FASTEST Way To ACTUALLY Get a Job in the UN World Bank, Google, or Amazon (5 Steps I wish I knew )

Summary

This video provides practical guidance for building a successful career in public policy, international organizations, or tech-policy roles, even for those who did not clear civil services exams. It emphasizes avoiding costly, low-value Indian policy schools and instead focusing on developing a strong interdisciplinary skill set, combining economics, finance, liberal arts, communication, and technology skills like coding and data analytics. The speaker highlights the importance of networking, mentorship, and practical learning through fellowships or masterclasses. By understanding market realities, reverse-engineering skills, and adopting a Plan A & Plan B strategy, aspirants can secure rewarding roles in the UN, World Bank, tech firms, or policy consulting.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Avoid enrolling in Indian public policy schools as they often provide low practical value despite high fees.
• 💸 Investment in certifications or degrees does not equate to acquiring real, market-relevant skills.
• 📚 Focus on building tangible skills like economics, finance, data analytics, coding, and machine learning.
• 🗣️ Develop soft skills such as communication, negotiation, and critical thinking alongside technical expertise.
• 🌐 Policy roles now extend beyond governments; tech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon hire for policy positions.
• 🔍 Reverse engineer the skills that are in demand by international organizations and companies, and acquire them.
• ⏱️ Dedicate focused time (e.g., 4–5 months) to acquire high-value skills if initial career plans don’t succeed.
• 🤝 Networking and mentorship are critical for career growth, exposure, and understanding real-world applications.
• 📈 Continuous learning through fellowships, masterclasses, and real-world projects provides significant practical advantage.
• 💡 Combining policy knowledge with technological literacy makes you highly valuable in modern policy and consulting roles.
• 🎯 Market values talent and skill sets over certificates or prestigious degrees, emphasizing results and applicability.
• 🧩 Understanding global trends, data-driven decision-making, and policy-business-tech intersections is crucial for success.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main advice about joining public policy schools in India?

The speaker strongly advises against enrolling in Indian public policy schools, criticizing them for offering poor-quality education and charging exorbitant fees. According to the speaker, these schools often teach basic concepts and lack practical relevance, which fails to equip students with the necessary skills for a successful career in policy-making.

Why does the speaker consider the investment in Indian public policy schools to be a 'trap'?

The speaker believes the investment is a 'trap' because students spend large sums of money (around 10 lakh INR) for certifications from institutions that do not provide practical skills or significant career advantages. Graduates end up in secondary research positions with little to no real-world impact, making the investment unwise.

What skills does the speaker recommend for building a successful career in public policy or international relations?

The speaker recommends a combination of soft and hard skills, including fundamentals of policy consulting, economics, finance, liberal arts, philosophy, communication, negotiation, machine learning, and data analytics. A strong understanding of technology is also essential, as it plays a crucial role in modern policy-making.

Why is it important for policy professionals to learn technology-related skills like coding and machine learning?

Technology has become integral to every sector, including public policy. Understanding coding and machine learning enables policy professionals to analyze data effectively, predict scenarios, and make data-driven decisions. This technological literacy is essential for success in modern policy-making roles, especially in organizations like the UN and the World Bank.

What does the speaker say about the role of international organizations like the UN and the World Bank in hiring policy professionals?

The speaker highlights that organizations like the UN and the World Bank look for candidates with strong backgrounds in economics, finance, policy, and complementary technical skills. However, he also points out that these are not the only organizations hiring for policy roles, as many private companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon also scout for talent in policy-related fields.

How does the speaker suggest reversing engineering skill sets for policy professionals?

The speaker recommends analyzing the skill sets that are valued in the market, particularly those that combine policy knowledge with technical expertise in areas like business and technology. By understanding what skills are in demand, aspiring policy professionals can tailor their learning and apply to relevant jobs.

What is the speaker's attitude towards traditional degrees and certifications in the public policy domain?

The speaker emphasizes that traditional degrees and certifications are not as important as practical skills in the public policy field. He stresses the need for policy professionals to focus on acquiring valuable, market-relevant skills, rather than relying on degrees or certifications that may not contribute significantly to their career growth.

What does the speaker recommend for those who do not succeed in their primary career path (like UPSC exams)?

The speaker suggests dedicating four to five months to learning the relevant skill sets (such as economics, finance, and technology) if their primary career path (like the UPSC exams) doesn't work out. By building these skills, individuals can successfully pivot to alternative careers in public policy, international relations, or consulting.

How does the speaker view the role of tech companies in shaping the future of policy roles?

The speaker sees tech companies as increasingly influential in the policy field, with organizations like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft hiring experts in areas such as data privacy, internet policy, and regulatory compliance. This shows that policy roles are no longer confined to government entities and are expanding into the private sector, particularly in technology-driven fields.

What personal experience does the speaker share about their career journey?

The speaker shares their experience of being selected as a fellow at GGI, where they learned valuable lessons about management consulting, leadership, and policy consulting. They highlight the importance of networking, continued learning, and being exposed to a wide range of topics, which helped them build confidence and gain practical insights into the consulting industry.