Their mission is to raise awareness of the numerous career paths available within the EU and to support fellow students who are interested in working in European institutions across various fields, including policy, finance, sustainability, law, data, and administration.

"Many students associate EU careers mainly with politics," says Therese. "But the EU needs a wide range of skills and backgrounds. There are roles for economists, business graduates, analysts, communicators, and much more."

A national need for more Swedish representation

The initiative is part of a broader effort coordinated by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR), following a government mandate to increase Swedish representation within EU institutions.

Today, Swedes are underrepresented in many EU bodies, which affects both national influence and the diversity of perspectives within European decision-making.

"Working within the EU is not only about shaping policy," says Lovisa. "It's also about contributing to large-scale projects with real impact, in an international and highly collaborative environment."

Making EU careers more accessible to SSE students

As EU careers student ambassadors, Therese and Lovisa serve as a first point of contact for SSE students who are interested in EU opportunities. They work closely with the Career Management team at SSE, who also promote EU opportunities. The student ambassadors’ mission is to:

• Share information about traineeships, entry-level roles, and long-term EU careers.
• Highlight application deadlines, events, and info sessions.
• Guide students through application processes.
• Lower the threshold for students who may be curious but unsure where to start.

Throughout the year, they are visible on campus, host and participate in events, and share opportunities through social media and direct student outreach.

Recently, Therese and Lovisa hosted an EU careers event at SSE in collaboration with the MSc in Economics program. The lunch lecture featured European Investment Bank representative Liisa Raasakka, who shared her career journey at the EU institution.

During the session, students gained insight into the work of the European Investment Bank, which in 2024 alone signed €89 billion in new financing for energy security, innovation, and climate action. The event offered a concrete example of how EU careers combine global impact with analytical and policy-driven work.

Entry points to the EU

Traineeships constitute one of the most accessible and valuable entry points into careers within the EU. They offer students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of EU policymaking, develop professional skills in an international environment, and build a strong network within the European institutions. There are approximately 60 different types of traineeships, and about 40 of these are paid.

Traineeships are available across a wide range of policy areas. The largest and most relevant for SSE students (all paid), who all have two intakes per year, are:

• The European Commission's Blue Book Traineeship, which accepts around 1,000 trainees per intake. Apply between March 16 and April 7 for the October intake. Duration: five months.
• The Schuman Traineeship at the European Parliament, accepts around 400 students per intake. Apply in May for the October intake, duration: five months.
• Traineeships at ESMA, the EU's financial markets authority in Paris. Duration: between 6 and 12 months.

A resource for all SSE students

Therese and Lovisa emphasize that EU careers are open to students from many academic backgrounds, and that citizenship requirements, language skills, and eligibility vary between roles.

They encourage all students, including non-EU citizens, to reach out with questions.

"We're happy to help students navigate what's possible," says Lovisa. "Sometimes it's just about knowing where to look or realizing that these paths exist at all."

A general tip is to start your application early. It requires several supporting documents and preparation, but it’s so worth it in the long run. With a completed traineeship within one of the EU institutions, you have a great advantage if you want to continue pursuing a career within any of the EU institutions.

Students can contact Therese and Lovisa via email at eucareers.sse@gmail.com or Instagram at @eucareers_sse for further information or questions. Lovisa and Therese are also happy to be approached in person on campus.

There is also an overview of traineeships and other resources if you want to get a general overview on the EU page on the SSE Career Hub.

Start your EU career through the AD5 competition

During the info session on EU careers with UHR on February 19, the session will also cover the AD5 competition, the main entry route for graduate-level administrator positions within EU institutions, agencies, and bodies. Successful candidates are placed on a reserve list used for permanent recruitment.

The AD5 competition tests skills such as reasoning, EU knowledge, digital competence, and communication. These competitions are held infrequently; the last one took place in 2019, making this a unique opportunity for anyone considering an EU career. Applications open: February 5 to March 10

More information will be shared soon. Keep an eye on the Events section on UHR’s website for updates and information.