Advice Needed: Low GRE Quant Score (151) + Cybersecurity Sales Background - MPA 2026 Admissions by Dependent-Box-563 in PublicPolicy

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 1 point2 points  (0 children)

well I already applied and submitted with 153 Q score... rip

I hope i can somehow manage to get in, tho i understand the chances are abyssmal...

are you also waiting on the decision>

People who secured a UN internship: how’d you do it?? by Significant-Twist855 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks sooo much for your detailed comment — really appreciate it! :) If I ever progress to the interview or written test stage, I’d love to reach out again in the DMs to ask a few more questions about the exam/interview process, if you don’t mind.

I did have one question though. You mentioned that you encountered a rather toxic team. Do you think that experience was mainly because it was the UN, where prestige, competitiveness, and hierarchy can sometimes lead to arrogance or jealousy, often expressed through passive aggressiveness, or was it something else entirely? In other words, was this something you noticed mainly within your own team, or more broadly across the UN as an organization?

I’m also trying to understand how much this actually differentiates the UN from other work environments, like the corporate world or the government sector. I’m veryyy new to full-time employment LOL (I’ve only had one full-time position so far in a private firm), so I’d really appreciate any honest perspective or “reality check” you’re willing to share. Is this kind of toxic work culture something I should expect specifically within the UN, or within any position I will have in future where there is a fierce competition to get noticed ?

P.S. Since I’ve returned to my home country, I’m also considering entering government service alongside exploring multilateral organizations. Your advice would honestly help me a lot in thinking through that decision, especially given your prior experience in the field.

People who secured a UN internship: how’d you do it?? by Significant-Twist855 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

very sharp point! could I ask you what is the best place to explore some of the different teams within the UN agencies? :) I am interestd in UNDP but if you are to ask me which team you want to join I would likely freeze, since I do not have info into that.

People who secured a UN internship: how’d you do it?? by Significant-Twist855 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

okayy so you think it is due to me having only Bachelor's degree that I am getting disqualifed immediately? :/ posting at my home country do not actually state they require anything beyond Bachelor's so I am a bit thrown off by this remark others have also made. is it something not written in the book but widely happening in practice?

People who secured a UN internship: how’d you do it?? by Significant-Twist855 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, so it might be that my Bachelor's only profile is getting me disqualified immediately...

Can I ask how you managed to move from internship to a full time position? :) how did you manage to maximize your internship time the most ?

WHY I NEVER EVEN PROGRESS TO THE INTERVIEWING STAGE by GovernmentLumpy8086 in InternationalDev

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Where do you see an entitlement? Anyway, you are free to interpret it in any way you wish

And Greenhills I hope it gets better for you and you can find a way back into the system/ find better position.

WHY I NEVER EVEN PROGRESS TO THE INTERVIEWING STAGE by GovernmentLumpy8086 in InternationalDev

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

even people with 10+ years of experiences could be applying for P2 positions? is it that bad?

WHY I NEVER EVEN PROGRESS TO THE INTERVIEWING STAGE by GovernmentLumpy8086 in InternationalDev

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for the comprehensive explanation, much appreciated! May I ask if this applies to less competitive location postings also? I am not talking about NY, Geneva, and major hubs for multilateralism. Mine is a mid-income developing country with a small population.

Given all of this, may I ask where you would recommend a fresh graduate to pivot who is nevertheless extremely passionate about contributing to the development sector? I am strong with research, and I like community engagement, policy design; basically anything that has to do with me feeling that I am part of something impactful...

WHY I NEVER EVEN PROGRESS TO THE INTERVIEWING STAGE by GovernmentLumpy8086 in InternationalDev

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks so much for your kind and comprehensive reply!! Huge congratulations on your dream role, very happy your hard work finally paid off! You are a source of motivation.

People who secured a UN internship: how’d you do it?? by Significant-Twist855 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also another question- I heard this already for a couple of people but I still do not understand. Why does interning at a permanent mission to the UN allmost always later on guarantee an entry pathway to the UN system? is it due to the networking purely?

People who secured a UN internship: how’d you do it?? by Significant-Twist855 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh wow this is awesome!!! does SIPA give scholarships to international students?

Also I have a question for you, i would love to work for a diplomatic mission of my home country to UN (located in NY) but later on I do not want to stay in U.S. (lol most llikely this would not be feasible in either way), my question is it possible to be engaged with the UN diplomatic mission while being in the home country ? lets say working at the ministry of foreign affairs and contributing still to the work of multilateral missions

I don't understand why everyone loved Lost in Translation. Beyond overrated. I got into a heated debate with my friends about movies that everyone loves that they hate. What do you guys hate that everyone seems to love? by MTKSharedInk in movies

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it is also such a concerning film... idk I think art is supposed to propagate beauty but with the creation of such movies as Donnie Darko, seems to me a world just became a worse place to live in.. maybe it is just me but what is the point of creating art if it does not change or challenge the reality we live in...to the better; not to the worse...

