The EU Careers Student Ambassadors 2024 training conference, took place in Brussels between 4 and 6 October. It was an incredible weekend filled with enthusiasm and energy. The event kicked off with an informal visit to The House of European History (europa.eu), complemented by some ‘frites mayonnaise’ at Maison Antoine in Place Jourdan. The training conference brought together 124 students from 27 Member States, and 32 Staff Ambassadors, including five from Luxembourg-based institutions.

One of the highlights of the conference was the ‘speed networking’ session. This session provided an opportunity for the Student Ambassadors to meet EU staff and ask them all they wanted to know about their careers so far. Each table had 12 minutes to get their questions across, making it a fast-paced and exciting experience. The students clearly enjoyed this session, with some even mentioning it as their favourite part of the conference.

In addition to the ‘speed networking’ session, the conference also featured workshops and peer learning moments where the students could share their experiences and learn from one another. "Why Europe?” was one of the notable presentations. It provided a thought-provoking exploration of the importance of the European Union and its impact on the lives of citizens.

The conference also included a social media session, where EPSO’s social media manager shared easy-to-use tips on how to promote EU Careers on social media. A public speaking expert also led an engaging session to help the students improve their public speaking skills. EPSO’s team leader for external communications informed the students on the ‘ins and outs’ of EPSO selection procedures.

The EU Careers Student Ambassadors event was a memorable and impactful experience for all those involved, including EPSO staff. As the students returned to their universities, they were equipped with new knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to promote EU Careers and make a positive impact on their communities.

None of this would have been possible without the tireless contribution of the programme’s manager in EPSO’s Outreach & External Relations Unit.