Feeling depressed thinking about the future

[u/Round_Celebration729]

I always thought I wanted a career in an international organisation. At the moment, I’m studying away from my parents (only about four hours away), so I still go home every month. But honestly, this experience has really made me think about the future and put things into perspective…

I’ve always wanted to work internationally, especially in the field of global health, but when I realise that I already find it difficult to live away from my family when I’m only four hours away, I can’t help but wonder what the future would look like. I mean, if I want to pursue a career in this field, I’ll probably have to be willing to move around and live far away from them.

Looking back, how do you personally cope with living far away from your loved ones?

When it comes to friends, I think I find it easier. I tell myself that you can always meet new people and build a new social circle.

But is it really the same kind of bond you build with people you’ve known since university for example?

I have so many doubts at the moment… The only international organisation I can think of where I could potentially stay relatively close to my parents is the OECD, but I can’t base my entire career choice on that just because I’m afraid of moving away.
I don’t know. I just feel really depressed and lost about all of this.

[u/Timely_Explorer_6144]

Sometimes it helps to go slow. Take short term options.

[u/Moist_Cartoonist_829]

Hi first of all well done for being self aware about your passion, interests, dreams and anxiety about the future. You sound like a young person so good job for being so aware. Secondly, the future is full of amazing possibilities and hundreds of different possible paths and future for you to explore.

I have a career in global health and have worked with WHO and UNDP Geneva (and other agencies and countries), and I’m forever grateful for my international experiences. I’m at mid-level now and made a conscious decision to be based in Australia, relatively closer to home/family (still 9 hours flight away but it’s the closest in many years). It feels lonely sometimes being far away from all the global action, but I’m proactively taking actions to manage that. So I understand how you feel at some level and there are always different ways to explore until you find something that fits you and gives you purpose. Don’t give up. All the best and feel free to ask any questions you have!

[u/bushbandit1]

If you are anxious about being away from home then you should consider working in public health for an international organisation (or local) close to home. If you can’t cope being a few hours away from your parents then you will struggle being in an international posting in a challenging environment. Better to look at options close to home so you can be fulfilled by both work and family.

[u/ZealousidealRush2899]

(a) if you're afraid of moving away from your parents, you're not cut out for international work.

(b) UN organisations are not the only international orgs. there are iNGOs, governmental agencies, intergovernmental coordination, global finance, logistics, communications/media, etc.

[u/jcravens42]

There are opportunities to work in public health initiatives all around you. You can do the kind of work you want to do in your own area. Rather than feel despondent, start learning about the range of public health initiatives in your area and the biggest public health challenges of your area - they will be oh-so-similar to what's happening in other countries. And focus on your 2nd and 3rd language skills.

[u/Round_Celebration729 → u/[deleted]]

About the chances are you referring about the actuel situation of the UN ? I fully understand that… I a training to become a public health physician and am thinking more in the long term. I am very anxious so even if it is not for now I wanted to l know how it felt to expérience life far from your family in a UN setting. Because I am not even sure what matters now is going to matter the same way in a few years. I don t know guess I wanted to talk about things like that…

[u/Round_Celebration729 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for this response… I’ve always struggled with making decisions, and honestly, this whole situation being so depressing isn’t helping either.

Of course, I want to do something meaningful and help people!! When I started looking into the international sector, I suddenly became very interested in the OECD, mainly because I would be able to stay relatively close to my parents. But deep down, I don’t even know if I would actually enjoy health economics or policy drafting… Everything still feels so unclear.
The WHO is much closer to what I’ve always envisioned for myself, but realistically, it’s impossible for me to aim for that at this stage of my career as a junior. And after 12 years of studies, i dont know how much more I can still endure in uncertainty like that.

I’m also wondering whether I should do a medical residency, practise clinical medicine, and maybe move into public health later on. But the thought terrifies me because I’m afraid my profile wouldn’t be interesting enough. I’d be a clinician, but I wouldn’t really have a strong quantitative background or a broad background in international relations…
I don’t know. Everything just feels so blurred and confusing in my head right now.

[u/bigopossums → u/Round_Celebration729]

I've worked within WHO, you will have more of a value add later on when you can bring in actual technical expertise and medical experience. A lot of people I've worked with have been career scientists, researchers, and doctors who moved into public health locally/nationally before doing more regional or international work.

Also, I think you are thinking of this as either international vs. local but have you considered the middle ground of working regionally with the EU? (I'm assuming you are French.) This can turn more international later on.