“Struggles of International Organization Internship” Edited by Lee Jong-hyun

As I entered the second semester of my senior year in college, the topic of “employment” naturally caught my attention. With graduation looming, I felt it would be beneficial to gather as much information as possible about the world of “employment.”

“Struggles of International Organization Internship”

While browsing books at the library, a title caught my eye: “International Organization Internship.” Although it seemed somewhat distant from my personal interests, curiosity led me to borrow the book and explore its contents.

The book presents the experiences of 15 individuals who underwent internships at international organizations. It briefly introduces their experiences and preparations for applying to international organizations.

“A Book Unveiling the Experience and Preparation for Entering International Organizations”

In reality, international organizations are not places where ordinary people casually apply. Individuals who prepare specifically for international organizations tend to be the ones who apply. However, as I read the book, I realized that more Koreans than I thought were successfully entering international organizations.

Reflecting on this, I recalled that South Korea produced a “UN Secretary-General” in the past. Ban Ki-moon, a South Korean, served as the UN Secretary-General. While there were criticisms of his lukewarm approach to global issues during his term, and concerns about his English proficiency were raised (even in Korea), he held the position. (An excerpt from Ban Ki-moon’s 2006 UN Secretary-General acceptance speech can be found at OWL Dictionary).

“Challenges of International Organization Internship”

Returning to the book, it became evident that undergoing an internship at an international organization is no easy feat. However, it is not an impossible task either. The book conveyed the message that with dedication and preparation, entering this field is achievable.

Before challenging international organizations, there are preliminary steps. One must contemplate why they want to pursue this career. Examining the stories in the book revealed that while some applied without much hesitation, having received acceptance by luck, most applicants had a strong desire to experience working in an international organization. In some cases, individuals only secured internships after making efforts to submit their resumes to hundreds of organizations under the UN.

“Various Organizations under the UN”

The book enlightened me about the various organizations under the umbrella of the UN. Entities like “UNDP,” “ILO,” and “UNICEF” all fall under the category of UN-affiliated institutions.

“How to Enter the UN: Formal Route vs. Informal Route”

How does one enter the UN? According to the book, there are generally two routes: the formal route and the informal route. While one might think that the UN fills many positions through the formal route, in reality, more hiring is done through the informal route.

Even for unpaid intern positions, there is an overwhelming number of applicants globally, making it impractical to review every resume personally. Thus, some organizations abandon formal processes for intern recruitment. Alternatively, while they may use formal routes for recruitment, there might be instances where no qualified candidates are selected.

“Formal Routes to Enter International Organizations”

Despite this, the book introduces formal routes, which mainly consist of two methods:

JPO: Junior Professional Officer
YPP: Young Professional Programme

Entering through the JPO route designates individuals as “Junior Professional Officers” and allows them to work with international organizations. However, this position typically lasts for only 1-2 years. After this period, individuals need to explore other paths. The experience gained and the network established during this time can facilitate transitions to similar institutions.

The YPP method is similar to public recruitment, where the UN directly recruits interns.

“UN Prefers Informal Routes for Recruitment”

Nevertheless, the conclusion is that the UN prefers informal routes over formal ones for recruitment. Therefore, individuals aspiring to work in international organizations should consistently show interest in relevant institutions by submitting applications through email and patiently waiting.

Summarizing the ways to enter international organizations:

Passing the JPO (Junior Professional Officer) exam.
Applying directly to open positions through continuous recruitment.
Participating in the YPP (Young Professional Programme), a recruitment exam organized by the UN Secretariat.
Entering through UN Volunteers.

The book also mentions online sites where information about UN internships can be obtained:

Daum Cafe: UN and International Organizations (ICUNIA)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ International Organization Recruitment Information Website: UN Recruitment

“Qualifications Needed for Entering International Organizations”

While the book may not explicitly cover this, I recall attending a lecture by Director Im Hyoung-jun, who worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served in international organizations. During the lecture, he discussed qualifications and procedures for entering international organizations.

To enter international organizations, obtaining a master’s degree is generally a prerequisite. Specific majors are not mandatory, but having expertise in a particular field is crucial.

Moreover, proficiency in two of the official languages designated by the UN is required. The official languages are English, French, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic. Unfortunately, Korean is not included, so Koreans need to be proficient in English and one additional language.

This book, containing the stories of 15 young individuals who experienced internships at international organizations, is a valuable resource for those aspiring to work in international organizations.

In conclusion, I leave you with a quote shared by Choi Jun-hee in the book: “A great person is not someone who made the best choices, but someone who made their choices the best they could.”

“Struggles of International Organization Internship”