"At the OECD directorate for financial and enterprise affairs (DAF), I was in charge of conducting an annual survey on large pension funds worldwide, the logistics of two upcoming seminars on sustainable and digital finance, and the preparation of background reports for these events. The annual survey covers about 90 public and private pension funds globally and is part of the work of G20/OECD Task Force on Long-term Investment.

The survey had a particular focus on integration of ESG factors in infrastructure investment this year. The same theme was shared by one of the seminars, and therefore also the background report we were preparing. In the wake of the Paris Agreement, sustainable finance is rapidly evolving from mere hype to a standard requirement for institutional investors. However, the nascent field of sustainable finance is far from achieving a transparent market, with numerous definitions and disclosure practices pertaining to each of the ESG pillars causing confusion among investors. The mission to standardize definition, rating methodology, and reporting formats for ESG activities perfectly matches the function of the OECD as a forum of international standard setting. Likewise, the seminar on digital finance delved into contemporary issues related to decentralized finance (DeFi) and central bank digital currencies, both of which require global consensus and collaboration that can be reached through facilitation by the OECD.

My experience at CBS had a clear impact on my contribution to the organization. Compiling survey results and making further inquiries if necessary, I constantly drew on what I learned about financial statement analysis and portfolio investments. In particular, the knowledge of capital market theory immensely helped me to understand the implications of integrating ESG factors to a traditional portfolio, such as incorporating climate risks into asset valuation. Had it not been for the training I went through in finance classes, I couldn’t have been able to see how investors felt about risks and opportunities of sustainable finance. In addition, the process of preparing a deliverable in a small team of analysts and interns resembled that of the learning team experience during core courses. As a result, dividing tasks, setting manageable deadlines and following up each other had been relatively easy for me, given our team consisted of members with various backgrounds.

The internship was in hybrid format so I worked remotely as well as the headquarters in Paris. Since my task required close communication with colleagues, the virtual environment did pose some difficulties. However, the OECD had established a robust remote working infrastructure, and frequent meetings on Zoom or Teams catalyzed interaction among our team. Also, we could meet each other in person at the office or lunch breaks, which further fostered a strong team spirit. I faced another challenge when an experienced member who handled the annual survey in previous years left the organization to pursue a new career. Taking over his task first seemed daunting, but through frequent email communication I was able to win support from as many pension funds as the previous year. Last but not least, the OECD internship gave me the chance to stay in Paris, which was a new environment. The language barrier and other cultural differences presented certain hurdles, but at the same time it was a precious opportunity to experience a different work ethic and way of business.

My summer at OECD not only was a perfect testbed for what I learned in my first year at CBS, but it also prepared me for a future career in international finance. Conducting financial analyses in close communication with professional researchers and asset managers forged robust insight that I will be able to utilize later in areas, including investment management, international standard setting, and regulatory reform on sustainable finance, fintech, or other new issues. Furthermore, the highly interactive and collaborative nature of the project provided many valuable lessons I will recall when I take up management roles post-MBA.

Since participating in an OECD conference on public debt management back in 2016, I had hoped to experience the open and academic culture of the organization from the inside. This opportunity fulfilled my wish as well as reinforced my belief in the strength of an organizational culture where governments, financial institutions, and researchers freely exchange their views to formulate better policies for better lives."