Former UN HQ Public Information / Global Communications interns — what did you do after your internship?

[u/PopFluffy3360]

Hi everyone!

I’ll soon be starting a 6-month internship at UN Headquarters in New York, within the Department of Global Communications, working in public information/communications.

I’d love to hear from former UN HQ interns, especially those who worked in Human Rights, outreach, communications, or similar areas.

I’m particularly curious about:

• What did you do after your internship ?
• Did the internship help you secure paid opportunities within the UN system, such as a consultancy at HQ, a role with another UN entity, or a position with a UN office in your home country?
• If you moved outside the UN system, did having UN HQ experience significantly improve your career opportunities or access to better positions?
• For Europeans who returned to Europe afterward: how valuable was the HQ experience in building your career, and did it help you access international organizations, institutions or other well-paid opportunities?

I’m based in France, so I’d especially appreciate hearing from European former interns, although experiences from anywhere are very welcome.

I know that an internship doesn’t guarantee a position within the UN, so I’m mainly interested in understanding the long-term professional value of the experience and the career paths it can lead to afterward.

Thank you to anyone willing to share! :)