UN Young Professionals Program 2012

[jflorezi]

Hi all!

I wasn't 100% about starting this thread in this topic -considering that there's a "Jobs" form-, but in the end I think I'll get more info/thoughts here than there :-)

So, is anybody thinking on applying for the 2012 UN YPP? Any thoughts/suggestions? Which track are you applying for?

Has anybody applied for the YPP before? If so, any suggestions on material, books, papers, etc., that would helps us prepare for the exam. Can you describe the process (interviews, length, etc.)?

Thanks!

[Hvr]

Hello

Yes I am thinking about it...except , I have no clue how to study for it.

I did find a slightly helpful article though:

https://www.law.harvard.edu/current/careers/oldopia/planning/secure/2011unguidefinal.pdf

Check out the YPP part!

[state_school'12]

Thanks for posting that. Very interesting reading!

[jflorezi]

Hello

Yes I am thinking about it...except , I have no clue how to study for it.

I did find a slightly helpful article though:

https://www.law.harv...nguidefinal.pdf

Check out the YPP part!

Thanks! Anybody else??

[KiasuHeels]

So, is anybody thinking on applying for the 2012 UN YPP? Any thoughts/suggestions? Which track are you applying for?

Me. I'm considering either Political or Social, can't decide.

Has anybody applied for the YPP before?

I doubt there are that many who have taken it before, the program has only been around for a year. I think the first exams/interviews were held in 2011.

I did find a slightly helpful article though:

https://www.law.harv...nguidefinal.pdf

That concerns me. Going through the exam is a lot of trouble and yet there's no guarantee you'll even get appointed a job after you've made the roster. Kind of disheartening, isn't it?

[OregonGal]

That concerns me. Going through the exam is a lot of trouble and yet there's no guarantee you'll even get appointed a job after you've made the roster. Kind of disheartening, isn't it?

Well, in that respect it sounds quite similar to the US Foreign Service process--exams, interviews, very low rates of getting on The List and then no guarantee of a job offer. I think it's definitely not something where you want to put all your eggs in one basket but it's definitely worth going for if that's where you'd like to work.

[KiasuHeels]

Well, in that respect it sounds quite similar to the US Foreign Service process--exams, interviews, very low rates of getting on The List and then no guarantee of a job offer. I think it's definitely not something where you want to put all your eggs in one basket but it's definitely worth going for if that's where you'd like to work.

Turns out the YPP is a new form of the UN's old NCRE (National Competitive Recruitment Examination). Except with the NCRE, you could have stayed in the roster for eternity whereas if you pass the YPP exam, your stay on the roster has a 2-year expiry date. If you don't get an appointment after those 2 years, you're just off their list like nothing ever happened.

I wonder how this differs from JPO.

Edited July 28, 2012 by KiasuHeels