Internship Spotlight: Maxim Netzband ’26, United Nations

Hometown: Leipzig, Germany
Internship: United Nations, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, New York City 
Pronouns: he/him/his
The SOM class you used on the job: Impact Measurement & Financial Reporting in the Social Sector
After-work routine: Work out
Favorite thing about internship city: The skyline and the food

During the fall and winter, I interned with the United Nations in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General in New York, where I worked on the UN80 Initiative. The initiative’s job is to help the organization evolve so that it can remain effective, efficient, and relevant in a rapidly changing world. Being part of that work gave me a unique opportunity to see how change happens inside one of the world’s most important multilateral institutions.

Before coming to SOM, I worked as a consultant on projects for both private- and public-sector organizations. While that experience exposed me to a wide range of institutions and challenges, I had not yet been able to work within a political institution. I was drawn to the United Nations because I wanted to contribute to an organization with a truly global mission, one that aims to do good in the world while continuing to adapt to new realities. The chance to support that mission and António Guterres, the current secretary-general, was especially exciting.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the experience was the perspective the role provided. At the secretary-general’s office, you are close to the center of what is happening across the organization. I had the opportunity to sit in on meetings with representatives from almost all 193 member states as they discussed how the organization could become more efficient and effective. It was both humbling and energizing to observe world-class diplomats engage with these questions and to see how the executive office helps shape and advance the secretary-general’s agenda.

The internship also gave me a real-time window into global affairs. Receiving daily updates on developments around the world was both exciting and eye-opening. That experience deepened my appreciation for the pace, complexity, and interconnectedness of international decision-making. At the same time, by learning more about different UN organs and the mandates that shape their work, I grew to understand just how much coordination, diplomacy, and institutional knowledge are required to move an agenda forward in a global setting.

This experience contributed meaningfully to both my SOM journey and my post-graduation perspectives. It expanded the way I think about leadership and impact, especially in environments where progress depends on balancing a wide range of stakeholders, priorities, and political realities. It also helped me better understand the kinds of opportunities that exist beyond consulting, particularly for someone interested in public service, international institutions, and other mission-driven work. At the same time, the internship strengthened skills that will be valuable in any future role: strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and navigating complex organizations. Whatever I do in the future, I’ll be watching to see how the role of the United Nations continues to evolve and how initiatives like UN80 shape its future.