This past summer, six Princeton undergraduates received summer internship awards from the Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy & Finance (JRCPPF). Funded through generous support from Joyce Chang *90, these summer experiences helped students build their knowledge of finance and economic policy issues through work at a diverse set of organizations. JRCPPF’s summer internship program, started in 2014, is open to all Princeton undergraduates seeking to pursue an unpaid summer internship in the areas of financial markets and public policy either in the U.S. or abroad. While the internships varied significantly in terms of specific topic and geographic location, all provided the students with very valuable experiences that helped them define their future career paths.
Abigail Leibowitz ’26 conducted a survey of small businesses and entrepreneurship for the Beloved Community Incubator (BCI), a community trust in Washington, D.C. metro region. Leibowitz analyzed the challenges—such as lack of capital, debt fears, and legal hurdles–facing aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to start businesses in region. Her analysis of the survey data revealed that many respondents were hampered by financial instability, inflexible jobs, and care-taking responsibilities, and that there was significant demand for community-run services like childcare and elder care. She also spoke with organizational partners and explored business succession options, including employee stock ownership plans, where employees get partial ownership, and cooperatives that offer employees and customers full decision-making power and profit sharing. Leibowitz said the experience working with BCI was a remarkable opportunity to learn about material needs and economic conditions in the Washington metro area, as well as innovative collective ownership models that can sustain thriving local communities.
Alistair Wright ’27 interned at WOWS Global, a company focused on increasing equity in the startup ecosystem through provision of legal advice, financial management tools, and connections to investors—all via a digital platform. Over the course of his internship in Bangkok, Wright researched business models, engaged with companies, and communicated with investors to align with their funding goals with the needs of startups. He also tracked market trends in the Southeast Asia region, expanding his knowledge of international economics beyond the United States. Overall, Wright said his internship provided valuable insights on disrupting fundraising inequalities and has helped shaped his future career aspirations.
Sol Seo Choi ’26 and Josephine Wender ’26 both interned with the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) in Copenhagen, working on the “Just Transition Project” for the DIHR Africa sub-committee. Their work looked at how to build a more equitable and green extraction process for critical minerals (lithium, nickel, and graphite) in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, the DRC, and Angola. Choi helped draft four major reports, including analyses of Tanzanian and Zimbabwean mining projects, the Lobito Economic Corridor’s battery value chain, and African policy developments related to the just energy transition. Additionally, he tracked mining laws, researched corruption risks in foreign direct investment in mining, and assessed human rights concerns within the sector. Wender’s research looked at how to ensure fair labor practices and value chain improvements. She drafted a memo on resettlement practices in Zambia and the DRC, a review of international regulations on just transitions, contributed to a project on feminist theory in extractive industries, and developed actionable policy insights for DIHR. Overall, their work on the challenges of Africa’s green energy transition highlights the importance of smart policy to align the incentives of mining companies and external investors with environmental protection and respect for human rights.
Laura Kahu ’27 spent her summer internship in Cape Town, South Africa, working with DiiVe and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. She was a member of a team assessing the design of a new marine conservation center through customer surveys and stakeholder interviews. Kahu said the experience offered insights into consulting, teamwork, and the culture of South Africa that has profoundly shaped her personal and professional growth.
Sunrit Panda ’25 interned with KREEYA, doing field research on the environmental and financial challenges of crop stubble burning in West Bengal. Working with two community partners, he assessed the financial and environmental costs of current practices compared to alternative, burn-free, seeding methods. Meetings with the Agricultural Minister and a review of state policies revealed how entrenched political dynamics hinder innovation, underscoring the need for realistic, community-focused solutions. “Farmers in West Bengal are open to new practices, but their willingness to adopt them hinges on trust, experience, and clear financial benefits,” Panda wrote. The experience deepened his understanding of sustainable agriculture and the intersection with policy and social impact. Panda hopes to continue this work through his senior thesis on the topic and by pursuing a Fulbright grant to support further research.
