"After 8 years in the Commission, I decided to pursue my career within the secretariat of the Council of the European Union. Within the Council you have the unique opportunity to work alongside the rotating EU Presidency and other 26 delegations in the context of challenging and fast-paced negotiation on the main political priorities of the EU. From my perspective, the European Institute of the LSE was instrumental in providing the right tools to thrive in my current role.

For those that would like to apply to the European Institutions, I can only give one piece of advice: specialize yourself in a specific domain. Today, to be a good EU generalist is not enough anymore. Of course, an internship in Brussels is the main gateway to entering the Institutions. Good luck to all of you and let's stay in touch."

Leonardo Zannier (Class of 2006, MSc in European Political Economy: Integration)
Political Advisor (Energy) at the Council of the European Union

Leonardo is happy to talk further via LinkedIn.

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"I graduated from the Double Masters’ Degree in European Studies (LSE & Sciences Po, Paris) in 2014. A couple of days after submitting my Dissertation, I started my professional journey as a trainee at the General Secretariat of the Council. Almost ten years later, I am happy and proud to pursue my career in this fascinating institution, at the heart of the EU’s decision-making process.

After working on transport and digital policies, I had the privilege to work in the EU Council’s Task Force on the UK withdrawal (Brexit). As part of this team, I contributed to the building and the defence of the EU’s positions in the negotiations with the UK, first on the Withdrawal Agreement and then on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Whilst Brexit will always remain a sad event for the Union, this experience has proven to be equally challenging and enriching from a professional point of view. For the last two years, I have been working as an Advisor to the Director General in charge of General and Institutional Policy. In this capacity, I contribute to the preparation and follow-up of the meetings of the European Council and work on a broad range of institutional and horizontal files.

The General Secretariat of the Council is a unique working environment. Regrouping representatives of the 27 Member States of the EU at all levels (from Heads of States or Government to technical attachés), this institution combines diplomatic working methods with the output of a legislator, adopting legislation directly impacting 450 million people. As a civil servants working for this institution, you will advise and accompany our stakeholders (President of the European Council and Rotating Presidency) at all stages and all levels of the Council and European Council decision-making.

Thanks to the interdisciplinary background offered by the European Institute, combining EU politics, EU law, economy and international relations you will feel perfectly equipped to navigate the technicalities of EU policy-making, at the cross road of many different disciplines.

The best way to discover our institution and to get a first foot at the heart of the EU machinery is to apply for one of our traineeship programmes. Applications can be filled online on the Council’s website.

For more information, feel free to get in touch."

Pierre Saglier (Class of 2014, MSc in Politics and Government in the EU)
Political Advisor to the Director-General for General and Institutional Policy at the Council of the European Union

Pierre is happy to talk further via LinkedIn.

"Working at Deloitte Belgium in the Core Business Operations team as a business analyst has been so far an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding experience. My team is responsible for helping clients optimize their business operations, improve their supply chain management, and achieve their strategic goals. As a business analyst in this team, I work workwith some of the most exciting and dynamic organizations in the world, and I specialize in the European Union and other International Organizations. This provides a unique opportunity to work on complex and challenging projects that have a significant impact on the world.

One of the most significant benefits of working at Deloitte Belgium is the opportunity for professional growth and development. The company offers extensive training programs and mentorship opportunities to help you enhance your skills and advance in your career. Additionally, Deloitte Belgium is known for its collaborative and supportive work culture. I haveeveryday  the opportunity to work with talented and passionate colleagues who are committed to delivering the highest quality results for their clients.

Overall, working as a business analyst in the Core Business Operations team at Deloitte Belgium can be an incredibly fulfilling and exciting career choice and a perfect match after my Master at LSE."

Gaia Antonia Santacroce (Class of 2022, MSc in European and International Public Policy)
Business Analyst at Deloitte Belgium

Gaia is happy to talk further via email.

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"I'm working for Deloitte France as a Sustainable Finance Consultant, in a fast growing team of 20/30 consultants within the Sustainability Department. After LSE, my motivation has been to continue to learn and get as much positive impact as possible on our society. Deloitte Sustainability brings both together. Working in consulting means working with different clients on various type of assignments and learning everyday through clients, research and peers’ knowledge.

 We support financial institutions (Asset Manager, Bank, Insurance, Public Institutions) in the definition and implementation of their sustainable development and decarbonization strategy with the aim of building a more responsible economy. Concretely, we work for instance on strategy to create sustainable offers for clients, to reach net-zero carbon emissions, comply with sustainable regulations or to implement methodologies to take into account environmental and social characteristics in their investment/financing process.

The team welcomes various profiles mixing interests in sustainable development and financial services, who are curious and eager to learn in a positive and inclusive environment, and are willing to put their knowledge at work to positively change our society."

