“I moved to Luxembourg thinking it would be a short three-year stint, but then I fell in love and couldn’t imagine leaving. It’s a hidden green gem where you’re always just a hop, sheep, and a jump (pun intended) from a forest, yet all the modern conveniences are close by. The mix of nationalities packed into this small area is amazing, making every day feel like a multicultural adventure. Plus, everything is so charming and picturesque that it feels like living in a fairytale. Who knew such a small country could be such a “grand” duchy? :)”

“As an engineer, I have always had a passion for improving people’s lives through the use of technology. My job gives me the opportunity to improve the lives of 450 million European citizens every single day!

Working at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre allows me to use my engineering skills to support EU policies in space applications and telecommunications. 

With access to state-of-the-art research facilities and a pool of incredibly talented colleagues, I can contribute to fascinating projects that shape Europe’s future in space and terrestrial communications. That is what I call a dream job!”

“Why do I cherish my job? Well, working in Luxembourg as a policy officer responsible for radioactive waste offers me a unique and rewarding career. Addressing radioactive waste challenges is both intellectually stimulating and socially responsible and contributes to a sustainable future. The European Commission is a reliable and responsible employer, that values diversity and offers competitive benefit.

And Luxembourg is the place to be! At the heart of Europe, this country is constantly evolving! It has a picturesque landscape and a vibrant culture. After a decade spent here, it still manages to surprise me from time to time.”

“Upon graduating in economics and EU studies, I joined the EU Institutions quest, where I touched upon most areas of implementation of the EU budget. 

Passing an EPSO competition represents a significant milestone and a decisive turn in my long-term career path. 

In my current job in the General Secretariat of the Council, Directorate-General Economic and Financial Affairs I deal, as part of an outstanding team, with the adoption of the EU budget and related legislation. Supporting the rotating EU Presidency in finding compromises within the Council and with relevant stakeholders, taking part in negotiations in view of agreement reaching, is clearly a gripping experience. As a specific file, I was in charge of the revision of the Financial Regulation, the backbone of EU finances. 

Overall, it is a very dynamic environment, with its challenges, however definitively gratifying at the end of the day.”

“An EU career seemed so unreal to me when I was a teenager, living in a nice Central European countryside. Fortunately, reality proved me wrong. A few years after completing an Erasmus Mundus Master programme, I managed to pursue my EU career. First as a Blue Book trainee, then as an interimaire, and later as a contract agent; eventually, I successfully passed a specialised AD competition in 2022. Patience was the most important quality in this journey. Thanks to it, I am now (7 years after my Blue Book traineeship), a team leader in DG Agriculture and Rural Development, dealing with a flagship report – EU Agricultural Outlook. And it is exciting for me to know that this is just the beginning of my professional journey in the EU institutions!”

“The research we do with our team is rewarding because it is contributing to more sustainable food systems across the European Union: our science is contributing to better policies for a better multi-lateral global community where facts matter. The amount and detail of the data available allow us to do bottom-up analysis for the whole of the European Union!

Working at the JRC is extremely rewarding as you experience the impact our research can have in the EU citizen's life. Our Team comes from across the EU – so you always work with multiple perspectives on topics of societal relevance.”

“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’.”

“At the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, I can work at the forefront of technology for the common good—a unique combination. 
My team conducts applied research to support EU policies and regulations on AI and digital platforms. 
 
As part of our mission, we have to analyse and understand some of the most advanced AI systems and algorithms, with a tremendous impact on how we perceive the world and interact with one another. In essence, we use science and technology to make the online world safer, and to support the uptake of AI in Europe.”

« 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 ! »

“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.”