Internship opportunities at international research institutions have become increasingly sought after by students interested in development economics and public policy. Christansya Eliora Manossoh, a 2022 Economics undergraduate at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), turned this aspiration into reality through an internship at J-PAL Southeast Asia (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Southeast Asia) in Jakarta.
Affectionately known as Chrissie, she shared that her interest in policy research first emerged during high school. However, her passion became more focused after taking the Development Economics and Microeconomics courses at FEB UGM.
“Policy should not be made based solely on assumptions or intuition. It needs to be backed by evidence. I believe evidence-based policymaking is extremely important,” she said during the Class to Career session titled Interning at J-PAL: More Than Just Data Processing? Learning Policy Through Field Research.
Her perspective broadened further during her student exchange at Erasmus School of Economics. She observed that while public policy in Indonesia still largely focuses on providing basic infrastructure, European countries have shifted their attention toward improving citizens’ well-being. This experience strengthened her determination to pursue development economics.
Chrissie later translated this interest into action by applying for an internship at J-PAL SEA. The recruitment process consisted of document screening and interviews. Although there were only two stages, the selection was highly competitive, making a strong CV and relevant experience essential. Her involvement with Research and Development for Social Impact (RDSI) and her role as a teaching assistant for Microeconomics significantly strengthened her application.
During her internship, Chrissie contributed to multiple research projects simultaneously. As a student intern, she worked across various stages of the research process, including data cleaning, data analysis, desk research, and supporting the dissemination of research findings through seminars. Before joining any project, she first completed training on Social and Behavioral Research Ethics.
“Before entering the research field or working on projects, we need to understand research ethics and principles. Research is not just about data or outcomes, but also about respecting the people who participate in the study,” she explained.
In terms of technical skills, Chrissie primarily used Stata during her internship while also learning R and LaTeX under the guidance of senior researchers. She described the working environment at J-PAL as highly supportive and collaborative, resembling the academic atmosphere at FEB UGM.
The internship also gave her a deeper understanding of the complexity of implementing policies based on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). She explained that evidence-based interventions require a rigorous process, beginning with problem identification, exploratory research, pilot testing, and partial implementation before moving to full-scale implementation, and concluding with continuous monitoring and evaluation.
“This is how policies should ideally be implemented. The process is incredibly long and involves many stakeholders, from researchers to government institutions. That is what truly impressed me,” she said.
This experience reinforced Chrissie’s belief that evidence-based policymaking demands dedication, collaboration, and considerable time. She encouraged students interested in policy research to prepare themselves by developing both technical and communication skills. Mastering data management and literature review is essential, as is the ability to communicate research findings effectively to broader audiences.
“Research is not simply about sitting behind a laptop, reading papers, or analyzing data. It is also about interpreting research and sharing it with others. How do we translate statistical results into explanations that are easier for the public to understand?” she remarked.
She also encouraged students not to underestimate their current portfolios and to start building evidence of their capabilities through small but meaningful experiences, such as coursework projects, independent research, and publishing code on GitHub.
“If not now, then when? Start with small steps, and from there you can prepare yourself for bigger opportunities,” she concluded.
Chrissie’s journey from the classrooms of FEB UGM to an international research institution demonstrates that cultivating one’s interests early and gaining relevant experience can open doors to greater opportunities in policy research.
The full Class to Career episode titled Interning at J-PAL: More Than Just Data Processing? Learning Policy Through Field Research is available at: http://ugm.id/MagangJPAL.
Reporter: Dwi Zhafirah Meiliani
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Sustainable Development Goals
