Early Careers Programme, Fall 2026 Cohort, US

6-month employment based in New York and San Francisco

The World Economic Forum is an independent, not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Geneva, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Beijing, and Tokyo.

We are the trusted platform for public-private cooperation where leaders come together to understand global challenges and drive action across sectors and regions. We create spaces where different stakeholders engage openly, build trust, and collaborate to help solve shared global challenges.

As part of our global team of over 1’000+ employees across six offices representing more than 100 nationalities, you will have the opportunity to influence systems level change, build communities of action, and broaden your perspective.

Programme Overview

We believe that early career talents are an essential and vibrant part of our community. The Early Careers Program 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.

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

Conditions and benefits of the Early Careers Program

• 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 USD $4,550

Application and Selection Process

Please review the opportunity below and use the “Apply” link to submit your resume and responses to application questions, indicating which functional and thematic areas are best suited for you. Applications will be accepted until Sunday, 14 June 2026. Here is what you may expect from the selection process:

Candidates who pass the initial resumes’ 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 occupational preferences questionnaire, followed by an interview with the Talent Acquisition team. Offers will be extended to selected candidates, contingent upon successful reference checks and background verification.

What you will do 

As a participant in our Early Careers Program, you will have the opportunity to work within specific functional areas, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to impactful projects. Throughout the program, 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:

• Finance, Procurement, Legal and Compliance

• Hospitality, Facility Management

• People and Culture

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.

Why join us?

Join an independent and impartial organization with over 55 years of connecting leaders to make sense of global challenges and move the world forward together.