Summer is for traveling, trying new things, and making unforgettable memories—no debate there. But what if you could do this while also taking a step forward in your career and rubbing shoulders with leading industry experts? Here at IE University, we have a program to help you have a very productive summer.
What’s the BIE-OECD summer program all about?
Students choose between three different topics to investigate: geopolitical risk, business investment attractiveness and the impact of industrial policies.
During the program, students also get to visit the OECD headquarters in Paris and take part in different activities with leading economic and financial institutions.
If you’re unfamiliar, the OECD is an international organization that works to shape policies for better lives, providing data-driven insights and recommendations to help governments and businesses make informed decisions.
Dual Degree in Economics & International Relations student Noor Ayoub took part in this summer’s program and shared his experience with us. Here’s what he had to say.
What did you expect going into the program?
I expected a challenging yet rewarding experience. I chose the geopolitical risk area, because it perfectly suited my interests given that I am a dual degree student of economics and international relations. And I’m really happy because this learning experience will be really useful going forward in my career.
Can you tell us a bit about your research topic and what the workflow looked like?
I analyzed the geopolitical risks that Nestlé, as a multinational corporation, faces in an interconnected and rapidly evolving global landscape. I focused on societal risk, or reputational risk, which explores the risk posed by the rigorous scrutiny from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and activist groups worldwide. Our final product was a coherent report that provides a comprehensive overview of Nestlé’s risks, providing valuable insights into how a major corporation can strategize for the future.
To manage our workload efficiently, we established internal deadlines and divided tasks based on the three dimensions of geopolitical risk outlined in the EY framework. This allowed each team member to focus on a specific area, while ensuring balanced contributions to the final report.
Teamwork was crucial given the remote nature of most of the program. My team members worked from various locations and across different time zones, so we had to develop effective strategies to stay organized and maintain productivity. We scheduled weekly online meetings with our advisor, whose insights and guidance were invaluable.
So, was it a productive summer? What did you gain from this program?
For starters, I was able to hone my critical thinking skills while working on a high-stakes project. I also gained a deeper understanding of how high-profile companies navigate not just financial risks, but also complex geopolitical ones, and how they can affect their day-to-day operations.
Problem solving was also essential in order to come up with innovative strategies for risk mitigation tailored to Nestlé’s global operations. We had to think outside the box to ensure that these strategies are reactive and proactive. This required integrating cross-disciplinary insights, such as understanding local potential climates, societal trends and global supply chain dynamics.
Any advice for future participants?
I would tell them to not be afraid to ask questions. That is the best way to enhance their understanding of the different issues and improve the quality of their experience. They should also seize the opportunity to network with the experts they are working with from the OECD.
I’m incredibly thankful for being selected. This opportunity has allowed me to explore pursuing a career in policy analysis, where I can conduct research, analyse data and tailor policy recommendations. Besides, the OECD is one of the institutions we often cite during our coursework, but there is a huge difference between referencing them in academic texts and experiencing their work firsthand!
If you too want a productive summer and work with industry experts and leading organizations, check out our Bachelor in Economics, our Dual Degree in Economics & International Relations and the OECD Summer program.