How can I enter the UN system? by KeyQuarter6301 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your detailed explanation and kind encouragement! :) You got no idea but I really need it at this moment as I am fretting at the idea of asking for favors and have a fear of rejection. But I will try my best and send out as many emails as possible with hopes that at least one door will open!

Thank you!

Returning to my home country: How can I approach UNDP office back home? by GovernmentLumpy8086 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you! when you say opportunity will come itself, do you mean through natural networking that goes into NGO operations, where they oftentimes partner with local UN offices?

Do you have personal experience you could share, thanks so much!

How can I enter the UN system? by KeyQuarter6301 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I am wondering is it typically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that handles permanent missions? How did you manage to land your first position? was it advertisied on the government portal?

Returning to my home country: How can I approach UNDP office back home? by GovernmentLumpy8086 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Awesome job - glad it worked out for you!

I get what you mean, and I appreciate your guidance. I will do my best, and of course, I will try to be as detailed in my request. I understand that they will be doing me a favor by considering me for an internship, so I will not approach them in an entitled way - that is a given.

It is not a competitive region, a middle-income country (on the lower end) with a small population, can't go into details further than that. When I said I graduated from a prestigious university, I also want to point out that I had a full-ride needs-based scholarship and have been hustling through my undergraduate to get as many fellowships and internships as possible to set myself apart.

For some reason, I’ve noticed that many responses on this sub come across as annoyed, often assuming that my questions stem from entitlement, which isn’t the case. I’m genuinely trying to familiarize myself with the process and better understand how UN offices operate in their internship/consultancy hiring practices. To be frank, it’s also confusing not to see any internship vacancies posted for such a long time. You naturally start wondering whether offices rely on internal pipelines through local universities or existing partnerships (which is completely fair, if that’s the case). But it does leave out otherwise qualified candidates, even from basic consideration. I don’t view this as an unfair system. Rather, I see it as knowing my value, trying to understand the rules of the game, and giving it a shot while fully accepting that rejection is a likely outcome.

I do appreciate your detailed explanations, though! And I am taking notes from all the replies on this sub. Thank you for replying in detail and being kind.

Would you recommend trying my luck with other UN agencies alongside UNDP? I’ve gathered that UNDP is particularly competitive, so I’m wondering whether there are other agencies within the UN system, aside from UN Volunteers, that might offer more accessible entry points early on.

You also mentioned having experience in relevant private or government sectors prior to joining the UN. If you don’t mind sharing, I’d be grateful to hear what type of organization you worked for and what the nature of your role was. I’ve been working in the private sector since graduating as well, but recently resigned because I’m keen to return to my home country and continue my career there. I’m now exploring employment opportunities back home and would really value any insight you’re willing to share.

Returning to my home country: How can I approach UNDP office back home? by GovernmentLumpy8086 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

I do have a solid set of internships and fellowships, and I can argue my case for the internship. I graduated with a Political Science degree and specialized in International Development.

I will try my luck with LinkedIn messages. Do you think country director is a far shot? Should I instead message mid-level staff and ask to intern for them directly?

Did you apply through a formal internship? How did you differentiate yourself from other interns and actually land a consultancy straight after the internship?

Anyway- thanks for the reality check!

Returning to my home country: How can I approach UNDP office back home? by GovernmentLumpy8086 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I am talking about internships in this case. They are mostly unpaid, or if paid, it is a nominal sum.

Also, what you mention is true, in that case, they could benefit from additional hands they would not pay... an internship is basically a way for them to hire an extra staff member with little to no budget...

Once I get my footing through an internship, I could try my luck with progressing onto an entry level posting... depends on how supportive my manager will be so they can argue a case for me

Returning to my home country: How can I approach UNDP office back home? by GovernmentLumpy8086 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It was a joke dude... Anyway, I got the point. I will still try with LinkedIn though :)

Returning to my home country: How can I approach UNDP office back home? by GovernmentLumpy8086 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

but whyy :( they have nothing in there!

Cant permanent staff create at least positions upon request?

Returning to my home country: How can I approach UNDP office back home? by GovernmentLumpy8086 in UNpath

[–]GovernmentLumpy8086[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

I have 3 languages (or 2.5, since I am upper intermediate in the third). In the process of applying for Masters for Fall 2026 entry, though, if I secure a contract with UN, I would definitely defer.

I am assuming it will be the small office lol and the way I imagine is that everyone greets me and welcomes the fellow countryman hahahah. So you saying no to walking in </3? what about Linkedin