Hi, I came across this community and wanted to ask for some practical advice.
I’m currently a high school student in Sri Lanka studying Economics, Computer Science, and Mathematics. I speak Sinhala and English fluently, and I’m currently learning German. I’m also involved in public speaking in some areas. My long-term goal is to work with the UN.
I’d really appreciate some honest, realistic guidance on a few things:
What steps should I be taking right now (at school level) to start building a strong profile for a future UN career?
How important is networking at this stage, and how would you recommend I start doing it properly?
What degree paths actually make sense for getting into the UN (e.g. economics, international relations, law, etc.)?
From your experience, what is some genuine advice you would give someone aiming for this path that most people don’t realize early on?
I’m trying to be intentional with my choices early, so any direct advice would really help. Thank you.