There are certain career tracks in the United Nations that have the possibility of ending up with a lifetime contract. Without going too far into the details, you have to pass a very competitive written test, oral interview, and have an approximately 2 year probationary period. If you get through all the hoops with flying colors, you will be given a job for life.
If you had that chance, would you take it? I know that kind of touches on the idea I brought up before, on the subject of working for the UN in general, so let's not get into that subject. I'm thinking more along the lines of knowing that you would be working for the same employer for your entire life. Would you want that kind of a future?
Of course, in my case, a lifetime contract would last for about 45 seconds. As soon as certain members of my family found out that the grandkids would be permanently globe trotting around Third World countries, they would have me killed.
14 comments:
you sound like a german....a job for life...wonderful...
Karin
If I liked the job- then, yeah. There was a lday at UNCC who had worked here since she was 15 and she just retired. Her retirement party was really cool, they had to reserve all the salaons which usually only happens at a chancelors reception and announce that everyone coudn't show up at once because there wasn't enough room for them to sit- we had to come in shifts. Everyone knew her from the professors to the UPS guy.
i think if i knew that i was working for my present employer for the rest of my life i'd go pretty bonkers.
There is something to be said for being grounded and happy with what you have. I just can't take being in a "job" situation. It feels like I am not in control of my time and my life.
amen brother
I can see myself working for my present employer for many years...though exactly how long I could remain enamored of my current position is uncertain. Also at this salary I would probably eventually end up renting a room in a double-wide in a trailer park outside of Weehawken.
I think you need to look at the life you have lived to this point and what you are currently doing now and decide if you would want to continue that life forever.
Personally I would like the stability of knowing I have a job, but I would also like new experiances with new companies. Tuff decision.
I don't think I could do that. Being in one job all the time would feel like stagnation and I do not like stagnation. I can only go a few years with the same job and sometimes only the hope of eventual change keeps me where I am. More power to those who can stay in one job. Two year probationary period!! That'd be tough.
the days of working for one employer for an entire career are coming to an end, i think. it's great for stability (if that's an issue ;)), but if you're like me, you get bored unless the job has many various facets. i like the concept of teaching since you have new students every term and you have to keep up with new technology, etc. but, sometimes the student flow can stagnate. sorry, i was reflecting on my own goals... but, my question is are you locked in? can you not resign if you wanted to at some future point?
hmmm. i just looked at the title of this post and realized i merely reworded it... and then i did a second comment apologizing for it... damn. sorry to waste everyone's time.
togichju
Perhaps a bit of clarification is in order. A permanent contract doesn't mean you'll have the same job for life. You're still expected to move around to different duty stations, progress professionally, get promoted, etc. In fact, under the mobility policy, practically everyone has to change posts every 5 years. The permanent contract means that you will always be employed somewhere in the system. Not behind the same desk, doing the same thing, for the rest of your life.
all of a sudden it doesn'T sound very "german" anymore
Karin
but, still, can you leave the UN if you wanted to 10 years down the road? is it an option?
Yeah, I can still leave whenever I want.
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