Blog by Ivana Manuel (LLM International Law and Development), World Bank Group Intern in 2021
Please tell us about your placement organisation and the role you undertook?
I was an intern with the Insolvency and Debt Resolution Team of the World Bank Group from September to December 2021. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, I was unable to travel to Washington DC and instead worked remotely. Nonetheless, I received a very warm welcome from the team and found the experience to be incredibly rewarding.
During my time as an intern, I was able to work with multiple team members on various projects. My work included reviewing and commenting on documents, conducting research, drafting technical notes and reports, supporting online initiatives, and participating in meetings with stakeholders. Given the diversity of the team’s work, I was able to support projects relating to, for example, non-performing loans, tax priorities, and reforms to client countries’ insolvency laws.
Please tell us how you discovered this placement and the application process?
I was made aware of the internship through an email that was circulated by the School of Law. In addition to this advertisement, Professor Irit Mevorach mentioned the opportunity during an International Aspects of Corporate Law and Insolvency class.
The first stage of the application process was the submission of a cover letter and CV. I would highly recommend dedicating a good amount of time to tailoring both of these to the role. I always had the placement advert on hand while writing my cover letter so I could easily refer to the selection criteria and duties of the role. This helped me ensure that my cover letter contained as much relevant information as possible. In addition to writing about my experiences and skills, I also referenced projects by the Insolvency and Debt Resolution team that I was aware of to demonstrate my interest and understanding of their work.
Upon being shortlisted for the interview, I prepared by conducting more research into the team’s work and the World Bank Group as a whole. I also familiarised myself with insolvency trends in a few geographical areas of interest. Although being able to show interest in insolvency and international issues is important, I would advise not to put too much pressure on yourself when preparing -- no one expects you to be an expert in all-things insolvency and to reiterate a series of facts during the whole interview!
Another key aspect of my preparation for the interview was practising how to answer questions relating to my skillset. It is very easy to list roles and experiences but harder to coherently explain how you gained certain skills. Skills such as communication and being able to work in a team are very important. I found that identifying and writing down specific examples of skill development prior to the interview is helpful. Once I had pre-identified some examples, I practised how I would structure my answers using the STAR method.
What did you enjoy most on placement at the World Bank and how do you feel it benefited you?
My favourite aspect of the internship was that none of my assignments were ever the same. Although drafting was a significant component of my work, I did this for a wide range of topics and this allowed me to learn a lot during my internship. Some of the topics I wrote about were the role of technology in facilitating insolvency, how pandemic-related support measures have impacted recent trends in insolvency filings, and a case study on Portugal’s debt transferability regime.
I was also involved in the organisation of online initiatives. One of these events was the inaugural UNCITRAL-World Bank Group Judicial Capacity-Building Initiative on International Best Practices in the Area of Insolvency Law. This initiative was a platform for judges from all over the world to discuss their experiences with domestic insolvency cases. Although I was exposed to different legal systems throughout my internship, I found this event to be particularly fascinating because I was able to hear first-hand accounts regarding how international best practices are integrated within different legal cultures. It was also very exciting to see myself featured on the event programme that was posted on UNCITRAL’s website!
Please give us an example of any learning or self-development whilst on placement?
Given the prestige of the internship and the level of responsibility you are given, it can be easy to feel unsure about yourself. I struggled with this in the beginning however, asking questions early on and carefully listening to feedback helped immensely. I also found that looking back on my completed assignments helped me reassure myself and stop putting unnecessary pressure on myself.
A piece of advice I received from a team member was to “always try to be three steps ahead.” A simple example of this is, prior to a meeting, I would have any relevant documentation open on my laptop so I could quickly share my screen for the benefit of all participants if necessary. I also took notes during meetings without being expressly asked to do so. Being encouraged to be as proactive as possible through small changes helped me become more comfortable in the role and trust myself more. This piece of advice is one that I will definitely remember in my future endeavours.
Do you have any advice for future interns interested in careers and placements at the World Bank or in a similar field?
With regard to the application process, my main recommendation is to give yourself enough time to prepare. I would recommend familiarising yourself with the work of the World Bank Group and developments within the area of insolvency. Also, practice answering skills-based questions.
If you have been selected for this internship, congratulations! My main pieces of advice are to trust yourself and be proactive. The team is very supportive so do not be afraid to reach out with questions or concerns!