Do NOT Apply to the UN without this...

Summary

In this video, Kaylee discusses the educational backgrounds and experiences that can lead to employment at the United Nations. She analyzes UN staff categories, highlighting that professional positions often require a master's degree and relevant experience. Kaylee emphasizes the importance of social science degrees and shares her insights on the value of fieldwork, government or policy experience, and 'trailblazing' initiatives. She also introduces Blue Marble Jobs, a job board simplifying the search for international organization vacancies.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The United Nations employs over 116,000 people globally, with staff categorized into four main groups: International Professionals, National Professionals, Field Service, and General Service.
• 🎓 For most UN professional positions, a Master's degree and relevant experience are typically required, with a notable preference for social science backgrounds.
• 🏛️ Common undergraduate degrees among UN staff include International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Law, History, Sociology, and Communications.
• 💼 Business and technology-related educational backgrounds are becoming more prevalent as the UN expands its private sector partnerships and integrates technology into its work.
• 🌟 Specialized Master's degrees that align with UN's work areas, such as Human Rights, Peace Security, International Development, and Environment, can significantly enhance job prospects.
• 🏞️ Fieldwork experience, particularly in developing or fragile states, is highly valued and can be a key differentiator for job applicants.
• 🏢 Prior experience in government or policy work is advantageous due to the UN's nature as an intergovernmental organization.
• 🚀 'Trailblazing' experience, which demonstrates initiative, vision, and a drive for change, can make a candidate stand out to UN hiring managers.
• 🔄 Switching from General Service to Professional Service within the UN is challenging, suggesting it's more strategic to enter the Professional Service track directly.
• 🔗 Blue Marble Jobs is highlighted as a valuable resource for job seekers, offering a centralized job board and email alerts for international organization vacancies.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video 'Hippie in a Suit' by Kaylee?

The main topic of the video is sustainability and providing tips for getting a job at the United Nations, focusing on the types of education and experience that are relevant for UN positions.

How many people does the United Nations employ worldwide according to the video?

The United Nations employs 116,388 people worldwide, but this number does not include consultants and interns, which means the actual number of people working in the organization is higher.

What are the four main categories of UN staff mentioned in the video?

The four main categories of UN staff are International Professionals, National Professionals, Field Service, and General Service.

What percentage of the UN workforce do International Professionals make up?

International Professionals make up 35% of the total workforce.

What is the largest category of UN staff and what percentage do they constitute?

The largest category of UN staff is General Service, which constitutes 48% of the total workforce.

What types of educational backgrounds are commonly seen in UN positions according to Kaylee's experience?

Common educational backgrounds in UN positions include international relations, political science, economics, law, history, sociology, and communications.

What is the significance of having a Master's degree when applying for UN professional positions?

Having a Master's degree is generally required for UN professional positions, as it indicates a higher level of specialization and expertise in a field related to the work of the UN.

What is the role of fieldwork experience in enhancing a candidate's profile for UN positions?

Fieldwork experience, particularly in a context different from one's own, is valued as it demonstrates an understanding of working in diverse environments and often involves dealing with real-world challenges.

Why is government or policy work experience considered valuable in the context of the UN?

Government or policy work experience is valuable because the UN is a mechanism for cooperation among member countries, and understanding how governments work is beneficial for UN roles.

What is the advice given for someone interested in moving from general service to professional service within the UN?

It is advised to focus on gaining an internship and working towards a consultancy or staff position in the professional service rather than trying to switch from general service, as the latter is more challenging.

What does Kaylee suggest as a strategy for someone who wants to work in a specific field within the UN?

Kaylee suggests that if someone wants to work in a specific field within the UN, they should pursue a Master's degree that aligns with that field to position themselves correctly for such roles.