations Internship Program typically takes between 3.5 and 4 months.
Required Skills to Get UN Internship (read carefully)
The skills needed to be successful as a UN Intern may vary according to the programme you work for and the precise role you occupy. Nonetheless, there are a few common skills that the UN demands of its interns:
Communication
As an intern, you’ll probably be providing support to a range of participants in your program. Hence, it’s critical to have effective communication skills, including the capacity to listen intently, understand others’ meanings accurately, seek clarification, and transfer messages across parties. Also, since you can be collaborating with people from various backgrounds, you need to be able to modify your language to suit the preferences and cultural sensitivities of your audience.
Organizing and planning
The tasks you do may change from day to day, so you should be able to take your tasks, organize them by priority, and come up with a strategy that works for the organization. You should be able to plan ahead and anticipate barriers to make it easier to complete your responsibilities since priorities may change during the day. With effective use of your time and other resources, organizational skills may assist you with planning and execution.
Teamwork
Teamwork is the capacity to cooperate effectively with others in order to advance organizational objectives. Learning from those around you is one of an intern’s responsibilities, and collaboration promotes this learning dynamic. You should also be able to recognize the requirements and objectives of the team and put them ahead of your own as a support member.
Client orientation
Client orientation is the philosophy (way of thinking) that aims to comprehend the requirements of the people you serve. Everyone you or your United Nations Internship Program works with or tries to assist might be thought of as a client in the context of an internship at the UN. You can win their trust and come up with ideas that will benefit them if you make an effort to see things from their point of view.
UN Official Website
After reading the tips on how to get a scholarship at the UN and applying them, you can apply for any United Nations Internship Program with confidence. All you have to do is enter the UN official website or its affiliated organizations and search for internships that suit your qualifications and aspirations.
Click here in order to choose the United Nations Internship Program that fits you.
Read also, United Nations Internship 2023 (With Free Certificate)
This can also be beneficial: Paid UNDP Internship 2023 Part/Full Time
