By: Eunji Pyo, KGGTF 2025 Youth Intern
On February 6, 2025, interns from the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund’s (KGGTF) second Youth Internship Program participated in a full-day engagement at the World Bank Korea Office, listening to Senior Specialists and the Special Representative to Korea’s lectures on their expertise and their career journey. This immersive experience gave interns a comprehensive perspective on global development while equipping them with practical career insights.
The day opened with a Career Talk and greeting session by Mr. Jason Allford, Special Representative to the Republic of Korea, World Bank. This session connected the technical knowledge gained throughout the day with practical career strategies, highlighting sectoral expertise, networking, and adaptability as fundamental pillars of success in international development.
Mr. Allford stressed the value of specialization, advising “Don’t be afraid to specialize. Experts are highly employable in organizations like ours.” He encouraged interns to develop strong technical expertise in areas such as development finance, policy analysis, environmental sustainability, and digital transformation, emphasizing that deep expertise is highly sought after in international organizations.
Another key takeaway was the importance of proactivity. Many aspiring professionals hesitate to apply for roles due to self-doubt, inadvertently limiting their own opportunities. Allford urged interns to overcome this hesitation, stating: “If you don’t apply, you won’t get it. The worst that can happen is someone says no.” His advice encouraged interns to seize opportunities, take bold steps, and trust in their capabilities when navigating their career paths.
Through this session, interns gained a clearer understanding of how to strategically position themselves for careers in international organizations. The discussion on specialization, proactivity, and navigating the global development landscape provided a strong foundation for interns looking to build meaningful careers in international development.
The afternoon program featured two expert-led lectures on key global development themes. Inchul Hwang, Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank, led a session on energy transition, explaining how policy frameworks, investment strategies, and technological advancements drive the shift toward sustainable energy. The session was followed by a session by Mr. Zaki Khoury, Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank, discussing digital transformation in economic growth and climate resilience, emphasizing the role of AI, data governance, and digital finance in bridging global economic disparities. These lectures reinforced the importance of specialized expertise in tackling global development challenges, encouraging interns to consider how their skills align with emerging industry needs.
As the program concluded, it became clear that the day was more than just a learning experience—it was a guided exploration of career possibilities. The technical discussions on governance, digital transformation, and energy transition helped interns understand global development priorities, while the Career Talk provided them with tangible strategies for positioning themselves in the field. With insights from industry experts, networking opportunities, and exposure to real-world development challenges, the program empowered interns to refine their career goals and explore pathways in international development, finance, and policy-making.