New Chapter

Next Monday will be a day of celebrations. Firstly, of my dear husband's 49th birthday, but also the end of my career at my employer of 10 years. A chapter is therefore closing. It has not been an easy neither linear ride. I embarked my career in this institution as a fresh graduate and set my long-term vision: I wanted to build my career working for the European Union. At the time, civil service was still respected and temporary contracts were rare, short-term and for the selected few. To concrete example to illustrate: I had 11 contracts in less than 2 years! Many adventures, further studies and valuable professional experiences later, I returned to the goal of mine in 2013. The consequent years were probably the toughest I had had -navigating my life between building a family, having my four babies, renovating a house, while keeping one toe in office. At one point I was ready to become a full-time yoga teacher! Then came Covid, an opportunity to re-focus my mind and the use of my time and allowed me to pass the competition. The only sustainable way to build an intellectually stimulating career within the EU jungle. The rest has been relatively easy. I applied to few positions and got invites to interviews to almost all of them. I could truly choose where I wanted to go. The role of my choice seemed to arrive naturally and appeared to be meant for me with direct link to my native country. I am very excited and look forward to the change. The coming year will be surely challenging in all perspectives, moving to new institution, learning a new profession, establishing my network in teleworking times..but it also gets me out of my comfort zone. And I feel ever grateful to have this opportunity to learn and grow.