Africa News of Wednesday, 11 March 2020

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Meet the man who finally got hired by UN after 500 rejections

Momo Bertrand Momo Bertrand

After being rejected job opportunities at the United Nations for 500 times, Momo Bertrand has finally been hired.

A man identified as Momo Bertrand has taken to social media to disclose the harsh reality he faced when he tried securing a UN job.

According to him, he started seeking for jobs at the UN after he completed a master’s degree programme.

When Bertrand told his classmates about his love for UN jobs, he was mocked and advised to try being a kindergarten teacher instead.

Bertrand, who was born in Douala, Cameroon, said he did not listen to his classmates who made discouraging comments after telling them of his desire to work with the UN.

"I told a classmate and he laughed at me, “Momo, the UN won’t hire you because you know no one there. Instead, apply to be a kindergarten teacher here in San Diego. I didn’t listen. After 500 failed job applications, I was hired as a Digital Media Officer at ITCILO.org, a United Nations agency,” he wrote on his Instagram page.

His post on social media on the issue has earned him several applause.

Read his full post on Instagram below:

View this post on Instagram

I WAS HIRED BY THE UNITED NATIONS after 500 rejections My name is Momo Bertrand. I was born in Douala, Cameroon. After completing my masters in the US, I began applying for jobs at UN. I told a classmate and he laughed at me, “Momo, the UN won’t hire you b’cuz you know no one there. Instead, apply to be a kindergarten teacher here in San Diego.” I didn’t listen. After 500 failed job applications, I was hired as a Digital Media Officer at ITCILO.org, a United Nations agency. I am thankful to Tom Wambeke and Massimiliano Leone for believing in my skills. Also thankful for my supportive mum, family, and friends. As a team member in ITCILO’s Learning Innovation Programme, I will be working on cutting-edge projects in digital media & education. I will no longer offer career coaching services. However, I will now share inspiring content on digital media, learning innovation and storytelling. I hope my story inspires you to keep pursuing your dreams. Because every dream matters. Because every story matters. If we aren’t connected yet, let’s do so: @askmomob PS: Do you work for a UN agency? I’ll love to talk about your digital media activities (website, reports, campaigns). Please, inbox me.

A post shared by Momo Bertrand (@askmomob) on