Karunamaya Vesna Blazhevska

How International Communications Work Actually Runs

Karunamaya Vesna Blazhevska is a communications professional based in New York. Earlier in her career, she worked with the United Nations Sustainable Development as a Communications Assistant, a role that is now behind her. In this Q&A, she talks through what that kind of work involved day to day, how requests were handled, and what she learned about doing communications work without cutting corners. The views below are her own and do not represent any organization she has worked with.

Can You Introduce Yourself and Describe the Work You Did as a Communications Assistant?

I worked as a Communications Assistant, which meant I sat between the people producing information and the people who needed it in a usable form. That included coordinating translations into several languages and handling requests from outside groups who wanted to use certain materials correctly. 

Was Your Work Handled Mostly in-House, or Did It Involve Outside Partners?

Both. Internally, there was a process for getting materials translated and reviewed before anything went out. Externally, I was in contact with government representatives, NGOs, television stations, and newspapers who needed approval to use certain materials. So it was a hybrid setup: internal coordination on one side, external communication on the other.

What Made Your Approach to This Work Different From a Typical Administrative Role?

The difference was in the stakes of accuracy. A translation that is slightly off, or an approval given without checking the actual use case, causes real confusion once it reaches the public. I treated the administrative part of the job as the part that protects the communication part. Skipping steps there shows up later.

Which Groups Did You Mainly Work With, and How Did That Focus Change Over Time?

Early on, most of my contact was with government offices, NGOs, and media outlets asking about using specific materials correctly. Later, my focus shifted toward supporting media logistics, things like sharing meeting details and schedules with accredited outlets. The audience changed from people asking for approval to people needing timely, accurate information to do their own reporting.

What Did People Most Often Come to You For?

Two things mainly: translation coordination and approval for using certain materials correctly. Most requests were straightforward once the requester understood the guidelines. The harder ones came from groups who wanted to use something in a way it was not meant for.

How Do You Stay Ahead of Shifts in Communications Work When Most Information Changes Quickly?

I do not try to track every shift. I focus on the fundamentals: accuracy, clear process, and knowing who actually needs the information. Trends in communication come and go. The requirement to get a message right the first time does not change.

Did You Work With the Same Contacts Repeatedly, and What Helped Build That Consistency?

Yes. Government offices, NGOs, and media contacts often came back with similar requests. What helped was being consistent in how I applied guidelines. If someone knows the process will be handled the same way each time, they come back with more confidence and less back and forth.

How Did You Make Sure the People Who Relied on You Got What They Needed?

By being direct about what was possible and what was not. If a request needed more information before I could move on it, I said so immediately rather than letting it sit. Clarity up front saves time for everyone involved.

What Did Follow-up Support Look Like After a Request Was Completed?

Mostly answering questions after the fact: why something was approved a certain way, or how to handle a similar case the next time. It was less about ongoing contracts and more about being reachable if something came up.

Since This Was Not a Fee-Based Service, How Were Requests Prioritized?

There was no pricing or billing involved in this kind of work. Requests were handled based on guidelines and order received, not on budget or negotiation. That removed one layer of complication but added another: everyone had to be treated the same way, regardless of who was asking.

Did You Ever Decline a Request, and What Were the Minimum Requirements for Approval?

Yes, when a request did not match the intended use of the material or the accuracy standard required for translation. The minimum requirement was always correctness: correct use, correct language, correct context. If those were not met, the request did not move forward until they were.

What Was the Hardest Part of This Kind of Work, and How Did You Handle It?

Coordinating translations across several languages under time pressure, since materials often needed to go out in all of them at once. I handled it by keeping the process the same every time rather than improvising under deadline. A steady process is more reliable than speed.

What Role Did the Working Environment Play in Doing This Job Well?

Working with people from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds taught me the importance of clear communication and attention to detail. My role involved coordinating translations across the six official languages and communicating with government representatives, NGOs, TV stations, and newspapers. Each request required careful handling, a clear understanding of the requirements, and coordination with the appropriate people to ensure everything was accurate and consistent.

Now That This Chapter Is Behind You, What Are You Focused On?

I am still drawn to communications work, particularly around sustainability and the kind of common ground people can find across different beliefs. That interest did not start or end with any one job. It is something I keep working on.

How Has Your Approach to This Kind of Work Changed Over Time?

I used to think speed mattered most. Now I think steadiness matters more. A calm, consistent process produces fewer errors than a fast, reactive one, even under deadline pressure.

What Changes in Communications Work Are You Watching With the Most Interest?

How information reaches people who are not specialists. Making something accurate is only half the job. Making it understandable to someone outside the field is the harder half, and it is where I think the most improvement is still needed.

What Advice Would You Give Someone Starting Out in This Kind of Work?

Learn the guidelines before you try to be clever with them. Most mistakes in this field come from skipping a step, not from lacking creativity. Get the process right first.