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What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
The people who most influenced my career were the bosses I had. I worked for three different Commissioners and each of them believed in me in different ways and gave me their support. Also, working with Ministers and Politicians helped me understand how you can bring the technical side of the Commission together with the political side. They set the bar of expectations high so I had to jump high in order to reach them. Garret Fitzgerald was one of my lecturers at University, and he was a big enthusiast of Ireland’s membership of the EU, so that of course influenced my career choice.
How did you go about getting your current job?
Describe a typical day?
Over the years I’ve become a morning person so I like to start early and get into the office so I can have a bit of time to organise my day. I start meetings anytime from 8 o’clock onwards and I don’t finish until late in the evening. Sometimes my day is spent on internal meetings. We’re doing a lot of work on climate change at the moment so I’m bringing different departments together and meeting ambassadors. I also go to the European Parliament or meetings of the Prime Ministers so my days can be very varied.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
What are the main challenges?
What do you like most?
Living in Brussels - It’s a similar size to Dublin so it wasn’t a big disruption to move here. I like living on the continent because it makes travel so much easier when you can just get in your car and drive to another country. I also like the multi-national environment because it’s permanently stimulating.
Is there anything that isn't great?
Every job can have its frustrating side. It can be difficult to get twenty eight different countries to move in the one direction and to agree on how to do things. You tend to need a lot of patience and persuasion. It’s such a big institution it can feel a bit impersonal but you could get that in any job.
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
What is your education to date?
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
I think the most rewarding part of my career so far was working on enlargement with countries like Poland and Hungary in the 90’s, when they were preparing to join the EU. It was politically, emotionally and historically the most exciting thing I’ve done because there was the feeling of righting the wrongs of History and putting the continent back together. We were on both sides of the table, pushing them and demanding a lot of them so they would be ready for membership, but also willing them on, so it was incredibly satisfying.
What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?
What is your dream job?
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
I would advise them to give it a go - it doesn’t mean you have to work there long term. You must know how to speak a language other than your mother tongue reasonably well, as a good proficiency is essential. It’s also important to know and understand the cultural diversity that makes up the European Union.
Our internships are a great chance to come for a short period to determine where your interests lie and taste the experiences. Starting out your career path with the EU gives you a really good foundation of insider knowledge of how the EU works and is so useful professionally, even if you don’t plan on working there forever.
It is also important for young Irish people to consider moving to countries that are not English speaking and working for the EU would be very useful to your long term career.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?
I have developed my skills through the range of industries I have worked in within the EU, in the Industry Department on competition, and in External Relations. I also worked on Environment Policy and then with three separate Commissioners, all giving me the broad knowledge I needed to prepare me for taking top job as Secretary General.
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
We provide the opportunity to do five month internships within the European Institutions which is a great way to test whether you might like it and would provide a good background to progress further. It’s a good idea to have some experience of a previous job before you settle into a permanent job in the Civil Service.
- Career Development?
- Current Job?
- Education and Training?
- Personal Qualities?
- Advice for Others?