“There are two elements that spring to mind when I think about why my job is rewarding and enriching: quality and multiculturalism. It’s rewarding to know that the translation unit puts quality before quantity. We are normally - political deadlines notwithstanding! - given the means and the time to ensure our work is of the highest possible standard. Linguists love spending time looking for that one word that fits just right. In addition, it’s enriching to work in an environment with people from all over Europe, so I can bounce ideas off colleagues from entirely different backgrounds and think ‘oh, wow, I’d never thought of it that way’.”

“I joined the European Commission’s translation service in 2009 after working for a decade as a journalist, following studies in biology and environmental policy.

I planned to translate for a couple of years and then explore opportunities elsewhere, but the work here has been much more varied and intellectually stimulating than I expected – so I have yet to think about leaving! Over the years I have had lots of roles, including organising events and doing internal and external outreach.

Many of my colleagues studied languages and a large number specialised in translation, but a good few of us accumulated the necessary skills on different career paths. I never studied translation and had relatively limited experience of it before the competition, but we have excellent in-house training to plug knowledge gaps. This includes training on the latest tools and technologies, such as machine translation and now AI. These have not yet removed the essential satisfaction I get from being the human mind that decides how the final translation looks.

Another major factor behind me staying in translation has been the opportunity to learn – and to regularly use – new languages.”

“Having grown up between Wallonia and Flanders and having later spent ten years as a young adult in Germany, multilingualism and multiculturalism have always been a part of my life. Working for the Council of the EU combines my passion for language, my multicultural background and my profound belief in the European project. My work as a French-language translator is meaningful and directly serves my fellow citizens and my continent. Due to the very political nature of the Council, deadlines are short and flexibility is required, which means our work can be challenging, but also very stimulating and rewarding.”

“Joining the European civil service has been a challenging but rewarding path. Since I joined the Italian Naval Academy when I was 19 years old, I have been working for our seas and oceans in several different roles in the Italian administration and international institutions. 

Succeeding in the EPSO selection procedure allowed me to work in many central areas of EU policy making, from maritime safety to fisheries control, passing through marine research and international cooperation for healthy oceans. The opportunities an EU career offers are immense, in a fast-paced, stimulating, impactful, and truly international environment. 

My advice for future candidates would be to get deeply into the policy priorities of the European institutions, and prepare continuously over time, with weekly slots dedicated to study and preparation. I would also suggest engaging yourself in many different topics, as the more diverse your experience, the more chances you will have to succeed.”

‘Working for the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) is a unique experience and a great opportunity to contribute to a bigger and common project that concerns every single EU citizen.  Indeed, you get to work at the place where the political priorities of Europe for the future are discussed and decided.

In order for the different political and other horizontal Directorates of the GSC to work as efficiently as possible, the "Digital Services Directorate" (DG SMART) provides them support through various IT assistance and projects.

I work at DG SMART as a financial verifying agent within a team where we make sure that the DG SMART's budget is correctly implemented and spent.

So, if you like finance and wish to evolve in an international and multicultural environment that offers interesting professional challenges and continuous learning opportunities take the step and apply now for this competition!’

“I’ve been working as a lawyer-linguist at the Council of the EU for three years. In this role, we revise all EU legal acts that are to be adopted by the Council of the EU and the European Council, ensuring legal and linguistic consistency across all language versions. This allows me to combine my legal expertise with my passion for languages. I’m proud to contribute to the EU legislative process and to collaborate with fellow lawyers and assistants from nearly every Member State. There is a strong sense of community among us, and the atmosphere is always welcoming and supportive.”

“To be successful in averting the climate crisis, we need policymakers and scientists to work together. That is what makes my job at the Joint Research Centre so special: we work right at the boundary between science and policy. My team’s research on the raw materials needed for the energy transitions contributes much needed evidence and data on how to make our net-zero future a reality and drive the EU to become more sustainable, resilient and secure.”

« J’ai toujours adoré les langues et la communication. C’est pour cela que je n’ai pas hésité à m’inscrire au concours de traduction pour les institutions européennes. Mes études en Communication Audiovisuelle et Traduction m’ont effectivement donné l’expertise suffisante pour le réussir.

Travailler au sein de la DG Traduction de la Commission, c’est l’idéal pour moi ! J’adore le travail artisanal que représente la traduction : les recherches terminologiques, l’apprentissage quotidien de nouveaux sujets, le travail d’équipe... Je suis fière de rapprocher les citoyens de la législation de l’UE en contribuant à la qualité des textes qu’ils peuvent consulter, en aidant les experts à mieux exprimer leurs idées clés... La traduction, c’est un défi continu, une interrogation permanente : “Comment puis-je mieux exprimer cette nuance-là... ?”.

Au-delà de ma passion pour ce métier, Luxembourg s’est avérée être une ville fascinante et accueillante où la vie est rythmée par de nombreux évènements. Mon équipe de collègues y est d’ailleurs devenue ma deuxième famille. La preuve évidente de tout cela est que le dimanche soir n’est plus un moment morne, mais la veille d’une nouvelle semaine remplie d’expériences inédites ! »

“It is very exciting to participate in such an important policy area as energy, which has a direct impact on our daily lives and those of future generations. As a lawyer who has always been passionate about transnational legal issues, I find it particularly fascinating to be involved in the shaping and application of Euratom law. The working environment is very stimulating and enriching, as it allows for a constant exchange of views with people with a very diverse mix of competences and backgrounds. Luxembourg is a unique place. A capital at the centre of Europe with a very distinctive international vibe, where one can hardly feel like a foreigner.”

“Hi, I am Carmen, and I am Romanian. I joined Euratom Safeguards in 2021 as a nuclear inspector being responsible for planning and coordination of short notice inspections.

My position has a crosscutting function throughout the directorate, requiring continuous coordination and cooperation with all units and IAEA. Every day there are new challenges: use of innovative technologies, travelling to various locations etc. I am performing different tasks: from inspections on the field to meetings with specialists from all over Europe and beyond, while exchanging experiences and ideas.

We are working together to keep the world safer for us and future generations and this is very challenging and stimulating.

If you would like to do such amazing job, please join us.”