Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

My main focus is on UK universities’ participation in the current EU framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon 2020, and the implications of Brexit in this area. I develop policy positions related to this area through consultation with our members, and promote these with stakeholders in Westminster, Brussels and across the EU. This might take the form of drafting papers and reports, but also includes events and meetings.

On an average day, I would estimate I spend 2-3 hours in meetings, either internal or external (often with senior university or government figures), another 2-3 hours reading and responding to emails and phone calls. The rest is spent reading reports and drafting policy positions. I also do quite a lot of communications work, such as writing blogs or FAQs. I travel frequently (mostly to UK universities or Brussels, but to other EU countries too on occasion) when most of my time is taken up with meetings and presentations.

I derive great satisfaction from the knowledge that the work I am doing is having (or will have) a positive impact on the university sector.

The opportunity to work at an influential organisation addressing the significant policy challenges for universities arising from Brexit.

My language skills (to which I have added Dutch since graduating) are useful in discussions with European stakeholders, though English tends to be the lingua franca in EU policy forums. My Masters in EU studies has also proved in invaluable in providing me with an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the EU institutions. More generally, the ability to read and critically analyse texts and draft well-constructed and convinving prose has been essential in my career progression to date.

2010-2012: Graduate intern at the University of Sheffield human resources department
2012: Brief stint at the Equality Challenge Unit, the higher education's equality and diversity sector body
2012-13: Master's in European Interdisciplinary Studies at the College of Europe in Warsaw
2013-14: Trainee in the European Parliament in Brussels
2014-15: Project officer at the European University Association, the representative organisation for European universities in Brussels
2015-16: Policy advisor at the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the main funder and co-regulator of English universities
2016-present: Policy Manager (EU Research and Innovation) at Universities UK International

I would like to remain active in the higher education and research policy field, albeit possibly returning to Brussels at some point. I am also considering taking another Masters in science policy and communication.

If you're interested in public policy, it's essential to find an area of policy that really motivates you. For me, that's higher education but for others it might be any number of obscure fields. I would also emphasise the importance of developing excellent oral communication and presentation skills. My degree helped to a certain extend with these skills but I have really worked on a lot on developing them further since graduating.