Advice for future FES students: European political studies are an ideal degree for those wishing to
Class of: 2004 – 2008 (Faculty of European Studies – International Relations)
Current Occupation: Project officer – EU policies (Directorate - General for Energy, Internal Market I: Networks & Regional Initiatives) Skills gained after having studied at the Faculty of European Studies: a thorough knowledge of political science, its various sub-disciplines and basic analytical techniques from other disciplines (such as law, history, international relations, finances, etc.). I also developed the ability to conduct my own, original research and gained an international perspective on the nature of change in the global political community, and the complex character of processes such as globalization. I extended my understanding of human cultural and political variability and an attendant appreciation of others' viewpoints and culture-specific attitudes, ideals and practices. I received a good preparation necessary to undertake career work in areas directly associated with political life, such as party organizations, advocacy groups, parliaments, as well as public service and related organizations, and para-political occupations such as public opinion polling, political analysis, risk management analysis, public and media relations. The lecturers really go above and beyond in terms of support and challenging students to think harder, go further and question pre-conceived notions we all started with. Career roadmap: After finishing my B.A. I moved to Nice (France) and completed a Master 2 Programme in "International Security, Defence and Economic Intelligence" within the Institute for Law, Peace and Development at the Sophia-Antipolis University. Following this, I decided to move to the heart of Europe and started an internship at the Permanent Representation of Romania to the European Union in Brussels, where I had the opportunity to participate in meetings and working groups inside the Council of the European Union. Before joining the European Commission in 2011, I have worked in the European Parliament as an Assistant for a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) responsible with the Committee for the Economic and Monetary Affairs. Prior to this I was the EU Committee Events Coordinator for the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium. I am currently working as a Programme/Project Officer within the European Commission, in Directorate-General for Energy and my overall purpose in this position is to implement the policy of the trans-European energy networks through coordinating and managing projects, analyse their impact on the energy policy and propose actions and measures to better coordinate and implement the financial assistance. My job also involves drafting briefings, background papers, speeches and responses to external enquiries, making presentations on new legislative proposals and also dealing with both internal and external communication (stakeholders, Member States, National Regulatory Bodies etc.). My expertise covers domains such as energy, mobility and transport, economic and monetary affairs as well as communication and media. Advice for future FES students: European political studies are an ideal degree for those wishing to keep their career options as open as possible. There are many different career options available for graduates of such formation. A first advice would be to get involved in extracurricular, volunteer and work experiences that will also supplement your skills and focus them to a particular industry. Another advice I would give is to "brush up" on your language skills, whichever language you speak or understand - it is useful to have in a place like Brussels. The European political studies program widens student's life horizons, and also provides them with an informed and supportive environment in which they can experience what it is to make an important life-choice.
Sorina