Tennessee Petitjean (Class of 2020, MSc in Political Economy of Europe)
Consultant (Sustainable Finance) at Deloitte Paris

Tennessee is happy to speak further via email or LinkedIn.

“Interested in working for the society? You should definitely consider a career in a supervisory or regulatory authority. I joined the European Central Bank (Single Supervisory Mechanism) in 2015 right after graduating in political economy of Europe at the LSE. There I started working as supervision analyst; later on I joined Banca d’Italia where I worked as an onsite inspector for three years before starting a new position as policy expert at the European Banking Authority in February 2021. Working in a regulatory or supervisory authority is very much self-rewarding as you truly have the feeling of supporting the society as a whole with the job you do on a daily basis. Getting a job into these authorities could be difficult as the selection process is quite rigorous, however you should not feel discouraged and apply for any vacancy that could fit your profile. Getting a master at the School gives you all the tools you need to successfully complete the selection process."

Michelangelo Bruno (Class of 2015, MSc in Political Economy of Europe)
Policy Expert at the European Banking Authority

Michelangelo is happy to speak further via LinkedIn.

"One way of finding an interesting career in the European Commission is to seek entry mid-career on the basis of an expertise and experience of particular interest to them. In my case, I managed, whilst in my early thirties, to secure a series of outside contracts on energy research. I was subsequently recruited on a temporary contact to manage this type of work inside the Commission and this contract became indefinite and eventually permanent.

As a permanent official I succeeded in moving to other related fields ,where I was able to move up the ladder and more into policy. I became deputy head of an industry department (chemicals), then head of an administrative department (buildings infrastructure) and eventually wound up as an adviser to senior management (employment and social affairs). Though inevitably there were ups and downs over the 28 years I spent there, I’d say the main lesson I learned was not to stray too far from my original skills set, in particular not to get stuck in general administration."

Paul Glynn (Class of 2015, Executive Msc in European Political Economy)
Retired

Paul is happy to speak further via email.

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"Last year, after having given up on the idea of moving out of Europe for the foreseeable future, I was granted an opportunity that I had been hoping for for years. I was offered the role of Junior Professional in Delegation to the Kingdom of Lesotho, which I happily accepted. Working for the European Commission in Delegation has been an extraordinary opportunity to participate in the EU’s work in Southern Africa from trade facilitation to civil society support to renewable energy development. Having thoroughly enjoyed the LSE’s course on ‘EU in the World,’ I was eager to build on my previous experience in economic and international development and put what I learnt into action.

By stepping out of your comfort zone or expanding your idea of what you want for your future, you can embark on incredible adventures, meet fantastic people and make a positive change. Look out for job opportunities and realise that arriving to the final destination isn’t always a direct road."

Aurora Matteini (Class of 2019, MSc in EU Politics)
Junior Professional in Delegation to the Kingdom of Lesotho, European Commission

Aurora is happy to speak further via LinkedIn.

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"Deciding where to start your career can be daunting. One of the benefits of working for the European Commission is that there are job opportunities for people with very different skills and areas of expertise. Starting on one side of the Commission doesn’t mean you’ll have to stay there forever. Skills that tend to be valued are languages (at least two spoken well), knowledge of EU decision-making processes, and the ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically. People at the Commission tend to favour people who are clear and to the point. Wishy washy essays or mentioning as many political theories you can think of won’t get you anywhere.

Aside from the EPSO concours to become a Commission ‘official’, there are other ways to start at the European Commission. This can be through a Bluebook traineeship, as an external contractor or through the so-called ‘CAST’ contract agent procedure. Whichever way you end up choosing will be a great way to get to know the Commission from within, allowing you to figure out which field suits your skillset best and where you think you fit in best. In my experience, if you find the right unit, and demonstrate that you are entrepreneurial and capable, you’ll be given a huge amount of freedom and responsibilities early on."

Barend Brouwer (Class of 2018, MSc in Political Economy of Europe)
Campaign Manager at the European Commission (DG INTPA)

Barend is happy to connect further via LinkedIn.

"I cannot recommend working in the cabinet of a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) enough for recent graduates. In the first place, it's the perfect mix between politics and policy, great to get you started in both fields if you are unsure of which you like best. Secondly, it's a very fast-paced and dynamic work environment, which will help you develop a great range of soft skills that will be useful in later stages in your career. Finally, the work you undertake for a Member of Parliament varies by the hour, which in my experience, has allowed me to discover my professional preferences through practical experience. Just to give you an idea, a day in an MEPs cabinet can include writing an intervention for a Parliamentary Committee Meeting, writing a newspaper article on a pressing policy topic, engaging in a political negotiation with MEPs from other political groups and drafting amendments to a legislative text - all in the same day. As a bonus, you will get to travel with your MEP through Europe and be invited to attend seminars and events on a daily basis!

