At Europol, we see the bigger picture. We connect the dots. We coordinate efforts and, in doing so, make a tangible contribution to disrupting criminal activity.
What is your role at Europol?
I am currently a Senior Operational Analyst at Europol, where I lead a team of analysts supporting Member State investigations related to financial and economic crime.
What do you find exciting about working at Europol?
The opportunity to make a difference on a European, even global, scale. While working as an analyst in the law enforcement sector in your home country is interesting and rewarding, you are limited to focusing on crime within a single state. Crime, however, does not operate in isolation — criminal groups span borders and continents. At Europol, we see the bigger picture. We connect the dots. We coordinate efforts and, in doing so, make a tangible contribution to disrupting criminal activity. In my current team, we target criminals where, I believe, it hurts them most: their finances. I find being part of this work truly exciting.
What has your experience been of living in The Hague?
I love The Hague. It’s a beautiful city whose charm reveals itself the more you wander through its small alleys and squares. It’s big enough to offer everything you need but small enough to get around easily and enjoy a high quality of life. And did I mention the sea? The white, expansive beaches are perfect for a stroll, no matter the season. After living in Ireland for many years, even the weather feels like a nice upgrade.
The Hague has a large international community, which means a wide variety of high-quality restaurants and international events. It’s easy to integrate and meet new people here.
How has your experience at Europol contributed to your learning and development throughout your career?
Europol offers an extensive catalogue of training courses, covering everything from technical and soft skills to language classes. While training on specific tools has been useful, I’ve also benefited from soft skills training — particularly in improving my presentation and writing skills, which I use daily.
What motivates you most in your daily work?
What motivates me most in my daily work is knowing that my efforts can have a tangible impact on disrupting criminal activity and making Europe safer. Additionally, collaborating with so many talented and driven colleagues inspire me to continuously push myself, learn new skills, and strive for an even greater impact in my daily tasks.
What do you highly appreciate about your working environment?
The working environment at Europol is highly collegial. No matter how busy your colleagues are, they will always find time to help you or direct you to someone who can. Social events at Europol help you get to know your team members and colleagues better. This is particularly valuable when moving to a new country, especially in the beginning. Your colleagues often become your primary social network, and having friendly colleagues can make all the difference in how you integrate and feel in a new city.
Do you have any advice for young professionals beginning their careers in EU institutions, bodies and agencies?
Find a mentor who can guide and support you throughout your career journey. EU institutions can feel large and overwhelming, so having someone to turn to for feedback on your performance or just a chat can be invaluable for your confidence and professional growth.