How to Get a Job at the United Nations: Insights from a Former UN Young Professional
My journey into the UN was the culmination of years of preparation, learning, and quiet hope. Today, after having served honorably at UN Headquarters (UNHQ) and pivoting to private sector with Microsoft, I want to share everything I know about getting into the UN — especially if you are dreaming of beginning your career there.
Courage to Begin Again: 1 Year Post UN
When I moved to New York City in 2022 to join the United Nations, it was both a culmination and an upheaval. I was leaving behind a thriving company I had built — a life I loved — and stepping into the unknown in a new country, a new system, with a heavy heart.
From Staple to Luxury: Cravings Gourmet Popcorn (Reflecting on Markets, Convenience, and Entrepreneurship)
As I stepped into Cravings Gourmet Popcorn, a Black-owned business in Lansing, Michigan, my first instinct—perhaps shaped by years of operating in African markets—was to check the price. The price of a bag of gourmet popcorn? $9.95. My initial reaction, influenced by my Malawian upbringing, was: That’s a lot for popcorn!
Pricing, Profitability, and Playing in Broken Markets: A Reflection from an African Entrepreneur
For the past 12 years, I’ve been building businesses across the African continent—creating platforms, services, and programs that I knew had value. And yet, one question kept echoing through every boardroom, brainstorm, and budget meeting:
“Why aren’t we making enough money?”
“Why aren’t we sustainable?”
“Why isn’t this working?”
