Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Economists at The World Bank
For entry-level economists, the World Bank offers internships to familiarize applicants with "all kinds of projects" and "young professionals" programs for recent graduates, with the latter involving mentorship within "a group, which we call the Mission," providing on-the-job training alongside experienced colleagues. Academic paths involve research and teaching assistant roles, progressing to assistant professor positions.
Entry-Level Positions, Internships, Young Professionals Programs, International Development, Economic Analysis
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Pedro Belli
Economist
The World Bank
Amherst College
University of California, Berkeley - PhD, Economics
Psychology
Education, Government & Public Sector
Consulting
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Internships at the World Bank provide familiarity with the organization's projects and activities.
2. The World Bank's Young Professionals program is designed for recent university graduates with limited prior experience.
3. Both internships and the Young Professionals program offer opportunities for practical experience and mentorship from experienced professionals at the World Bank
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
Okay, let me talk about the World Bank. As far as economic academia is concerned, you have to be a research assistant and preferably a teaching assistant. You gain some experience doing that, and then you start teaching at a low level as an assistant professor. You learn from other professors how to convey your ideas better.
At the World Bank, there are different things you can do if you're interested in that kind of work. There are at least two or three positions that will familiarize you with what they do there.
Number one, you can spend time as an intern, perhaps for a summer or two. Many people do that. Number two, you can join the World Bank as a "young professional." These are people who have just graduated from university and don't have much experience using their economic knowledge or teaching.
When I was there, there was a limit to how old you could be to join the young professionals program, maybe around 30 or 33 years old. I don't remember the exact age, and I don't know if they still have the same programs.
Internships were also very good because they acquainted you with all kinds of projects and activities the World Bank does. That was the main idea behind the internship.
With the young professionals program, you were supposed to be learning from your peers at the bank. In addition to the work you do, if you go to a particular country, you don't go alone. You go as part of a group called a Mission.
That group is headed by a very experienced professional who can guide you on what to look for, what to say, and the problems that arise and how they are solved. It's sort of a training at the same time that you are practicing. Those are the two main things: internships and the young professional programs.
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