Developing the next generation of Indonesian

leaders
Developing the next generation of Indonesian
leaders

ESSAY GUIDELINES AND

EXAMPLE

CONFIDENTIAL FOR EXTERNAL

DISTRIBUTION

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

Indonesia by 2030 and how are you planning to achieve your
aspiration

What is your passion and area of interests as a

young Indonesian?
ASPIRATION
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?
CURRENT
What is your case for change? What problem
STATE
are you trying to solve to contribute to
Indonesia?

FUTURE
PLANS

What are the steps or skillset that you need to

develop to achieve your aspiration?
How will YLI help you to achieve your
aspiration?

YLI Application Essay Example

Aspiration
Define your
aspiration in
2030 and
briefly explain
why you are
pursuing this
aspiration

Growth
aspiration
Identify what
skillset and
network you
need to
develop to
achieve your
aspiration.

YLI Role
Describe
how YLI will
help you to
achieve your
aspiration.

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.

Today
Describe
where you
are today in
your
leadership
journey

Planning
ahead
Briefly lay
down your
plan towards
closing those
gaps and
eventually
achieving
your
aspiration.

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.