Nurturing Growth - Paul’s Internship Journey

By Paul Agaba, HR Intern, HRTM Unit/RSCE

My journey with the UN starts in quite an interesting way.

I saw the internship advert on a job board, applied for it without much hope of successand prayed for divine intervention.

After continuously looking out for any sign, I was delighted to receive an email and phone call invitation for an interview. I prepared well for the interview but as luck would have it, just like Murphy’s law, everything that could go wrong went wrong. My computer developed issues, mobile phone failed to hotspot my laptop and when it finally did, my microphone failed.

It was a very trying moment, I figured I had lost my chance and my morale went down.

By Gods’ grace, I was given a chance to do the interview again via telephone. Disorganized as my mind was, I grasped the renewed hope and sat the interview. After the interview, I lost hope thinking I had not impressed.

Four days later, I news of my selection for the internship. I was so ecstatic and could not believe that despite my trials and tribulations during the process, I had been chosen. It was a miracle!

I could not wait to report to the UN RSCE and join the HR Talent Management Unit (HRTMU).

It has been a truly memorable and enriching experience working with the HRTMU. I have been able to engage and learn from the team and build on my educational and practical knowledge. I have identified innovation and creativity as some of my core strengths.

This journey has provided me with a valuable opportunity to build upon these strengths by contributing significantly to the content and quality of projects leading to vast improvements in my drafting and presentation skills. I would never have realized this elsewhere.

I can write professional emails and coordinate events effectively. Through this internship, I have drastically polished up my professional communication skills, both through intricate exposure to verbal interactions and writings.

The most enduring aspect of my internship with the UN has been my engagement on career development initiatives to improve productivity and career advancement for RSCE staff. Additionally, I have had the privilege of working alongside excellent professionals who have generously shared their knowledge with me in the field of human resources management.

Through diverse processes and events including soliciting my perspective in team meetings, conducting research, or assisting in recruitment, coordinating French classes, every task has been a steppingstone towards refining my skills and expanding my understanding of HR practices within the UN.

As I embark on the next chapter of my career journey, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned and the cherished memories forged in this remarkable organization. Each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities; I am excited to continue leveraging my experiences gained at the UNRSCE to advance in my career and make a meaningful impact in the field of Human Resource Management.

Thank you, UN! Asante Sana! Webare Munoonga!