Wilfrid Laurier University graduate lands United Nations internship in Sri Lanka
A Wilfrid Laurier University grad is helping to shape public policy as an intern at the United Nations.
Manomi De Silva, a graduate of Laurier Brantford's human rights and human diversity program, started an internship position at the United Nations Office for Project Services in late October.
"It was very surreal," said De Silva. "To find out that I had been selected for an internship to work with the UN was such amazing news."
Like many other students, De Silva wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to do with her degree, but the Mississauga resident knew she wanted to be involved in shaping public policy. De Silva had originally enrolled at a different university, but switched to Laurier for its "small class sizes."
"The class sizes are small enough that you really get to meet people with the same interests as you," she said.
De Silva had always wanted to connect with her heritage so after completing her education, she decided to move to Sri Lanka. Upon her arrival, she started applying for jobs and eventually received a phone call from the UN, requesting an interview.
"Five people together interviewed me," said De Silva. "After the interview, I was shortlisted as a potential candidate and was asked to do a written test."
Shortly after, De Silva received a call that would change her life forever. She was offered the position of partnerships development and communications intern at the UN Office for Project Services office located in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
"Working with the UN has been one of my life goals. It is something my father and I had always talked about doing after I finished school," said De Silva.
De Silva is thankful for Laurier and it's faculty for their help during her education. Professors in the human rights and human diversity program continued to help her with her career after she had graduated, she said.
Catherine Stewart, an associate professor of human rights and human diversity, is hopeful students like De Silva will walk away from the program with a well-rounded education.
"What were trying to do is give students a strong knowledge and theoretical basis of human rights," said Stewart. "We want them to be inspired by the program and be more engaged with the world around them."
De Silva's internship originally was slated to last three months, but it has been extended until the end of April. She is planning to pursue a master's degree in either public policy or education.
The UN Office for Project Services is a branch of the UN that supports the development of countries' infrastructure by providing project management and procurement services. The office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, provides support for five countries, including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
kwatkins@therecord.com , Twitter @WatkinsRecord
