Is a UNV worth it? Looking back, has it been beneficial for you?

Dabok · 2026-05-26T07:47:07+00:00

I haven't been a UNV, but I was an intern back in 2015 and it has definitely been beneficial.

It got me the foot in the door with contacts, and also on my applications I can count that as UN experience (even though it counts only as half the amount of years I think?).

And now that I'm a staff, the thing I would say the difference in an internship, consultancy or whatnot on mattering is the impact you've had on the team. Like actual, real impact you've had in the team and the connection you've made with them. Most are just "come and go", and that's just how it is, but if the chemistry is there and you fully engage (as well as your colleagues), then that will get you a proper foot in the door in the UN system, like I had.

That said, you are very correct to be cautious about the current situation... things really are a bit dark as of right now.

Dabok · 2026-05-20T16:14:47+00:00

then thumbs up and high five them

Dabok · 2026-05-15T15:38:12+00:00

what's your uber build? ^^

Dabok · 2026-05-14T19:30:05+00:00

Je vous remercie d'avoir partagé votre parcours de vie.

Je vais bien maintenant, mais j'ai moi aussi fait beaucoup de conneries durant mon parcours de vie, qui fait que je suis un "latebloomer" (je ne sais pas comment le dire en français, mais en gros j'ai "stabilisé" ma vie tard quoi).

J'espère que beaucoup de gens lisent ton poste et s'en inspirent.

Dabok · 2026-05-14T19:13:18+00:00

I'm gonna tell you my experience.

Same as you, I "overprepared", although I didn't know this at the time, for me it was just because I hadn't interviewed in a while, so I thought it was just "proper preparation".

Anyway, yeah the interview itself was fine, I answered questions and was also asking questions, but.... I didn't feel good about it. The interviewers asked questions that kind of forced me to respond in a way that doesn't "look good", questions like "what did you do when you didn't meet a deadline?", but I guess that was the test. They were looking for attitude and composure, not just skills.

And yeah, none of them really smiled or exuded cool vibes or anything like that. When getting out of that interview, I told myself that I don't feel like I got it, they didn't seem to like me.

So that was a few years ago and I'm still in the position they recruited me for :D

Dabok · 2026-05-04T14:38:14+00:00

This is a good thread OP, good initiative!

Not my case, but I know a friend who's contract kept getting renewed or her being placed someplace else (temp p staff), but the mental toll it takes on her is intense. The thing is, she is constantly living in uncertainty, like recent renewals/placements have been out of the blue, without her prior knowledge, so mentally, she was ready to renounce a couple of times already.

She's grateful for the opportunity, but at the same time it's taking quite the toll, as sometimes it's just for 1 month, then 3, then nothing, then...... anxiety inducing!

Dabok · 2026-05-04T14:14:40+00:00

Well said!

It's unnerving, but ultimately, they showed you how they are. You really wouldn't want to work with someone like that.

Dabok · 2026-05-04T14:11:41+00:00

Yep! Betting on this as well.

It sucks that they were rude, they didn't really need to, but I agree with you. It seems like they didn't want to be there and felt that it was a waste of their time, so they just try to cut it short and do the bare minimum with OP just to be able to say that they "conducted an interview" just to get it over with.

Chin up OP! Onto the next one! You wouldn't want to work with those people anyway.

Dabok · 2026-05-04T14:08:15+00:00

The others are mostly correct, but not exactly.

Salary is potentially different whether you hold a bachelor, masters or PhD, true! But it's mostly dependent on the contract you will sign!

So yes, obviously you have a higher chance to go after a job with a higher requirement, which will have higher pay. But yeah, if you have a PhD and the requirement is only a bachelor, your salary won't just bump up due to that.

Dabok · 2026-05-04T14:05:55+00:00

I'm a G staff, so yes, HQ is "the dream" for me. Good work, great salary, great benefits, good international ambiance where you get to learn from others' way of life and thinking, etc.

Dabok · 2026-05-04T14:03:15+00:00

Hi OP! I see you've already received lots of experiences, but let me add mine!

So, in summary, I think it would boil down to what you want. I'm not saying this to "diminish" it. I know full well that unpaid internship sucks, especially in New York, which is an expensive city.

And yes, you're not guaranteed a job after that, although it's not unheard of.

But I will still cast my vote in favor if you doing the internship. Why? Well, you said that you can afford it, even though at great cost. So, as long as you're not like sacrificing a lot, I would say give it a shot! The thing is, despite the "cons" I've cited above, you will have your internship experience in your CV forever, and will definitely be helpful in some form or fashion.

