There is never a quiet day when working to promote the European economic and prosperity agenda. This is reflected by the number of Directorates-General (DGs) in the EU that focus on this area.
Encouraging trade, competition and prosperity is one of the key goals of the EU. The creation of the single internal market was intended to guarantee the free movement of goods, capital, services and people within EU member states.
The EU did not stop at the internal single market though; it has also created free trade agreements with Chile, Korea, Mexico and South Africa and are working to implement further agreements with the ASEAN countries, Canada, Gulf co-operation council, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Ukraine. Each of these agreements could add billions to the European economy. For example the free trade agreement with Korea will add €19.1billion to the EU economy alone!
Have a read through our case study from Alexander Walford who currently works in DG Trade.
My EU career: Alex Walford
Employer: European Commission
Occupation: Policy officer, Caribbean-EU trade relations
Studied: French and European Studies, University of Sussex
My degree included a year abroad at Sciences Po in Paris. Then I did an MSc in European Studies at the LSE.
I joined the EU civil service out of idealism and exasperation. Idealism because I thought the EU was a good idea, and I knew I wanted to do something involving policy, Europe and making the world a slightly better place. And exasperation because after leaving university I'd spent three years working in marketing in London, had got quite fed up and really wanted a change, but wasn't sure about leaving London, or how to get into what seemed an impenetrable fortress.
I first joined as a so-called 'contract agent' in 2003, on rolling one-year contracts. I was in the development aid department, in the part dealing with sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (or ACP). I loved it from the day I started. While doing that, I prepared for and then sat the concours – the exam to become a permanent staff member or 'official'. After passing I did a brief stint in the communication department. Then I moved to overseas trade, where I am now.
Right now I'm helping implement a new trade deal between the EU and the Caribbean. It aims to support the region's efforts to compete globally, while offering privileged access to EU markets.
In terms of what I've achieved and what I'm particularly proud of, two things spring to mind. I submitted a report to the European Court of Auditors on €4bn of annual EU aid spending within the deadline – a greater feat than it sounds. And I helped draft an internal policy document on explaining what the EU does more effectively, so the woman or man in the street can understand what on earth we're up to. That's something I'm passionate about.
In terms of the advice I'd offer anyone taking the concours, the institutions certainly aren't impenetrable, even if you have no prior EU experience – I'm living proof of that. Don't listen to those who say you have to speak seven languages, to have done three Commission traineeships, and so on to stand any chance of getting in.
Read the competition notice forensically: you'll find it on the European Personnel Selection Office website. Practice answering the kinds of question they ask you in the first round, then keep practising and practising. Form a prep group with other candidates, if you can keep your motivation going.
And if you get to the interview stage, practise again – consider asking friends of friends whom you don't know to act as your 'panel' and give you feedback. I found this invaluable.
I love working here. So do most of my friends, for many reasons. Interesting, varied work. Intelligent, committed, dare I say idealistic colleagues from across Europe. Job security, generous healthcare and pension schemes (at least for now), and flexible working if you want it. Plus the chance to serve a worthy cause, however imperfect.
So, I'd recommend the EU to anyone considering their career options, for all the reasons above, and especially to Brits, because we're at a real premium. English has become almost the sole working language. Yet there are fewer Brits relative to the country's population than people of pretty much any other EU nationality.
Content produced by EU Careers.
