Anniversary edition: your questions answered
How to live the diplomatic dream life
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To celebrate 6 months of the Gazette, today I’m answering your questions.
Inside this anniversary edition:
You’re living my dream. How can I follow a path like yours?
What makes consular roles unique? What do recruiters look for?
Another premium diplomacy book recommendation
Advice on applying for overseas roles, and how to impress at interview
Have another question? I’ll answer you directly (mail me).
Q: Your CV is incredible. You’re living my dream. How can I follow a path like yours?
Image: living the dream
I’m ordinary. I have a commitment to serve, determination to learn, and luck. I try unconventional things and take action.
My experience suggests you may try to bend the system and fall flat on your face. Also that with impressive colleagues you may achieve exceptional impact.
I began with neither network, family contacts, insider information nor international relations qualifications. My background was tech consultancy and private sector management.
I learned from (many) mistakes, listened to smart people, took my opportunities and kept going.
If you’re up for it and accept the drawbacks, so can you.
To position yourself as a diplomat, in state diplomacy or mid-career in your own profession, here’s recommended action.
To learn as an international professional, one place to start is diplomacy summer school. One more: UN Intensive Summer Programme (details below).
Thank you to those who applied for an Ambassador at Large scholarship at the Oxbridge Diplomatic Academy: more on that to come.
To move into diplomacy mid-career, look at pathways that fit for you.
There are more early career entry schemes than you may know.
3 more opportunities open now:
▶️ The EU’s Blue Book traineeship opens for applications this week. There’s no age limit and you don’t need to be a citizen of an EU member state.
The 5-month session starts in October. It doesn’t guarantee a permanent job. It does open networks and insights, with an allowance around €1,500 per month.
▶️ United Nations Intensive Summer Programme, 8 to 12 June, New York.
Seton Hall University, a UN Academic Impact member institution, runs the course through its School of Diplomacy and International Relations in collaboration with the UN USA Association.
▶️ International Law Seminar, UN Office Geneva, 29 June to 17 July. One of the most prestigious seminars in international law. Yes, there still is international law!
More opportunities and your questions answered:
