European Commission - Work Experience
I am thrilled and glad to have the opportunity to do a week of work experience in the European Commission Representation in Dublin during my Transition Year! Once the dates for my work experience were finalized and I completed the necessary forms to make my placement official I could not wait to spend a week with the European Commission. I have an interest in European affairs and languages; since I attended the European School of Woluwe in Belgium I was already very familiar with the European Union and work of the European Commission. However I had never witnessed working in the Commission first-hand so I was keen and excited to discover what it is like!
Monday, March 20th
I stepped off the DART onto Pearse station and walked at a fast pace towards the office of the European Representation. I had previously visited the office on Dawson Street, but it would be my first time seeing the new office on Lower Mount Street. I felt very professional and official when I was given the special badge to open the doors! On the second floor I lifted my badge to the sensor and the quiet ‘beep’ unlocked the door and I ambled into the ‘Political Section’ of the Commission. The first thing that caught my eye was a photograph of Jean-Claude Juncker! Guided through the section by my dad I was introduced to his Colleagues, Maya and Brigid. Slightly nervous but mostly intrigued I was shown to my temporary office; I couldn’t believe I would be given my own office for the week! I organised myself for a moment, and prepared an amazing programme for the week filled with many fascinating activities for me to partake in or to attend, with my dad.
I stepped off the DART onto Pearse station and walked at a fast pace towards the office of the European Representation. I had previously visited the office on Dawson Street, but it would be my first time seeing the new office on Lower Mount Street. I felt very professional and official when I was given the special badge to open the doors! On the second floor I lifted my badge to the sensor and the quiet ‘beep’ unlocked the door and I ambled into the ‘Political Section’ of the Commission. The first thing that caught my eye was a photograph of Jean-Claude Juncker! Guided through the section by my dad I was introduced to his Colleagues, Maya and Brigid. Slightly nervous but mostly intrigued I was shown to my temporary office; I couldn’t believe I would be given my own office for the week! I organised myself for a moment, and prepared an amazing programme for the week filled with many fascinating activities for me to partake in or to attend, with my dad.
A few pictures of me inthe Commissoner's, who is called Phil Hogan, office, and the front of the EU Representation in Dublin with the flag flying!
Immediately afterwards I walked over to the other side of the floor to meet the rest of the Political Team. The first person I meet was Joan Flanagan, and she kindly spent a few minutes explaining to me the work she does. I learned an extraordinary amount in those couple of minutes, for example I fully understand almost everything about the two reports that the Political team sent to Brussels on a weekly basis. I was interested by these Oireachtas Committee talks that Joan and the Political attend from time to time, and these talks are also available online. I inquired if I may be able to attend one of these talks during the course of the week, and there seems to be one on Thursday afternoon! Next I meet Andy Klom, who I had seen once before on a previous occasion. He explained to me, in more detail, about his job, and we spoke a little bit in Dutch at the end of our conversation!
To continue my tour of meeting people, I moved on to the Communication Team where I was introduced to Tim. His daughter, Clodagh, and I both went to the same Crèche in Belgium so Tim had met me before, well about 15 years ago! We talked about the work of the Communications team and about the differences between my old school in Belgium and my school in Ireland; it was an enjoyable and interesting talk. Then I was introduced to Jean-Francois Loubert and the Administration Team. I spent 15 minutes talking with Jean-Francois in French all about the roles and responsibilities of the Administration Team. I comprehend that part of their job is to keep the building running by paying bills and finding the best quality and value suppliers for heat, electricity etc. The also ensure the money they have is used in the best ways possible. Finally, I also got to swiftly meet the Press Team!
After a very informative and interesting morning I had lunch in the park, the sun making the flowers look vibrant and beautiful! I spent the afternoon doing research on political and economic news and events for the ESO and political team. I really enjoyed reading different newspapers and discovering what was happening in the world today.
To continue my tour of meeting people, I moved on to the Communication Team where I was introduced to Tim. His daughter, Clodagh, and I both went to the same Crèche in Belgium so Tim had met me before, well about 15 years ago! We talked about the work of the Communications team and about the differences between my old school in Belgium and my school in Ireland; it was an enjoyable and interesting talk. Then I was introduced to Jean-Francois Loubert and the Administration Team. I spent 15 minutes talking with Jean-Francois in French all about the roles and responsibilities of the Administration Team. I comprehend that part of their job is to keep the building running by paying bills and finding the best quality and value suppliers for heat, electricity etc. The also ensure the money they have is used in the best ways possible. Finally, I also got to swiftly meet the Press Team!
After a very informative and interesting morning I had lunch in the park, the sun making the flowers look vibrant and beautiful! I spent the afternoon doing research on political and economic news and events for the ESO and political team. I really enjoyed reading different newspapers and discovering what was happening in the world today.
Tuesday, March 21st
Today, I was not able to work in the European Commission Representation as it clashed with a school event I had already agreed to participate in. I am part of the Young Social Innovators team and today there was a ‘Speak-Out’ event at the RDS, which I attended and took part in.
Today, I was not able to work in the European Commission Representation as it clashed with a school event I had already agreed to participate in. I am part of the Young Social Innovators team and today there was a ‘Speak-Out’ event at the RDS, which I attended and took part in.
Wednesday, March 22nd
With a busy day ahead of me, I couldn’t wait to get started! In the morning I meet with Ruth Deasy as she introduced me to the work of the Press Team. I was given a very interesting and engaging explanation of the work Ruth does! I learned many things such as that Wednesday is the day that each week President Juncker meets with the 28 Commissioners to talk about important issues, also that one must be clear when they are speaking to a reporter that they are ‘off the record’ to keep your profile safe.. As I returned to my temporary office I was introduced to Gerry Kiely, the Head of Representation.
The next activity on my schedule was to assist the Communications team with the logistics of the French school visit! To prepare for the visit I went to the archive with Julio to gather lots of materials, such as pens and books, as prizes for the students. I couldn’t believe the amount of European Commission stationery and books there were! The following task was to familiarize myself with the PowerPoint Presentation so that I could read out a few slides and tell the students some relevant facts. I was very nervous when the students arrived! We welcomed them and then began the Presentation. It went quite well, and some of the students knew almost all the answers to the questions we asked! After a 20 minute video, during which I helped prepare the quiz, we started the quiz. This was lots of fun! I read out the quiz questions, and later the answers. The winners got lots of European Commission gadgets including a portable charger! Soon after I bid the French students adieu and helped tidy the room. It was a brilliant experience which I thoroughly enjoyed!
With a busy day ahead of me, I couldn’t wait to get started! In the morning I meet with Ruth Deasy as she introduced me to the work of the Press Team. I was given a very interesting and engaging explanation of the work Ruth does! I learned many things such as that Wednesday is the day that each week President Juncker meets with the 28 Commissioners to talk about important issues, also that one must be clear when they are speaking to a reporter that they are ‘off the record’ to keep your profile safe.. As I returned to my temporary office I was introduced to Gerry Kiely, the Head of Representation.
The next activity on my schedule was to assist the Communications team with the logistics of the French school visit! To prepare for the visit I went to the archive with Julio to gather lots of materials, such as pens and books, as prizes for the students. I couldn’t believe the amount of European Commission stationery and books there were! The following task was to familiarize myself with the PowerPoint Presentation so that I could read out a few slides and tell the students some relevant facts. I was very nervous when the students arrived! We welcomed them and then began the Presentation. It went quite well, and some of the students knew almost all the answers to the questions we asked! After a 20 minute video, during which I helped prepare the quiz, we started the quiz. This was lots of fun! I read out the quiz questions, and later the answers. The winners got lots of European Commission gadgets including a portable charger! Soon after I bid the French students adieu and helped tidy the room. It was a brilliant experience which I thoroughly enjoyed!
The 28 EU Commissoners
The room where we accomodated the French students!
Here I am giving the French students a Presentation on the EU
At around 3pm I went to the European Parliament where I meet with Harry O’Connor. This was wonderful opportunity to learn all about the Parliament and its role in the European Union. I was also given a tour of the Parliament floor, which included also seeing the different offices and meeting Harry’s colleagues. I got the chance to see the video conference room which I found quite amazing! The quality of the camera was very high-definition, it was funny seeing myself of the screen! Lastly I was shown the meeting rooms and the office reserved for MEPs, we also went downstairs to the reception and I picked up a couple of brochures about the European Parliament to explore later.
A few brochures about the European Parliament
To bring this eventful day to a close, I assisted the Political Team with the Cable and Brexit report, which are sent to President Juncker, preparation by researching topical events and news.
Thursday, March 23rd
The first thing I did today was start write this report, which outlines my week’s activities at the European Commission Representation. After an hour of typing on the computer I assisted the Communications team with preparing orders for schools. Schools around Ireland send in requests to the Commission for posters, books and stationary therefore I got to help place these requests into boxes and prepare them to be sent to the schools! I went down to the archive with Julio we spent two hours counting books and brochures and placing them into boxes. I enjoyed the work, as I got to see the mountains of materials the commission have and I liked reading the blurbs or quickly flicking through the brochures. With 5 out of 6 orders done I had to leave because my dad and I had booked a tour of the Oireachtas at 2.30pm.
The first thing I did today was start write this report, which outlines my week’s activities at the European Commission Representation. After an hour of typing on the computer I assisted the Communications team with preparing orders for schools. Schools around Ireland send in requests to the Commission for posters, books and stationary therefore I got to help place these requests into boxes and prepare them to be sent to the schools! I went down to the archive with Julio we spent two hours counting books and brochures and placing them into boxes. I enjoyed the work, as I got to see the mountains of materials the commission have and I liked reading the blurbs or quickly flicking through the brochures. With 5 out of 6 orders done I had to leave because my dad and I had booked a tour of the Oireachtas at 2.30pm.
After a delicious lunch in Sprout & Co, my dad and I walked briskly to the Oireachtas. I had passed the building many times before but I had never entered it! We were given very official-looking badges and then escorted to the Dáil where we watched TDs and Senators ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Parliamentary questions. I was quite intrigued by the discussions and was a little sad to leave the Dáil to join our tour guide, but nonetheless I was eager to see the rest of Leinster House.
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
A lovely lunch in Sprout & Co!
We were joined by the German Labour Party on the tour, and our guide was from Donegal. It was a fascinating tour taught me a lot about the history of Leinster House and about the Parliament, it also reminded me a little of my Junior Cert History course as we were told about the 1916 Rising and the 1922 Anglo-Irish Treaty. At the end of the tour we were given a copy of ‘The Proclamation’!
Me infront of the Oireachtas holding the Proclamation!
When we arrived back at the office, I went up to the Press Team and talked with Grainne for a while about the European Commission social media accounts, focusing mainly on Twitter. She explained to me how their Twitter account works, and showed me the type of tweets they would post. I was also shown the official website of the European Commission Representation in Dublin, and how they format and create the content for this website. Although it was a short talk, it was very informative and useful! When I was back in the Political section I immediately followed the European Commission Representation on Twitter and Facebook!
At the end of this exciting day, I had a 'Spring Social Reception' with the members of the European Commission Representation. This was a lovely occasion where I got the chance to socialize with the people working in the Representation, they were all very kind!
At the end of this exciting day, I had a 'Spring Social Reception' with the members of the European Commission Representation. This was a lovely occasion where I got the chance to socialize with the people working in the Representation, they were all very kind!
Friday, March 24th
Since today was my last day of work experience, I was determined to make the most of it! I started off the day continuing my report about my week's activities. Once I was up to date with that, I explored the internet for any interesting news stories from today and transferred my research on to a word document to forward to the ESO, as the news stories could prove useful in preparing his weekly report.
There was supposed to be a young SPD group from Germany coming today, and Harry O'Connor from the European Parliament (whom I meet with on Wednesday) was meant to be giving them a presentation. However due to certain circumstances the SPD group from Germany were unable to come, which was a real shame! Instead I spent the hour doing more fascinating research; I also briefly meet Joan and asked her to show me her award!
Since today was my last day of work experience, I was determined to make the most of it! I started off the day continuing my report about my week's activities. Once I was up to date with that, I explored the internet for any interesting news stories from today and transferred my research on to a word document to forward to the ESO, as the news stories could prove useful in preparing his weekly report.
There was supposed to be a young SPD group from Germany coming today, and Harry O'Connor from the European Parliament (whom I meet with on Wednesday) was meant to be giving them a presentation. However due to certain circumstances the SPD group from Germany were unable to come, which was a real shame! Instead I spent the hour doing more fascinating research; I also briefly meet Joan and asked her to show me her award!
Speaking of news, here are a few interesting news articles from the 20th century hanging in the Commissioner's Office.
Following a tasty lunch in the park I was invited to accompany James and the Portuguese intern to the Trinity Model United Nations Opening Ceremony. To say the least, I was very excited! At 12.30pm we left the building and walked towards Trinity College. The Opening Ceremony took place in the Graduates Memorial Building. I sat down next to… in the front row and it was very interesting hearing many foreign languages around me such as French, German and Dutch. Many foreign students from all over Europe had travelled to Trinity College to take part in the Model United Nations. The Opening Ceremony was really good, it included welcoming speeches from a few students who helped organise the Trinity MUN and also a speech by James. The theme for the conference was 'reconciliation' which I thought was a good theme as there is a lot to say about it. When I'm older I hope to join one of these Model United Nations, as from what I heard today they sound amazing. After the though-provoking and captivating speeches there was a small reception held in a room upstairs. I felt a little bit out of place with all these university students around me, but as soon as a few of them started talking to me it was very enjoyable and pleasant as they were very friendly!
Trinity Model United Nations!
When I arrived back at the office that afternoon, I reflected on the experience I just had, and finished off my report on my week at the European commission Representation in Dublin.
Having now completed my week of work experience, I feel I have a better understanding of the European Union and I have learnt a great deal about working for the Commission and also the Parliament. Everybody was very kind and helpful, and they gave me engaging and fun jobs to complete! I even got my own European Commission email address! I had a brilliant week, there was never a dull moment and I have had many memorable experiences.
Having now completed my week of work experience, I feel I have a better understanding of the European Union and I have learnt a great deal about working for the Commission and also the Parliament. Everybody was very kind and helpful, and they gave me engaging and fun jobs to complete! I even got my own European Commission email address! I had a brilliant week, there was never a dull moment and I have had many memorable experiences.
My own official European Commission email address!