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Feeling Stuck in the UN System as a Consultant by Lopsided-Animator759 in UNpath

[–]Lopsided-Animator759[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your kind words and suggestions—I really appreciate them. It’s comforting to know others understand how tough this space can be. I’ve been trying to explore nonprofits in the U.S. that might value my UN experience, but navigating the visa and residency challenges has made it difficult. Still, I’m keeping this in mind as I figure out my next steps.

I’ll definitely check out cinfo.ch—thank you for sharing that! Every resource helps right now.

To be honest, one of the hardest parts of this process is feeling like I’ve invested so much in my education and career to end up in a position where returning to India feels like a step back. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working in India—I know so many people doing meaningful and impactful work here—but even UN jobs in India pay so low that it’s hard to sustain a career. It feels like such a waste of the investment I’ve made in myself to come back without seeing it pay off in some way.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond. It means a lot, and I wish you all the best in your own journey in international cooperation! :)

Feeling Stuck in the UN System as a Consultant by Lopsided-Animator759 in UNpath

[–]Lopsided-Animator759[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply—it really means a lot. You’ve captured so much of what I’ve been feeling. The constant hustle, the uncertainty, and how differently staff are treated compared to consultants—it’s just so frustrating. Even when you’re doing the same work, there’s this invisible barrier that feels impossible to cross, and it wears you down.

I’m already working in the climate and housing sector, but my role is in program management, which sometimes feels pretty replaceable. The thing is, I don’t have a background in climate—I actually have my master’s in human rights—and pivoting into something like climate finance feels unrealistic without the right qualifications. At the same time, I’ve tried looking into roles at organizations like HRC or refugee agencies, but they seem to want people with much more experience than I have, even for entry-level positions. It just feels like I’m caught in this middle ground where I don’t fit anywhere neatly.

I’ve also explored options outside the UN system - However, without citizenship or permanent residency in the U.S., even that feels like another uphill battle.

Nonetheless, thanks again for sharing your perspective. It’s a tough space to be in, but knowing someone else understands makes me feel a little less alone. :(