This October, during the UN Week Career Panel, the Howard University Chapter of the United Nations Association had the opportunity to participate in social discourse around diversity in the UN’s workplace with former Political Affairs Officer, Curtis J. Raynold. This virtual interview, followed by a Q&A session, allowed participants to discover more about one of the world’s largest international organizations.

Former UN Officer Curtis Raynold did his undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies, where he majored in economics and minored in law. Even as an undergrad student, Raynold was already interested in public service. After just one year of serving with the Government of Saint Lucia in the Ministry of Finance, he decided to study international relations for an opportunity to work on foreign affairs. This pivot was an optimal career choice for Raynold as the Foreign Ministry is the first to see job postings from the United Nations.

When asked what it was like to work for an international organization as a Black man, Raynold responded with, “if you’re Black, you have to work harder than privileged people. There is racism; it’s hard to get places, even if you’re qualified.” Raynold shared that people don’t typically talk too much about Blackness in those offices because it is a “weird” or taboo subject. He added that the UN’s people are sophisticated, so their bigotry and racist actions are very subtle. Nonetheless, there is discrimination against people from the developing world, which are usually Black people and darker-skinned people. Meanwhile, developed countries and the developed world at large have much more influence at the UN.

When asked about treatment towards African Americans vs. Black people from other countries, Raynold assured students that the UN hires people based on qualification, not ethnicity. He mentioned that the total number of hires from region to region depends on a country’s quota based on its population.

While Raynold encouraged students to look into the UN, he emphasized the importance of commitment and dedication to the organization, stressing that the UN is for people who love learning and problem solving, want to have a worldview, and strive to make the world a better place in a multilateral way. One must be open to diversity and comfortable with being outside of their comfort zone. Raynold warns that the UN is not for everybody, “do some introspection to see if that job is really for you, if you have that necessary temperament.”

Membership with the Howard UNA chapter is excellent exposure for students because of events like this career panel. They have access to fundamental information that could steer them down the right path. Students should also try to network with high profile non-profits who currently do work with the UN. Working around one of the seven mandates of the UN with non-governmental organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch is a great segway to working in the UN Office on Human Rights. Above all, be intentional in aligning yourself and whatever work you do with at least one of the principles of the UN.

UNA Howard thanks Mr. Raynold for sharing his insight and experiences working with the UN as a Political Affairs Officer. During this kick-off to UN Week, students and other community members received valuable advice on preparing themselves now for a future career with the UN, specifically as Black people and people of color.