How ESPS helped me to get my job in the European Commission (Joanna Parkin, 2006)
Responsible for the preparation and drafting of speeches, press articles and editorials for the Commissioner and senior Cabinet staff. The job involves working closely with DG ECFIN and Cabinet members to produce interesting texts for a range of audiences.
Joanna says:
ESPS has been instrumental in obtaining my current position, as speechwriter for the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Policy at the European Commission, in more ways than one. Initially, it was only through ESPS and UCL that I became aware of the job opening, given that the post was not advertised openly but the department contacted directly by the Commission.
This reflects the level of international esteem held for the university and the degree course. The ability to combine language study while gaining an extensive knowledge of European affairs has proved invaluable given that a second language is obligatory for employment in the European Commission.
At the same time, my employer was impressed with the sheer breadth of courses I studied in ESPS , ranging from French and anthropology, to history, politics and philosophy. Now working with the cabinet of the Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, this flexibility and willingness to tackle previously unfamiliar subject material has proved very useful!
In a broader sense, ESPS and in particular the year abroad and research dissertation provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate the initiative, independence in working and strong organisational skills that are crucial to the job I do now. In short, ESPS has widened my horizons and equipped me with the necessary skills to do this challenging and exciting work.
ESPS: the first step towards a research career (Alison Mallard, 2006)
On graduating from ESPS in 2004 Alison was awarded a 1-year DAAD studentship to study philosophy at the Humboldt Universitaet zu Berlin. She then went on to obtain an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science as part of an ESRC funded 1+3 programme. She is currently a doctoral student at the LSE, undertaking research on Kant’s political philosophy and the right to revolution. As part of her doctoral research Alison will spend Spring Term 2010 as a Visiting Fellow at Harvard.
Alison says:
The degree in ESPS has been central to my academic development in several ways. As a fledgling undergraduate the structure of the degree offered flexibility and variety, which piqued my interest in areas that were new to me, and helped me to establish the area where I wanted to specialise. This variety also gave breadth alongside depth though, which has been particularly valuable to me in later years as a graduate teaching assistant.
ESPS has also opened up opportunities to me as a graduate student. The combination of language and humanities meant I was able to undertake a year of funded postgraduate study in Berlin, made possible both by my language skills, and my previous experience studying in Hamburg as part of the degree’s year abroad. As a researcher I am also able to consult German language commentary and texts, a great advantage in the area of Kant studies, and a nice touch to any academic proposal.
My degree in ESPS was perhaps most formative though in giving me a taste for independent research. Not only did this give me a desire to embark on graduate studies, but also made it possible. Crucially, the philosophical ideas and research skills that I developed as part of the dissertation and the European Research Seminar allowed me to develop a detailed PhD proposal for the ESRC 1+3 application, and secured me funding for the full duration of my graduate studies.
ESPS: the first step towards an international career (Aleksandra Krakiewicz, 2003)
After graduating from ESPS in 2003, Aleksandra went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford, St. Antony’s College. She completed her MPhil in 2005 and is now reading for a DPhil (PhD) in International Relations. Last year she also spent several months working at the United Nations in New York. The experience she gained working in the Security Council Affairs Division and then in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping was fascinating and a useful complement to her academic work.
Aleksandra says:
ESPS was an excellent preparation for graduate studies in many ways. The breadth of subjects I studied has helped me to maintain a wider perspective on the more specialised issues that I work on now.
Most importantly perhaps, the Dissertation provided a rare opportunity to produce a first piece of independent research. Initially, this helped me decide that I in fact wanted to continue studying for a research degree. I felt more confident about the task of writing a doctoral thesis and going abroad to do fieldwork. The Dissertation, and the year abroad more generally, helped me develop the organisational skills, independence and self-discipline that post-graduate research requires.
ESPS is also special because it brings together a diverse mix of students from different backgrounds. I not only learned a lot from other students’ experience and knowledge of various European countries - it was also an ideal preparation for working in a multinational environment, such as the United Nations in my case.
I chose to study the degree because it allowed me to combine my interest in modern languages with my interest in politics and philosophy. The programme offered enough flexibility to cater for personal choice, yet enough focus to give a clear sense of aim and direction. Moreover, the opportunities to spend a year abroad and to conduct a research dissertation proved invaluable.
After leaving UCL , I joined the civil service and took up a post in HM Treasury. I first worked in the Welfare to Work team, which aims to expand economic and employment opportunities for all and to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of public services. I have now joined the Tax Policy team, working on general business tax and budget issues. Working for the Government is both exciting and challenging - you must quickly become an expert in your policy area, offering sound advice and critical analysis.
Studying the degree programme developed my interest in politics as well as my skills of analysis and critique. Combined with my year abroad and independent research project, this helped me acquire the confidence to apply these skills and to challenge those around me.
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ESPS has been instrumental in obtaining my current position, as speechwriter for the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Policy at the European Commission, in more ways than one. Initially, it was only through ESPS and UCL that I became aware of the job opening, given that the post was not advertised openly but the department contacted directly by the Commission. 
The degree in ESPS has been central to my academic development in several ways. As a fledgling undergraduate the structure of the degree offered flexibility and variety, which piqued my interest in areas that were new to me, and helped me to establish the area where I wanted to specialise. This variety also gave breadth alongside depth though, which has been particularly valuable to me in later years as a graduate teaching assistant.
ESPS was an excellent preparation for graduate studies in many ways. The breadth of subjects I studied has helped me to maintain a wider perspective on the more specialised issues that I work on now. 
