Early in my career, I had the incomparable opportunity to serve in a post where there were more tasks than hands on deck. That allowed — even forced — me to stretch in new directions and take on challenges I would not have learned to surmount under more comfortable conditions.

I had graduated from the diplomacy programme of my country, the Republic of Korea, with the opportunity to select my first assignment from among any of the capitals where we had embassies. As an entry-level junior professional, I deliberately chose what I saw as an important and adventurous posting, in New Delhi.

 At the time, the Korean embassy was small — but that was precisely its appeal to me. With far fewer fellow officials than in other major hubs, I could pay my dues and still handle the policy issues that had attracted me to diplomacy in the first place.

My choice paid off. I did make plenty of copies and run errands in New Delhi — but I also had the chance to write briefs, generate analysis, meet with officials, and apply the education I had been fortunate to receive starting on Day One.

Ban Ki-Moon with his landlady of 40 years ago

I developed a strong affinity for the region that went far beyond what it gave me professionally. India and South Asia as a whole have a very special place in my heart. My second child, a son, was born there, my daughter married an Indian man, and I like to joke that my favourite Korean-Indian joint venture is the grandchild she added to our family.

To this day, when I evaluate candidates to serve at the United Nations, I consider what they have done to be far more important than whether they have served in a high-profile position.

When you are young, the future is open — and so is the world. Now is the time to choose the rocky road instead of the paved path. You may have to move many obstacles on your journey to success, but when you arrive you will be much stronger for the effort. 

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Ban Ki-Moon is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations