This guidance offers key insights to secure an entry-level position in European Affairs.
The recommendations are taken from the webinar ‘Breaking into Brussels: How to get a job in EU Affairs’ that took place on 15.05.2025 with senior professionals working across the sector.
| What you need to keep in mind
Getting a job in European Affairs is difficult but not impossible. Minoritised individuals tend to find it even more challenging due to the multiple social, economic and cultural barriers to entering the job market.
While it is not going to be an easy journey, if you want to carve out a career in European and International Affairs, building your own network and learning the trade from day 1 will help you secure that permanent contract.
| Getting started: Breaking into the Brussels bubble
• Map your entry points: EU institutions & their agencies aren’t the only option. Explore think tanks, NGOs, consultancies, trade associations, and regional/national representations. Apply to roles in European organisations beyond pure ‘policy/political’ jobs, such as in operations, admin, recruitment, sales, marketing, social media,
marketing. This gets you a first foot in the sector, acquire some experience and get to know people, until you find a more relevant role in your desired field.
• Apply for structured entry routes like:
- Schuman traineeships (European Parliament)
- Blue Book traineeships (European Commission)
- Consultancy traineeships or junior positions
- While consultancy work can be tough and alienating (time to read Graeber’s bullshit jobs), but it is also an excellent way to learn the ropes beyond your theoretical learnings at university, such as developing a professional PowerPoint, writing a concise brief and recommendations, or sending a reporting email and communicating clearly. Plus you get to showcase your skills to your potential future employer, as many clients hire their internal staff from consultancies having already worked with them on projects.
- While consultancy work can be tough and alienating (time to read Graeber’s bullshit jobs), but it is also an excellent way to learn the ropes beyond your theoretical learnings at university, such as developing a professional PowerPoint, writing a concise brief and recommendations, or sending a reporting email and communicating clearly. Plus you get to showcase your skills to your potential future employer, as many clients hire their internal staff from consultancies having already worked with them on projects.
- Leverage your existing skills if you’re changing careers—engineering, journalism, science, or logistics can all pivot into policy, PR or public affairs if you use your transferrable skills.
- Use training and volunteering to upskill or pivot sectors—short EU law courses and getting involved in European initiatives and networks can strengthen your CV.
| Navigating bureaucracy as a non-EU National
- Understand work permit rules:
- Identify the correct commune for your residence permit application and double check every piece of paper you and your employer must submit —this can affect processing times and eligibility.
- Know your rights as a third-country national: paid traineeships like CIP (‘Convention d’immersion professionnelle) can still be accessible—convince HR with the right legal knowledge and persistence.
- Don’t self-disqualify from jobs with “EU nationals only” listed—reach out, ask questions, and express willingness to handle paperwork. Some employers may reconsider if you’re the right fit.
- Use the City Services (e.g. Brussels Commissioner’s Expat Desk) to get help with permits and relocation bureaucracy.
| Networking & mentorship
- Find your people: Your network is everything in Brussels. Attend policy events, webinars,
social events, and informal meetups to get insider knowledge and opportunities. - Use LinkedIn smartly: Follow relevant organisations, reach out to junior and mid-level
professionals, and request short virtual coffees if you’re not in Brussels. - Mentors don’t need to look like you—seek people who understand your values and can
open doors, even if they come from different backgrounds.
| Dealing with imposter syndrome & minority challenges
- Imposter syndrome is normal (and healthy, you are not a sociopath)—especially when you’re one of the few minoritised individual or you’re just not from an elite background. Remind yourself you belong, and your perspective is valuable.
- Don’t tone yourself down: Bring your full identity to the table. Your lived experience can offer insights that many teams desperately lack.
- Call out entitlement or ignorance professionally and calmly—but also build support systems where you don’t have to always be the “educator.”
- Challenge myths: Success in EU affairs does not require studying at the College of Europe or having unpaid internships in your past. There are multiple valid paths.
| Building a long-term career
- Be strategic about career transitions: Look for internal mobility in your organisation— can you move from logistics to comms, or from admin to public affairs?
- Stability takes time: Many people start with temporary, freelance, or consultancy roles. Persistence + networking + performance = long-term opportunities.
- Fight tokenism by shaping the conversation: Push for DEI policies when you feel you can, but make sure to protect yourself and your hard work.
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