United Nations: I work for the UN and it's slowly killing me. I want to pursue an MBA - what are other organizations I could work for post-degree that are more nimble and impactful?

The advice below is a bit general, I can be a bit more specific if I knew what type of work you do. I am assuming some sort of consulting considering your private sector background but I am not certain so I will make it a bit broader.   First of all, consider what area of the UN you work for. Are there other areas which might be more suited to what you want to do and move a bit faster? I am not an expert in UN bureaucracy, but there might be other organisations within the UN which have more autonomy and therefore can set their own rules which you can transfer to (can you transfer to another agency or sub-agency?).   If you are really keen on leaving the UN, then there are some other options:   Non-profits and NGOs - These might be your best bet. They are usually a bit more faster-paced than a bureaucracy and work on a whole range of issues such as the Middle East.   Other international organisations - Related to work within another UN agency, you could look at other international organisations which are not under the UN.   Corporations - Like you mention in the question details, a number of companies have social responsibility programs which you could work for.   Good luck with it.

Hi there, like Scott I'd say it's difficult to be precise without more information. But speaking broadly you would like to make a difference, presumably paid half-decently, but not get bogged down in bureaucracy. This is of course what most people want, and as such competition is high. But I'm sure you can find something like this. Let me ask though why is it that you want to do an MBA? This seems a bit back to front- wanting to do the degree before knowing how you would use it? You might consider an MPA or an MBA with a CSR-focus if you want to learn how to cut through the red tape! The way I see it you might bag a great job doing CSR for Google or working somewhere like the Gates Foundation, but you shouldn't rely on that happening. Consider where your strengths lie and what else beyond natural talent will be needed (Experience, Skills, qualifications). Also what you are willing to budge on e.g would you drop your salary to gain valuable experience? Would you spend that earmarked MBA money to set up a start-up instead or to travel to the Middle East and gain frontline charity experience? You have lots of options: - You could enter politics and push for change that way -You could go the straight private sector route but spend your money supporting worthwhile causes - You could work for a Middle-East related foundation with a rich backer - whoever the Soros equivalent is. - And you could work for a less bureaucratic part of the UN. They do exist, contrary to what many think. Best of luck

Given what I've read about your dilemma, I would encourage you to find a graduate programme other than an MBA. There are so many exciting Masters programmes to chose from that will truly distinguish you, and for which you will likely have far more passion.  Also, look overseas for Masters programmes given your interest in global development. Finally, as a Kiwi, I encourage you to go have a chat with our former Prime Minister, Helen Clark, the head of UNDP in NYC.  She is approachable and pragmatic, and may be able to find an internal solution for you at the UN.

Just about anything might be more impactful than working for the UN. Suppose you go out, you get your MBA, and the only job you can get is to be a janitor cleaning toilets in a restaurant.  It's not glamorous, it's doesn't pay anything.  Yet you can go home knowing that you made the world a better place. I get extremely impatient with big bloated organizations like the UN.  You have a ton of committee meetings, a ton of reports, a lot of people that are interested more in advancing their careers than in getting anything useful done.  So you take the typical UN bureaucrat.  After all of the meetings and all of the paperwork in which people spend endless hours making policy and mission statements, I think that most of them are making as much less of an impact on the world as a janitor cleaning toilets in a restaurant because they are talking about doing stuff rather than doing stuff.

When you graduate with the MBA you could return to the UN and get into a management track.  They could keep you very busy there.  You may have issues getting into the private sector with your mixed background.  However, the nonprofit sector could work.  The pay is low even for MBAs though.  I went into the small business operations and marketing after my MBA.

I met an American in the Shanghai Library over 15 years ago, and said he was the current UN head's aide. Quitting, then he was tasked with opening three locations of one major upscale hotel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Regis_Hotel?).The United Nations is probably a wonderful place to get contacts for jobs and major projects.