On February 13th at 10 AM, the World Bank – KDI School Internship Program Information Session was held online to provide prospective applicants with key details about the internship and firsthand experiences from a current intern, Sumin Kim.

The World Bank – KDI School Internship Program is designed to develop global public leaders by providing hands-on experience in macroeconomics, taxation, and expenditure policy. Interns work with World Bank experts, contributing to research, policy analysis, and government advisory projects. The six-month program takes place at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., with intakes in May and November. The deadline for the May intake has passed, but I recommend that students interested in the program should start preparing for the November intake to maximize their chances of selection.

The Fiscal Policy and Sustainable Growth Unit, which oversees the internship, focuses on macro-fiscal policies, public expenditure, revenue mobilization, and climate-related fiscal policies. Interns participate in knowledge-sharing activities and collaborate with economists from diverse backgrounds.

Internship Details and Selection Process

A member of KDI School’s administrative staff introduced an overview of the internship application process, emphasizing the importance of research skills, macro-fiscal knowledge, and fluency in English. The selection process includes submission of a resume and an expression of interest to KDI School, KDI School shortlisting candidates for the World Bank’s final review. 

A current World Bank intern, Sumin Kim, shared valuable insights into her experience at the World Bank, highlighting the projects she has been working on.

Sumin Kim is currently involved in three major projects at the World Bank: 

- Tax Acceleration: This project explores how an increase in tax revenue can drive economic growth in developing countries. The research now focuses on identifying the key factors that contribute to tax revenue growth.

- Building Fiscal Resilience in Small Island Developing States (P507542): This project aims to enhance the fiscal resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are particularly vulnerable to external shocks such as economic instability and climate crises. The research provides economic policy recommendations to strengthen their financial sustainability.

- Vietnam Public Financial Review (PFR): A periodic report assessing Vietnam's public finance system.

Her responsibilities in these projects include data collection, data processing, visualization, research, case study writing, presentation material preparation, and participation in meetings and conferences.

Personal Insights: Sumin Kim’s Academic and Professional Journey

Sumin, an MPM major, mentioned that her undergraduate studies were unrelated to economics. She developed her expertise in economics through specialized sessions at KDI School, which helped her overcome initial challenges and gain confidence in economic analysis.

When asked about the hiring process, she revealed that she succeeded on her second attempt after narrowly missing selection in her first interview. Her strong career vision and ability to articulate how this internship aligned with her future goals were key factors in securing the position.

Q&A Highlights

Q1. Can non-native English speakers communicate effectively in the internship?

→ The environment is similar to KDI School, so language skills should be manageable.

Q2. What programming skills are required?

→ R programming skills were useful, but Stata and Excel were widely used at the World Bank. Learning on the job is possible. So do not worry about it too much.

Q3. How was the World Bank interview process?

→ Conducted by two interviewers in a 40-minute conversational format rather than a high-pressure setting.

→ Proactiveness and personality traits were key evaluation points.

Q4. What advice do you have for future applicants?

→ Attending World Bank-KDI School webinars to familiarize yourself with ongoing projects is highly recommended.

The World Bank – KDI School Internship Program provides a unique opportunity for students interested in fiscal policy and global development. The insights shared during the info session highlighted the program’s rigorous selection process, the intensive learning environment, and the invaluable networking opportunities. For students aspiring to gain experience at the World Bank, this internship serves as an excellent stepping stone. If you're reading this, I hope you will be the main subject of the next World Bank internship feature article.