"In 2014, I joined the European Commission as a team leader in the IT department of the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD). In that role, I led a team of four great colleagues with whom I managed seven trans-European customs projects.

It was very gratifying to see the systems we had developed being used throughout the European Union and beyond. I was also very happy to participate in various customs-related negotiations between the EU and non-EU countries, including Serbia, Montenegro, China, Russia and Japan.

Since 2019, I have been the head of the service management sector in the Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT). My job is to lead a team of over 65 professionals who provide support to users of the European Commission’s corporate systems.  

I like working in DIGIT very much because I have wonderful and professional colleagues who are always ready to help me as well as others, if needed.  They are so good at what they do that there is no problem they cannot solve. My sector’s team leaders are both good managers and experienced IT professionals and make it easy for me to coordinate complex assignments."

Head of Sector – Service Management, Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT), Solutions for Legislation, Policy & HR, European Commission

"I work on the EU policy to fight illegal fishing. The EU has been global frontrunner on this policy for many years. It motivates me to know that even if changes take time, I have been part of putting a system in place that has an effect on the illegal behaviour of fishers – be it inside or outside the EU –benefitting fish stocks and communities affected by illegal fishing. I am very proud of our work. My daily work consists of ensuring that our legislation is properly implemented by EU Member States and more than 92 third countries through meetings, briefings, IT systems and legislative developments. Not one day is alike."

Policy officer, Unit for Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fisheries Policy, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE), European Commission

"I am Krystle and I work as a communications assistant at the European Commission in Brussels, I have reduced mobility and I have been working for the European institution since 2002.

I highly recommend applying! No physical handicap is an obstacle, competitions are based on knowledge, not a marathon. Everyone is accepted, nationality, color, gender, physical disability, ... nothing is an obstacle. All EU nationalities from all horizons are represented, the difference is positive. Maltese PRM or Estonian visually impaired, it has no importance. Multicultural means working with others, without making any distinctions. The Institutions have set up services that welcome all types of people, equal opportunities are a real right."

"A lawyer by training, I converted to policy administrator in fisheries in 2018, while working for the Council of the EU. After 2 years, I was seconded to DG MARE, to deal with Mediterranean and Black Seas files. This opportunity became a permanent post and allowed me to join the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) team, as an international relations officer. My position involves negotiations at both EU and international level. Working efforts translate into tangible results with a direct impact on the ground and on stakeholders. DG MARE is offering a unique mix of new challenges and well established EU policy, while placing the staff development at the heart of its HR policies."

International Relations Officer, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE), European Commission

“My career in cybersecurity was never planned, it happened, and it changed my life.

In 2019, I joined DG DIGIT, and moved to the phenomenal team of CERT-EU in 2021. My position requires me to engage in multiple activities: from external communication to drafting strategies, from creating cybersecurity awareness content to the analysis of more technical aspects of ICT.

I graduated in Communication and Media Studies with one master in International Relations and another one in Diplomatic Protocol. What do these have do to with cybersecurity you might wonder! Very little, but they gave me a perspective. ICT is an incredibly dynamic and fast-growing field, it does not matter if you have IT skills, analytical skills, communication skills, psychology skills, etc… there is a place for you in cybersecurity. The best aspect of working in ICT is that you can build your role depending on your knowledge, you can create your own path applying and transforming knowledge.

The more you will know, the more you will have to offer.”

Communication and Information Officer, Cyber Aware Programme, European Commission

"I am Frédéric and I 've been working for the EU institutions since 1998. I used to be in charge of accessibility for people with reduced mobility at the OIB (the European Commission's office for infrastructure and logistics) for many years.

I am currently working at the Diversity and Inclusion Office at the DG Human Resources and Security (EU Commission) as a policy officer specialising in disability and mainstreaming accessibility initiatives across learning and development, outreach and communication.

The handicap is an advantage here! I present it in a joyful way. I do not give the impression of dragging all the misery of the world behind me. And because I have a dog, it helps, it is the mascot."

"I have always been fascinated by buildings and especially their technical side. That is why I am happy to be part of the maintenance team for all Commission buildings in Brussels (offices, crèches, etc.). My main responsibility is to make sure that everything is technically compliant. This is a very varied job: I combine working on the ground with the administrative side of the projects. I have a lot of autonomy. At the same time, I constantly keep in touch with my colleagues and external contractors. I really enjoy exchanging ideas and finding technical solutions together with them. This is an interesting job full of challenges – it is my way of helping build Europe."

OIB Programme Assistant, European Commission

“My life philosophy is that it is never late to explore new professional career paths. Being aware of the continuous demand for IT profiles in all areas of the European job market and with a long-term interest in IT systems and cybersecurity, I have decided to embrace the digital world professionally.

I have joined the Directorate-General for Informatics to lead the Coordination Hub team in the Digital Transformation and Coordination unit. It is exciting to be part of the unit shaping the new digital strategy of the European Commission, helping to establish paperless processes to save our fragile environment, and helping colleagues in other directorates to implement digital-ready policy making processes from the first stages of drafting future EU policies.

My job brings me several opportunities, such as networking, supporting, and learning. Each day, I am getting to know colleagues from various backgrounds, in different positions, and with varying responsibilities. My team provides the ultimate support to corporate clients and undergoes a constant learning process when sharing knowledge and best practices.”

Team Leader, Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT), European Commission

"I am Fabio and I am the head of unit at the European Parliament's Directorate of Human Resources. I have been working for the European institutions since 2001.

I have an amputated leg. We must not be afraid, we must give ourselves the means to face a new situation. Do not go in the dark, come here and think that everything will be fine and that the Parliament will take care of everything. No institution in the world will be able to take care of everything. Preparing for a new environment is especially applicable for people with disabilities. Someone with a disability already knows that they have to approach things differently... prepare themselves differently too."