"My name is Mariama, and I am currently working at the EU Delegation to Brazil as a policy officer. Delegations and Headquarters both offer a stimulating and cosmopolitan workplace. I have always been fascinated by the diverse profiles of my colleagues - being their professional, educational, linguistic or personal background. This diversity proves that one can pursue different career paths within the EU institutions according to one’s interests and a plethora of issues.

With a minority and/or an intersectional background, we can easily struggle with the imposter syndrome and question whether we belong to a certain place. Because you cannot be what you do not see, I truly believe in the power of representation and role models at all levels. As Claire Marin puts it : « Plus une place est désincarnée, imaginaire, moins je peux espérer l’occuper, l’habiter ». Thus, if people can witness that there are actually EU staff « like them », EU careers could have a stronger appealing effect.

No matter our background(s), we are daughters and sons of Europe, one should never hesitate to take opportunities to contribute to the European project!"