Martin Finkelstein is a second-year MPA student at Harvard Kennedy School. He was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2026 Summer Internship Program and contributed to the Growth Lab’s research in Córdoba, Argentina.
Why did you apply to the Growth Lab Summer Internship?
I first became interested in the Growth Lab internship after seeing the work the Lab carried out, following Professor Ricardo Hausmann’s class. I have always been interested in what governments can do to grow more sustainably over time—an experience I hope to apply to my own country. That’s why the Growth Lab’s agenda immediately caught my attention. When I saw the opportunity to work in my own country, I knew I wanted to take it.
What did you work on?
I worked on the analysis of productive development programs in the province of Córdoba, mapping and analyzing existing programs to identify areas for improvement, redundancies, and gaps. This involved close collaboration with the Secretariat of Economic Policy of Córdoba and the Growth Lab team, as well as participation in field visits to a wide range of stakeholders across the province, including the private sector, universities, various ministries, and state agencies.
In what ways were you challenged?
One of the main challenges was engaging with people who have extensive experience in their fields and understanding how to add value through my internship in a very short timeframe.
What was your most exciting/surprising experience?
One highlight was gaining an immersive understanding of Córdoba’s productive landscape in a short time. This included numerous in-person interviews and visits to factories, energy plants, plantations, and facilities in sectors such as automotive, consumer goods, and the space industry, as well as visits to universities and government ministries. Two experiences I particularly enjoyed were spending a week with the Growth Lab team during their fieldwork in Córdoba and being invited to a two-day course on productive development, where I met future leaders from across the province.
What advice would you give to future interns?
Time flies. If something isn’t clear, or if there are activities you’d like to join or spaces you’d like to contribute to, speak up and be proactive. Make the most of the time and opportunities outside of the internship as well. In my experience, people were extremely friendly, genuinely curious about the experience of Harvard students, and happy to engage outside of the workplace.
What’s next for you?
I am excited to begin my second year at Harvard Kennedy School, where I look forward to continuing to expand my expertise through coursework and being part of different teaching teams across HKS. I also plan to stay involved in student organizations such as the Latin American Policy Association. As for what comes after graduation, I am beginning to think about how to pursue opportunities to work toward the development of my country and my region.
