ESSAY GUIDELINES AND

EXAMPLE

CONFIDENTIAL – FOR EXTERNAL

DISTRIBUTION

Developing the next generation of Indonesian

leaders

Developing the next generation of Indonesian

leaders

In your essay, describe your personal aspiration of leading change in

Indonesia by 2030 and how are you planning to achieve your

aspiration

ASPIRATION

FUTURE

PLANS

“What is your passion and area of interests as a

young Indonesian?”

“What is your aspiration in 2030 in order to

contribute change for Indonesia?”

“Where are you today?”

“What skills and capabilities you have developed

so far?”

“What is your case for change? What problem

are you trying to solve to contribute to

Indonesia?”

“What are the steps or skillset that you need to

develop to achieve your aspiration?”

“How will YLI help you to achieve your

aspiration?”

CURRENT

STATE

YLI Application Essay – Example

2

In 2030, I aspire to become the Ministry of Economics of Indonesia, with key programs focusing in poverty

reduction and equality promotion within the country. Why? I see Indonesia as a country with endless

possibilities, yet very few of our people get to have a chance at grabbing those opportunities. I believe with

the right public policies and programs – this aspiration should no longer be merely a dream for the

country.

Today, I am currently studying Economics at University X as a first step towards building my technical

skills and knowledge in Economics theory. On top of developing my technical skills and knowledge in

economics, I have taken active role in the executive student boards (Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa) as the

head of the Social & Economics division, leading 20 people and an average of 5 socio-economics

initiatives per semester, such as Village Development program, Training-The-Teachers program for street

kids school, and much more.

Reflecting on my current position and my aspiration in 2030, I have highlighted several skills sets and

networking gaps that I need to close. For skill sets, I realize the need to achieve higher education in

Economics or Public Policy to Ph.D. level to enable myself in understanding nation-wide economy and

determining effective public policies as a Minister in the future. On top of that, I also need to strengthen my

leadership skills forward through continuing to take on more leadership role with larger responsibilities and

opportunity for impact. As for network, I foresee the need of building a network within the Economics circle

as well as experts with hands on experience in developing public policies in Indonesia.

To close the skillset and network gaps ahead, I have planned several critical milestones to achieve in the

near term and long term. Within the near term (next 5 years), I plan to obtain my bachelor degree in

Economics, and jump into a first job with a government agency (BAPPENAS), while applying for

scholarships for Master degree in economics or public policy. After obtaining my master degree, I would

like to go back to Indonesia and get more work experience in the field of economic, development, or public

policy in a more international organization to get wider perspective – like the World Bank. In the medium

term (next 10 years), I would like to go to Ph.D program and sharpen my technical knowledge further.

Doing this program will also be a great opportunity in widening my network with economics professors and

other key figures in the circle. I would then go back to the country and seek for higher level position either

in government agencies or multinational agencies to start proving my worth and penetrating my way

towards the political circle.

Joining YLI will be the first of many steps I will take to close the gaps towards achieving my aspiration. The

leadership modules and sharing sessions by inspiring leaders in the country will give me valuable

knowledge in terms of skillsets. Meeting fellow young leaders will also expand my network.

Aspiration

Define your

aspiration in

2030 and

briefly explain

why you are

pursuing this

aspiration

Today

Describe

where you

are today in

your

leadership

journeyGrowth

aspiration

Identify what

skillset and

network you

need to

develop to

achieve your

aspiration.

Planning

ahead

Briefly lay

down your

plan towards

closing those

gaps and

eventually

achieving

your

aspiration.YLI Role

Describe

how YLI will

help you to

achieve your

aspiration.