One of the dreams of any student in the International Relations and Global Affairs (IRGA) Program of Mahidol University International College (MUIC) would be to work in the United Nations (UN).
On February 26, 2025, IRGA students had the opportunity to listen to five officials from different UN agencies during the “Careers at the United Nations in Thailand” panel discussion and learn more about what it takes to become a UN employee. The event, part of the “IRGA Festival 2025,” attracted enough students to fill up the venue—Charinyarasami Hall in Aditayathorn Building.
The panelists included Ms. Marlene Nilsson, Deputy Regional Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; Ms. Tammi Sharpe, Representative of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Thailand; Ms. Michicko Ito, Deputy Head of Operations, Asia for the International Organization for Migration (IOM); Mr. Somchai Yensabai, Country Programme Coordinator, UN Women Thailand; and Ms. Paweena Suwiwatsanti, Regional Talent Acquisition, UN Volunteers (UNV) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Mr. Christian Oesterheld, Chair of the Social Science Division, served as the moderator.
During the discussion, the panelists shared several ways that an aspiring applicant can successfully be hired by the UN:
- Apply for a job vacancy
- Be a volunteer
- Be an intern
- Be a consultant then apply for a regular job post
- Join the UN Junior Professional Officer Programme
Should the students decide to apply directly for a job vacancy, the panelists also advised them to make sure their CV is impressive, highlighting their skill sets that are in demand in the UN (yet they cautioned against inflating their CV with false information); and participate in extra-curricular activities in university that are directly related to the UN’s mandate and work, among others.
The informative event served as a very helpful guide to students looking forward to working in the UN after they graduate.
Later that day, there were still two other events. One was a student debate on the topic, “The BRICS Dilemma: To Join or Not to Join,” and the IRGA Festival’s closing activity, a panel discussion on “The Roles and Challenges of NGOs in Today’s Political Context.”
