Welcome to The Gender Diplomat!

🌎 Yes, we've all been there. We have a degree in International Relations and are eager to change the world. We look for a fun job at the UN, attend NATO conferences, intern at EU institutions. And of course, we all know that there's no better way to fulfil a career in IR than by becoming a diplomat. Or is there? 

If you think we should all be diplomats, think again

From the series "things I wish I'd known earlier", this week I'm sharing some tips for young professionals in the field of IR. I've sometimes struggled with my career path, so I’ve decided to make bits of my mindset and advice public. No, we don't all have to be diplomats. The key is to do what works for you. Happy reading and thinking! 🧠

 🎯 Find your why and stick to it (get to know yourself)

Identifying your goals and passions is the secret sauce to success. Who are you? What are your values, motivations, passions and strengths? Do you care about social issues, your country's reputation or the business sector? Are you a generalist or do you have specific topics of interest? Are you open-minded, a detailed planner or an adventurer? There is no right or wrong answer, just as there is no fixed answer — we are supposed to evolve as we get older.

Now that you know your why, find your match — and your match doesn't have to be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is an erroneous and well-established bias in the minds of young people that equates a degree and career in IR with a compulsory career as a diplomat (most people don't even know what a diplomatic career actually entails, but I'll write about that in the future). You should become a diplomat if, and only if, you want to work in diplomacy and represent your country abroad.

There are plenty of valid (and very interesting) career paths: what sectors, industries, issues or global values interest you? You can work with NGOs, international organisations, the media, chamber of commerce social impact, private sector, humanitarian aid, law... I truly believe that IR is one of the broadest fields there is, so make the most of it. Now it’s also time to know that any experience is better than no experience: in highly qualified and competitive societies, an extra line on your CV can make a huge difference when organisations choose their next employees.

Be proactive, apply for student jobs, volunteer, start a business, do field work, etc. Sports also count as relevant items on your CV (not as work experience, of course) as the employer will know you have good time management and teamwork skills, for example.

🤝 Networking can change your life (do your homework)

Networking isn't just about attending cool events and posting on LinkedIn. It's also about your personal brand, your interests and your positioning as an emerging and outstanding professional in the sector. It's essential to identify the key leaders in your sector and to work to get to know them and get them to like you. For me, networking is less about speed dating and more about long-term relationships, i.e. it's about planning in advance and working towards opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be available in the future. I treat networking as a part-time job and focus on it every month, and so should you.

🇺🇳 You will not be UN SecGen at 20 (be flexible and persistent)

We live in a constant rush, but it's very unlikely that you'll get your dream job or become UN Secretary General at the age of 20 without decades of life experience. Good things take time: enjoy your early career stages, learn to live and work with a flexible and adaptable mindset, open as many doors as possible, bounce back from setbacks and be grateful for every learning opportunity. My motto is to prioritise experiences over comfort and it has worked quite well for me so far.

There are things you can do in the meantime to maximise and speed up your professional growth. Stay informed and be relevant: I suggest writing your opinions on social media, attending conferences, subscribing to newsletters (like The Gender Diplomat!), listening to podcasts, taking part in public debates, and so on. Employers often ask for your career portfolio, so the more you do now, the more you can show off later 😎

Growing in and out of your 9 to 5

• How to overcome self-limiting beliefs (Asana).

• Why sleep matters (Talks at Google).

• How to get more done in 2024 (On Purpose).

• Reinforcing European Cohesion with Commissioner E. Ferreira (FEPS).

• Building the Future 2024 (Microsoft).

• Careers in the EU institutions (EPSO event in Portuguese)

Jobs for diplomats at heart

• Administration Officer @ ENNHRI.

• MEL Analyst @ European Endowment for Democracy.

• Traineeships @ Council of the EU.

• Traineeships @ European Ombudsman.

• Project Assistant @ OSCE.

See you next week!👩🏻‍💻