I would recommend students to aim for a traineeship in an MEPs cabinet right after graduation. MEP cabinets are extremely busy and the competition for traineeships is fierce: be proactive, do your homework and reach out to cabinets yourself. You can find every MEP’s email, and the names of their cabinet members, on the webpage of the European Parliament. Top skills to be successful in the selection process include demonstrating you are a good problem-solver, a good team player and that you work well under stress and tight deadlines. Cabinets in the Parliament are very dynamic and career progression is excellent: once you are inside the institution, if you build a strong network and prove your worth, I am certain you will land a full-time position in a matter of months!

Feel free to reach out for career advice anytime!"

Olalla Benito Rodriguez (Class of 2021, MSc in Political Economy of Europe)
Head of Cabinet for an MEP, European Parliament

Olalla is happy to talk further via LinkedIn and email.

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"Working for a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) brings together the best of two worlds for me: in-depth policy making and fast-paced politics. For instance, I enjoy the combination of speaking with experts on specific articles of banking legislation, while also having to understand the impact of the Spanish elections on your MEP’s work. 

As an assistant of an MEP in the ECON Committee, I advise my MEP on financial, economic and monetary files. This includes drafting amendments on legislation, writing speaking points for your MEP and speaking with relevant stakeholders. An example of my current work is briefing my MEP on the review of EU fiscal rules before negotiations on this file with MEPs from other political parties, in order to establish the position of the European Parliament. 

The European Parliament is a very dynamic workplace, full with young and ambitious staffers and inspiring politicians from all across the EU. If you are interested in European politics and policy making, I can definitely recommend working here. 

Most parliamentary assistants have found their job either by being active in a political party or because they have built up expertise on topics in the remit of their MEPs. Therefore, if you would like to work for a MEP, I would advise to first find out for which political party or MEP you would like to work or which topics you would like to work on. It is not uncommon to start with an internship at the MEP’s office or political party.” 

Cees Jan Geuze (Class of 2016, MSc in Political Econoy of Europe)
Economic and Monetary Policy Officer to an MEP, European Parliament

Cees is happy to talk further via LinkedIn.

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"Working in an MEP’s cabinet is unbelievably rewarding at its best and incredibly chaotic at its worst – but no week is ever the same and I would recommend the experience to anyone wanting to see how the sausage is made. The work offers a front row seat to the informal practices of EU decision-making beyond textbooks and provides an unmatched stepping-stone for further career development in Brussels from the institutions to consultancies to trade associations to NGOs.

Although there is no set path to landing a job in an MEP’s office, the most common ways are personal activity in a political party or work experience in a specific policy area. My own path followed the latter, as I spent four years in the private sector in Brussels working on energy and climate policy before starting in my current job. Meanwhile, two of my closest colleagues joined the office following an internship in the Council and from the secretariat of a national European Movement branch, respectively.

Much like career paths, the MEP cabinets are not all the same. The parliamentary offices are essentially 705 small enterprises where tasks, roles, and the number of staff members vary depending on the responsibilities, activity, and interests of each individual MEP. Thus, an assistant’s experience is always dependent on the MEP they work for. National conventions matter as well, and with national stakeholders and constituency work playing a role, some MEPs may choose to hire only from within their own language group or nationality. This is good to keep in mind when preparing to apply for a job in the EP.

Considering the sheer number of internship applications sent to the offices every week, the EU Bubble can be an intimidating and difficult realm to enter for any new graduate. The competition is relentless and it pays to have contacts which to leverage. Yet, it is good to keep in mind that beyond the MEP offices, the EP offers opportunities also with the political groups and the administration (Directorates-General). These paths are separate, as each political group is responsible for recruiting their own staff, while administrative officials and contract staff are hired through competitions organised by the Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). Putting your name out for the official traineeship calls is never a bad idea. I, for example, started out in Brussels as a Schuman trainee in the Parliament’s DG for Communication."

Otto Laird (Class of 2017, MSc in EU Politics)
Energy and Climate Policy Advisor to an MEP, European Parliament

Otto is happy to talk further via LinkedIn.

"I joined EY after fifteen years in an HR role in industry and I am now a Senior Manager in a client-facing role so, there are many ways to join a Big Four and progress without being an accountant or having previous consulting experience.

I joined EY because I wanted to work on big global projects, access a broad range of learning and have the opportunity to contribute thought leadership, and I wasn’t disappointed!

My recommendation to young professionals who want to enter this field is to develop technical skills, e.g., data analytics, engineering, cyber, but also be able to demonstrate softer skill like teaming, the ability to serve clients or communicate to varied stakeholders, as well as a curious mindset. International or volunteering experience are always a plus.

All views expressed in this quote are entirely my own and do not represent the views of EY."

Sandra Costeja Bos (Class of 1996, MSc in European Affairs)
Senior Manager (People Advisory Services) at EY

Sandra is happy to talk further via LinkedIn.