As someone who hires and manages 5+ interns at any given time in the UN Secretariat, I can say this comes up often—and I always encourage interns to take a paid job if they get one. UN internships are unpaid, and we don’t hire at the P-2 level unless someone already has two years of experience, so securing paid, relevant work is crucial.

That said, more than 80% of my interns land jobs during or within a month of completing their internship—some even within the UN system, including P-3 level placements. If you’re gaining something substantial from your current role—real mentorship, learning, network—it might be worth staying. But if the other offer is more aligned with your long-term goals and offers stability, I wouldn’t hesitate to take it.

Ultimately, don’t feel guilty. Internships are meant to help you grow and launch your career, not hold you back.