World Economic Forum 2026 Early Careers Programme.

World Economic Forum believe that early career talents are an essential and vibrant part of our community. The Early Careers Programme provides an exciting opportunity for participants to get a feel for working at the Forum, bringing in fresh ideas and gaining valuable real-world experience.

Benefits

Full-time onsite employment contract of 6 months at a World Economic Forum office
Programme start dates between 1 September and 1 October
Monthly gross compensation of CHF 4’500 (salary and medical allowance) / CNY 12’500 (salary) / INR 91’666 / JPY 333’333

Skills and competencies you will develop at the Forum

Institutional purpose – create spaces where different stakeholders engage openly, build trust, and collaborate to help solve shared global challenges.
Collaboration and relationship management – ability to work cooperatively in diverse teams, contributing to group goals and supporting colleagues.
Communication – verbal and written communication abilities to effectively convey ideas and collaborate with team members and stakeholders.
Problem-Solving – critically evaluate information, identify patterns, and develop insights to support decision-making processes.
Adaptability and Resilience – comfortable shifting priorities, embrace change and quickly adjust to new environments, technologies, and methodologies.
Professional judgment: understanding workplace expectations, ethics, and decision-making.

🚀 Before You Submit: Check These Scholarship-Winning Essays Templates

Requirements for World Economic Forum Early Careers Programme

The positions are best suited to bachelor’s and master’s program graduates, with a maximum of 3 years cumulated work experience (inclusive of internships).

Selection Process

Candidates who pass the initial screening will be invited to complete an asynchronous video interview. Candidates who perform well in the video interview will proceed to interviews with the hiring manager and a team member. The hiring team will shortlist candidates to complete a personality questionnaire, followed by an interview with the Talent Acquisition team. Offers will be extended to selected candidates, contingent to successful reference checks and background verification.

What you will do

As a participant in our Early Careers Programme, you will have the opportunity to work within specific functional areas, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to impactful projects. Throughout the programme, you’ll collaborate with experienced professionals and develop a diverse skill set that can accelerate your career.

Below are the different areas where you can work and develop your expertise:

Business Development and Engagement – Build and strengthen the strategic relationships that power the Forum’s year-round platform. You will design thoughtful engagement plans aligned with partner priorities and global needs, ensuring leaders can connect, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to shared outcomes.

Or Project and Community Management – Guide and coordinate the Forum’s collaborative initiatives. You will bring stakeholders together around shared goals, support thoughtful planning, and help communities maintain momentum as they work on global and industry challenges.

When applying for either of above job categories, you will have the opportunity to select the content/industry area you primarily wish to focus on:

Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains
AI, Frontier Technologies and Cybersecurity
Economic Growth, Equity and Inclusion, Human Capital and Skills
Energy and Materials
Financial and Monetary Systems
Regional Government Agenda, Trade and Geopolitics
Health and Healthcare
Sustainability, Nature and Climate
Urban Transformation

Digital and Data – Enable the digital foundation of global collaboration. You will design and enhance the tools, systems, and insights that help communities connect, share knowledge, and scale the impact of the Forum’s trusted spaces.

Events and Experience – Create the environments where global collaboration happens. You will design and deliver high-impact programmes and events – physical and digital – that foster connection, build trust, and enable leaders to work together on shared priorities.

Communication and Outreach – Help audiences understand the Forum’s work and why it matters. You will shape clear, accessible communications that explain key initiatives, share insights from our communities, and support consistent engagement across digital and media channels.

Core enabling Functions – Strengthen the Forum from within. In roles across Finance, People and Culture, Legal, Operations, and other core functions, you will help uphold the systems, culture, and values that ensure the Forum operates with excellence and integrity.

When applying for core enabling functions, you will have the opportunity to select the functional area you wish to primarily be considered for: