When tasked with the duty of searching for a job shadow for the Global Studies Program I had two goals: to make the experience meaningful and to contribute in a setting aligned with my strengths. While exploring options, I came across the World Bank and was struck by its mission: “to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.” This brief yet powerful statement solidified my desire to job shadow at the World Bank. During my initial consultation, I requested to join the Latin America and Caribbean region, drawing on my background in Spanish language and culture, an ideal match that proved to be the best decision I could have made.
Even though the office was quieter in the summer, I was welcomed with sonrisas y abrazos. My mentor Carolina Rezart and her assistant Jasmín thoughtfully prepared an itinerary that maximized my short week. During my time there, I met with professionals across various sectors who helped me understand how the World Bank functions from day to day, and how this contributes to their mission.
My first meeting was with Enric from the Digital Team. He walked me through how financial products like IPFs and DPFs are structured and explained the six phases of a World Bank project. Enric explained to me that a big part of what the World Bank does is identifies areas of need and gives money, however, they are not in charge of implementation. He also introduced me to another service offered by the World Bank: AdvAdvisory Services and Analytics (ASAs), a non-lending support system that includes research reports and applied policy advice.
Next, I met with Veronica from the People Team. Her prepared slideshows covering education, healthcare and social protection, informed me about the People Team and their mission to promote healthy lifestyles and productive economies. Veronica challenged me to summarize the team’s mission in simple terms, an exercise that helped crystallize what I had learned. My response is linked here.
I also had the privilege to venture to the World Bank’s Main HQ just a block over to talk to some people that work in the Executive Directors office (EDS8). There, I met with Rocio, who is an advisor to the ED. She explained to me the EDs role of direction oversight, the importance of consensus within the board, and the different types of board meetings that take place throughout the year. I was also fortunate enough to hear from the Senior Advisor to the ED, Carolina Avello. Carolina told me a little more about the different committees that each constituency can be involved in, and told me about her own experience with the gender committee: an informal working group that works to promote a gender balance on the board.
I also met with Aniqah from the Operations Services unit and Guillermo from the Chief Economist’s Office. Aniquah described her role as “ensuring policies are met and guiding operations across countries”. She spoke highly of the opportunities given to her by the World Bank and the “camaraderie” of its community, despite having moved around many times. Guillermo explained that his office serves as the Bank’s “research arm,” informing how funds are allocated to maximize impact/productivity. Unlike Aniquah’s varied path, Guillermo has spent his entire career in the LAC region. Despite different journeys, they have each found their own community at the Bank.
My final two meetings were with Chong from the INFRA team and Jeannine from the Planet team. Chong described infrastructure, especially energy, as the “backbone for development, showing me a real project example using seawater air conditioning in Grenada, he highlighted a way that the World Bank is working to create both affordable and sustainable energy for citizens in the Caribbean. Going hand in hand with this, Jeannine walked me through past projects to show how her team integrates environmental sustainability into World Bank operations. She explained the role of Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) specialists, who provide environmental guidance across sectors.
Although I did not get to include all parts of my journey in this report, as I reflect, I have a couple key takeaways from my time at the World Bank in the LAC Front Office.
- You can find the core ideals of their mission statement embedded everywhere throughout their work.
No matter what sector I visited, I found that they all intersect at the Bank’s core values. They work in unison to ensure that the ideals of the Bank are being lived out correctly.
- Exposure to diversity is central
Many long-time employees—including Vice President Felipe Jarramillo— emphasized how rotating roles across regions broadens perspective and strengthens impact.
- The Bank is always looking ahead
As a young person with little experience, I expected to just observe—but instead, people welcomed and encouraged my insights. This showed me the World Bank genuinely values youth perspectives and invests in future voices.