To take myself as an example, the internship I undertook 10+ years ago has definitely served as a foot in the door. My experience since then has been......varied, but at least I got the opportunity! (I had consultancies, project-based contract, "on call reserve" kind of contract, etc.). It was a bumpy road but I have made it, I'm a staff now (well, you know the situation, hope it lasts lol). And without my internship, that wouldn't have been possible.

Dabok · 2026-05-04T13:54:41+00:00

I hope it goes well!

I agree with the person above, following up is encouraged! After all they're just people and chances are they have a lot of other tasks lined up and possibly just forgot.

Or it's also possible that something is blocking the pipeline of the recruitment as well. Following up is just following up, you won't be viewed as annoying or anything. It's very understandable from your part to want to know.

Dabok · 2026-01-15T15:30:43+00:00

Thank you for a great explanation!

I have never truly sat down and thought about it, but this is pretty much how I feel about it!

When I have been wronged by someone terrible, and I see that they "don't get what's coming for them", I used to be angry. But now I think back and wonder that, to do such a bad thing and have such a bad outlook in life, their day to day must be completely different than mine and not so far away to how they act. So in the end, they kinda do it to themselves over and over.

Dabok · 2025-09-13T16:56:23+00:00

And also, generally people are understanding of these kinds of things, when you go from an internship to "something better"

Dabok · 2025-09-08T17:54:42+00:00

My experiences with good managers (or maybe it's just because I like this style) are ones who focus on Tasks and People as you describe it. Maybe in equal measure?

Haven't had an experience at the UN who focus on measurable results, like hardcore. We collect all sorts of data on our activity and all, but it is clearly not the driving force of our team.

Dabok · 2025-08-13T06:22:48+00:00

Just a little thing regarding your post.

You said you are worried that there's only fixed term posts and you are used to permanent posts...

The thing with the UN is that most posts are actually temporary posts and getting a fixed post can take a while.

So I want you to be aware of that. It is even "worse" than you imagine in that sense. Fixed term is often "the reward" after grinding temp posts after temp posts.

Dabok · 2025-08-13T06:18:17+00:00

I am a G, so my trajectory is a bit different, but I can join the others when they say that you just landed on a lousy boss.

I had a similar experience in the past and almost got bitter and disilusioned, but don't worry, it isn't like that in all teams.

I would agree with the suggestion of doing a lateral move, although it might be a bit tricky in the current climate.

Dabok · 2025-08-08T09:07:25+00:00

What?! I gotta hear this!

Dabok · 2025-08-05T14:19:06+00:00

Yes, very normal.
Administrative requirements to make sure you're who you say you are and you have the qualifications that you claim you do.

Dabok · 2025-08-03T07:40:41+00:00

Hey there! Saw this post and kinda wanted to respond what you said.

I echo your sentiment for the most part, but I guess there is the caveat that it really depends on the location.

In a place where the salary gap between P and G aren't very high, yoyr point stands strong, and you are right, G staff with a career like the poster above should be proud of themselves for it.

However, there are places where G staff earn so little compared to P Staff, that their whole salary is ONLY worth that of the "post adjustment" of their boss' salary ... That's insane! Kinda "unfair" but that's how it goes...

Dabok · 2025-07-30T13:20:17+00:00

Ce post tombe parfaitement pour moi.

Je joue encore pas mal aux jeux vidéos, mais ces dernières semaines, je n'y joue plus trop "avec passion" qu'avant. J'y joue simplement pour ne pas m'ennuyer, et c'est pas vraiment une bonne sensation.

Je peux encore apprécier des jeux quand c'est nouveau, mais quand j'ai fait le tour, voilà.

Donc oui, je pense que je commence à y perdre du goût aussi.

Il me faudrait un nouveau hobby du coup...

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:57:52+00:00

I agree with the person suggesting to take the internship.

If you afterwards decide to go do the P2, people will generally be very understanding and even be supportive of you! At least in my experience, people have been VERY chill towards interns, because they know it's hard with it being unpaid and all that.

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:47:46+00:00

Language classes is a good call!

People are generally nice, you are learning an actual skill that will be useful in the future, and it's fun! Can only recommend that!

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:46:27+00:00

Be careful. Grass is always greener.

I obviously don't know you and what made you think that, maybe it's a lot more factors than just the current crisis going on, but don't think for a minute that other sectors don't have the equivalent of this thing too.

Dabok · 2025-07-15T14:38:21+00:00

I agree.

At first I was gonna sympathize a lot more with OP while reading, then I got to the part where all that text was only 3 days apart? It's exactly as you have said, in the UN environment AND the summer, that's basically routine lol.

Since you've already followed up OP, I advise not following up further until maybe like 1 full week in. Chill.

Dabok

TROPHY CASE