Starting Over After the UN

For years, the work we did chained us and placed us in a bubble—one that is not easy to step out of.

In recent months, I have had many conversations during coaching sessions with people who were directly affected by the funding cuts in the UN and INGOs. Many of them lost their jobs, and yet their stories carried striking similarities. They spoke about the bubble they had lived in for years, often without realizing it until change was forced upon them.

Although the UN offers many opportunities for learning and professional growth, several people I spoke with described how, after a few years, their work began to follow a predictable rhythm. For them, the learning curve flattened, and they no longer felt challenged to explore new skills or expand their capacities. Their roles became repetitive, and their sense of professional development declined. Interestingly, many recalled that before joining the UN, when they worked in other sectors, they were learning more, doing more, and constantly adapting to new challenges. That period outside the system, they reflected, had often been more dynamic and enriching in terms of personal growth.

Another recurring theme was the feeling of being chained. The difficulty wasn’t only about struggling to secure a new job; it was also about not being able to see opportunities beyond the familiar. Years of working in one environment narrowed their vision. They found themselves searching for roles that mirrored the ones they had held for so long, unable to imagine possibilities outside of the UN or similar organizations. This mindset is understandable. Stepping outside a comfort zone is rarely easy, especially when the work one is accustomed to comes with a package of stability, recognition, and benefits that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

This combination of living in a bubble, feeling stuck, and experiencing limited growth creates a powerful sense of being trapped. Yet, as difficult as it may seem, there is always a way forward. Breaking free requires more than simply updating a résumé or applying for new jobs. It calls for a shift in perspective: the willingness to think differently, to broaden the horizon of what is possible, and to challenge the assumptions about where one belongs professionally.

Escaping the bubble means daring to step into the unknown, where learning and growth can begin again. It requires opening both the mind and the heart to new directions, even if they do not resemble the paths walked before. For those willing to take that step, the end of one chapter can become the beginning of a more expansive journey.