VOL. 6 | ED. 2
PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT to take into account a bigger discussion which does not only apply to the EU institutions, but to finding a good job in general. Having a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree just doesn't cut it anymore. Think about it. How many students graduate every year? How many can the labour market absorb? While there is some filtering going on because some of the top students will get the better jobs and so on, there is still an excess of graduates on the market. So, as soon as possible, you have to do something extra, you need to
“How many students graduate every year? How many can the labour market absorb? While there is some filtering going on because some of the top students will get the better jobs and so on, there is still an excess of graduates on the market. So, as soon as possible, you have to do something extra, you need to engage in extracurricular activities, and identify early on which field you want to work in.” engage in extracurricular activities, and identify early on which field you want to work in. If you want to work with European law, start looking into a European law moot court competition. Look for internships, for law firms which work with some sort of a European law dimension. You have all these students’ associations; get involved and do something extra
which is meaningful and tells a nice story, so when you graduate and you want to get a job, your CV should tell a good story about you. Your profile should not be all over the place, it needs to show your specialisation. It is a cruel reality that you cannot do it all and if working for the EU institutions is your goal, which is a broad one by itself, start narrowing down your field, the Directorate-General which covers it for example, if it is the Commission you are going after, and coordinate all your efforts and your searches towards that direction. Lawyr.it: Given that your previous answers covered a lot of professional advice, and our signature question at the end of each interview involves advice for law students in general, we would like to nuance the question. If you could give one personal advice to law students, what would it be? C.R.: The more I engage with law, the more I think that proportionality and balance are key aspects. So, be balanced in everything that you do as a student. Study a couple of hours every day, early on, take it seriously, build you profile and your career. But don’t skip the parties, or that basketball match with friends, have those beers, while keeping in mind that balance is everything. But also, be aware that your twenties go really, really fast, so enjoy them, and everything else this world has to offer. I know I did. No, scratch that. I still do! By Patricia Cîmpian