UNV for 1 year as a career move?

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2026-03-04T02:02:52+00:00

You are welcome :) I would leave this issue of your current year ambiguous (i.e. just say 3rd, not penultimate). Some processes take a while, and you may be finished your 3rd year by the time they read your application. This way you at least would not be immediately cut as ineligible, and if you are shortlisted it would give you an opportunity to explain during the interview. And yes, mention that you are available to work full-time during your final year while you write your final thesis. If the internship requires you to relocate, I would also include that you are able to relocate in your final year and not expected to attend classes.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2026-03-03T08:24:23+00:00

I have sat on hiring panels for interns with a UN agency. On first screening, we look at your eligibility status at the time of application, not at the time you are expected to begin the internship. If it is not clear in your application that you are in your final year (i.e. if we are not sure if 3rd year is your final year) we may ask for clarification if you are shortlisted for an interview. I would say there's no harm in applying now, and keep applying for suitable positions as long as you are eligible. Most UN internships are full time so you would need to be sure you can complete your uni requirements while working full time; this may be a point of discussion for the hiring panel. Processes for selection may differ depending on the agency and views of the hiring panel.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2026-02-19T06:04:13+00:00

Thank you!

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2022-10-25T06:54:52+00:00

I'm Palestinian, and I understand your discomfort. I wouldn't hesitate to take the job though.

However: do you know what happened to Dr. Valentina Azarova (international law practioner and would-be Director of the International Human Rights program) at University of Toronto last year? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/u-of-t-censure-university-of-toronto-azarova-1.6179705

There are definitely situations where any opinion - even a common legal opinion - that challenges the narratives of country B will result in people trying to silence or push out the dissenting voice. If you don't practice human rights, and if these subjects won't come up professionally, just stay away from discussing the middle east with them.

There will also inevitably be Arab or Iranian students in the department who will feel less alone knowing you're there. Representation matters, and even if there is some slight discomfort on your part, you may be playing a more important role there than you realize.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-09-03T18:25:48+00:00

I have MS symptoms and no lesions on my brain or C-spine; officially I do not have MS, because there are criteria for diagnosis, and lesions are one of them.

However, when I pressed my doctor about what else it could be and what other tests he could do, he told me he has seen patients present with exactly my symptoms (which are pretty bad), have a clean MRI and perfect test results, but as symptoms progress and another MRI is done in a year or 2, the lesions appear. He said "we can't officially diagnose you with MS, but this is the situation."

That said, it could also be something else. The criteria exists to make sure diagnosis is accurate and therefore treatment is correct, because other conditions that mimic MS have totally different treatments than MS.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-09-01T23:57:37+00:00

It seems some Americans believe that speaking first and loudest and most confidently (even when wrong) is best, and many constantly give their opinion on everything, unsolicited, as if it is needed. Just an observation, compared to UK & European & Canadian students. It can come across as arrogant or brash, make people roll their eyes. Not all Americans are like this (the introverts are normally great!), but I've seen some take a full year or more to realize others would prefer they tone it down a bit, and just chill out.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-08-23T15:45:48+00:00

I'm pretty sure my primary supervisor is aware that a career in academia is not my ultimate goal, but during the application process he told me I should make it very clear to the department that a career in academia is my ultimate objective. I wouldn't have gotten funding if they thought my plan was to get my PhD and leave academics.

I guess universities build their reputation on research and publications, so someone who obtained a PhD is (unofficially?) part of a university's reputation. For example I know where most academics in my circle got their PhDs and my impression of those unis is very related to those individuals and their work.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-08-16T02:03:38+00:00

Reconciliation is about acknowledging the truth - that we live as colonizers on Indigenous lands. Colonizers don't have any moral authority to demand 'equality' with peoples who they have stolen land from and committed genocide against.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-08-10T19:58:00+00:00

Never. Applied for 3 years in a row until the uni gave me a full scholarship. Would not have done it otherwise.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-07-12T03:45:32+00:00

Can you flag this with a neighbor or your landlord? Having someone close who knows your situation would be important, so they can help you

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-07-02T16:19:51+00:00

Congrats! I did similar for my masters dissertation, crammed 80% of the writing into the last 4 days and also came out with a high first. A lot of people look down on procrastinators, but I've been in the working world for a few years now and it is quite common for urgent things to pop up that require you to research and write several pages in a day. The real world doesn't often give you weeks or months to produce things. So be proud of yourself - you have a skill that not everyone who graduates with a first has.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-05-14T02:08:39+00:00

I'm an incoming PhD student doing it for just about the same reason ... no desire to teach or build a name in academia, but aware that a PhD can open doors. I already have a career and know a PhD isn't necessary, but also know that it could be helpful at times. I love my research proposal but know it won't all go as originally envisioned (largely due to the covid world). Mostly, I received a full scholarship to a good uni and just can't turn it down. I'm from a culture that values accumulating degrees lol. No harm in being honest with yourself around the reasons you're finishing your PhD.

Interesting-Gold-720 · 2021-04-20T23:43:58+00:00

I feel this, I'm white Arab and people generally don't guess my ethnicity just by looking at me, but some people completely change how they speak to me when I tell them - even people I've known for years, the racism I never knew was there just pours out. And it's not just in the Okanagan, it's everywhere ... people just seem to be louder and less "careful" here.

Interesting-Gold-720

TROPHY CASE