Jens Schlechter

MSc International Development: Industry, Trade and Development

Why did you choose to study at The University of Manchester?

I am from Munich, Germany. During and after my undergraduate studies in Political Science and Economics, I interned at Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which is the German government’s implementing organization for projects in technical and international cooperation. I found this area of work to be very interesting and rewarding so I decided to pursue a Master’s degree specializing in economic development with a strong focus on the role of the manufacturing sector and the international trading system. Manchester, with its history as an industrial powerhouse, its decline and subsequential transformation into a service industry hub, seemed like an interesting place to study the kind of degree I wanted to pursue.  

Why did you choose your particular course?

I chose to study Industry, Trade and Development at GDI mainly because of the classes they offered focusing on economic development driven by industrial development and the integration into Global Value Chains. I particularly appreciated the critical perspective on the institutional setup of the international trading system and its implications for the prospects of developing countries to ‘catch up’. I was especially interested in the effects, which international trade has on the labourers in developing countries, who are tied into the international trading system.

I wrote my thesis about the impacts of the German Textile Alliance, which aims to improve the livelihoods of workers in the countries, where textiles are made. With the support of my supervisor, I interviewed various stakeholders in the German textile industry.

What have you done since graduation?

After handing in my thesis at UoM in September 2015, I interned at ILO where I received a stipend funding my work at the Research Department. My main area of work was to assess the impact of labour clauses in international trade agreements. In this role, I largely benefitted from the knowledge and analytical skills I gained at GDI.

After the internship at ILO, I started GIZ’s Young Professional Programme working on a project on Trade Promotion in Kyrgyzstan. The project’s main goal was to integrate Kyrgyz smallholder farmers into Regional and Global Value Chains with a focus on European buyers. My role was to support the project management and to advise the manager on macroeconomic and socio-economic questions. After the Young Professional Programme, I stayed at GIZ to continue working in Kyrgyzstan as an advisor in a project on Trade Promotion and a project on Trade Facilitation. Key roles included a) strengthening the Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce’s capacities to enable Kyrgyz suppliers to utilize Kyrgyzstan’s GSP+ status, which grants duty free access to the EU’s market, b) analysing the Central Asian countries’ progress towards their commitments made when signing the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement and finding ways on how to address short comings, which hamper the countries’ economic development c) drafting project proposals and reports, d) representing GIZ at various international conferences.

In March 2019, I started working as an Economic Analyst at High Speed 2 Ltd. Key roles are a) the assessment of various route options and the analysis of the benefit-cost ratio associated with each option, b) the analysis of the transformational impacts, which the scheme will have on the UK economy, c) advising the company’s financial department on inflation assumptions, d) advising the HS2 management on the long term economic viability of various station configurations

Has your qualification helped you in your career? 

The qualification I gained at GDI was tremendously helpful to kick-start my career as an adviser for economic development first in international development at ILO and GIZ and subsequently in the transport sector at HS2 Ltd. Studying at GDI provided me with the analytical skills needed for the roles I’ve had since graduating. Particularly the GDI’s focus on critical analysis and multiple rounds of essays throughout the year have trained me to digest newly gained knowledge quickly, to put this knowledge into perspective and to write it up in a concise way, which has been an absolutely crucial skill in every job I’ve had. Moreover, the various group work, which forms a key part of the qualification, provided me with the leadership, moderation and presentation skills I need in my roles on a daily basis.

What is your best memory from your time at Manchester?

I have fallen in love in Manchester and got married to that person a few years later - in Manchester.

Do you have any tips or advice for current or prospective students? 

For current students; If you want to work in the development sector, start looking out for young professional programmes or competitive internship programmes early, because application deadlines can be up to a year before the intake. Be prepared to take a bit of a hit on your entry level salary (you don’t need to do unpaid internships at this stage though!), it will – literally – pay off after a year or so. My experience in the development sector is that employers really appreciate the background knowledge (not so much the details about economic theory and econometrics) on economic development you’re gaining at GDI so do emphasise that knowledge in your application.

For prospective students; One year at GDI goes by quickly so plan ahead! Many students write their thesis about a topic they started engaging with in the first term. During your first week, look at the modules GDI offer throughout the whole year (i.e. not only in the first term). Try to assess what modules offered in the second term are complementary to the ones offered in the first term and choose modules in the first term accordingly.