Written by Mary Highland, Communications Intern | November 11, 2024 | SHARE
Amid the bustling energy of the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders convene to address pressing global issues, Sam Barney-Gibbs, ‘24, found himself on the floor, witnessing history in the making. This past summer the recent graduate joined the United Nations as an intern at the headquarters in NYC. This opportunity not only represented a pivotal moment in his career but also underscored the essential role of effective communication in driving global initiatives and fostering international collaboration.
Sam discovered his passion for the UN during his time at Lehigh, where he majored in Journalism and Political Science, with minors in Philosophy and Global Studies. His participation in the Eckardt Scholars Program, a selective honors program that emphasizes interdisciplinary exploration and allows students to design their own course of study, significantly shaped his academic path.
“The program exempted me from distribution requirements and let me take a lot of global politics-related classes,” he explained. “I realized that Lehigh was one of these global hubs where I could go and get a taste of the world in a singular place.”
During his undergraduate studies, Sam served as a Communications Intern for the LU/UN Partnership, where he was heavily engaged with UN-related programming.
He was later asked to come back as the partnership’s first strategic planning intern.
“Instead of writing about someone else doing something, I felt like I was contributing directly to UN ideals.”
Now, as a Communications Intern in the Civil Society Unit of the UN Department of Global Communications, Sam has taken on a diverse array of responsibilities. He curates a biweekly newsletter and creates social media posts sent to civil society organizations around the world, organizing the registration of civil society organizations for UN High-Level events, and reviewing applications for civil society organizations seeking official association with the UN.
The most significant experience of his internship was during the UN General Assembly’s 79th session.
“It was a super busy week where we were running around constantly and getting to meet all these people that we were communicating with virtually,” Sam shared.
He also had the opportunity to interview an 18-year-old entrepreneur who spoke on the floor of the UN thanks to his office’s efforts.
“Seeing someone near my age represent youth so eloquently at such a prestigious event was incredibly inspiring,” he recalled.
Throughout his internship, Sam faced the challenge of navigating the vast and complex landscape of the UN. He acknowledged how difficult it can be to want to engage in that space, especially given the current global conflicts and the overwhelming accessibility of information. He learned the importance of balance, stating, “Doing as much as you can and knowing what you can’t control is essential.”
Looking ahead, Sam is eager to combine his experiences at the UN with his journalistic background. He is pursuing a career that blends journalism with political and global issues.
“I really feel like I would not have been able to be where I am right now without Dr. Hunter and his office,” he said.
Sam encourages fellow students to explore similar opportunities, emphasizing the value of taking pointed initiative.
“I wanted to ensure that I made use of that small student-to-professor ratio,” he advised. “One of the biggest things for me, during my time at Lehigh, was getting to know my professors and people who are at the forefront of international politics.”
Sam’s journey illustrates the profound impact that dedicated individuals can have on international diplomacy, serving as an inspiration for future generations to engage with pressing global challenges. His story encourages students to take advantage of unique opportunities and to foster connections in pursuit of their passions. By doing so, they can make meaningful contributions to a more informed and interconnected world.