The GaPP Lunch & Learn series connects students with practitioners and policymakers working at the intersection of governance, accountability, and economic policy.

This session focused on career paths in the European Commission and other EU institutions, with a particular emphasis on opportunities for students with backgrounds in economics and public policy. The event was co-organized with the Student Association at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Marthe-Sarah Nkambou Tchunkuo, who co-organized the Lunch & Learn seminar together with SASSE, welcomes participants to the seminar. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

Full house at GaPP’s Lunch & Learn seminar on career opportunities at the European Commission. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

From teacher to Director-General

Gertrud Ingestad began her career as a German and English teacher in Stockholm. Wanting to try something different, she decided to take the EU competition exam and entered the European Commission as a translator working from French into Swedish.

Over time, her career developed across several areas, including human resources and IT, eventually leading to her role as Director-General. She highlighted the Commission’s strong internal support systems, opportunities for continuous learning, and what she described as a collaborative and international working environment.

Her message to students was clear: career paths are rarely linear, and openness to new roles and responsibilities can create unexpected opportunities.

Gertrud Ingestad shared insights from her career at the European Commission. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

A need for more Swedes in the EU institutions

A recurring theme during the seminar was the underrepresentation of Swedes in EU institutions. According to Ingestad, Sweden does not currently have staff numbers proportionate to its population within the EU.

She emphasized that this is not only a question of numbers, but also of competence. Swedish expertise, particularly in economics, governance, and public administration, is in demand. Students from the Stockholm School of Economics have skills that are highly relevant to the Commission’s work.

Students reflected on recruitment pathways and career opportunities within the EU institutions. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

Why consider a career in the EU?

Ingestad described the European institutions as offering:

• A wide range of policy areas and professional roles
• Opportunities to move between positions and develop a specialized profile
• Work closely linked to political processes and regulatory development
• Competitive remuneration and benefits

She noted that even spending a few years in Brussels or Luxembourg can provide valuable experience and a broader European perspective.

The European Commission, she explained, plays a central role in drafting and developing EU legislation, making it closely connected to the political landscape of the Union.

Gertrud Ingestad and Marthe-Sarah Nkambou Tchunkuo at the Lunch & Learn seminar at SSE. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

Recruitment and entry paths

The seminar also covered how recruitment works within the EU institutions, especially for candidates from underrepresented Member States.

In addition to formal knowledge about the EU, recruitment processes assess interpersonal skills such as collaboration, negotiation, and drafting abilities. The well-known competitions for permanent positions are structured and demanding, requiring thorough preparation.

Ingestad outlined several entry routes:

• The Blue Book traineeship program
• Temporary specialist and contract positions
• Open competitions for permanent roles

She also highlighted available support structures, including Sweden’s Representation in Brussels and the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR).

Former Director-General Gertrud Ingestad speaks at the Stockholm School of Economics. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

Life in Brussels and Luxembourg

Beyond professional opportunities, Ingestad briefly reflected on life in Belgium and Luxembourg, describing an international environment shaped by mobility, diversity, and cross-border exchange.