James Hermanson
After working in Washington DC at a law firm and the World Bank, I chose to pursue a dual degree masters between Sciences Po, Paris and the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ to pursue a career in in international policy. My studies at the European Institute presented an incredible opportunity to learn from leading professors, and also engage with its incredibly dynamic and relentlessly curious student body. One remarkable aspect of ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ was not only the quality and engagement of the professors, but also their accessibility. Conversations during office hours as well as at the George presented fantastic opportunities to learn from their deep expertise and wealth of knowledge.
Another aspect of the European Institute that stood out was the commitment of its entire staff to the students. They play an integral role in fostering a dynamic and welcoming environment at the European Institute and in helping students make the most of everything that the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ offers.
As soon as my courses ended at the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, I moved to Paris to join the OECD’s South East Europe division. It was thrilling to apply the skills and knowledge I gained at the European Institute to real- world questions related to issues ranging from EU accession procedures to the nuances of the EU’s legal and institutional architecture. Working full-time while still sitting my exams and writing a dissertation was certainly a challenge, but one that underscored just how well the courses at the European Institute had prepared me for the working world.
After two years with the South East Europe division, I joined the Social Economy and Innovation unit at the OECD Centre For Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities as a junior economist and policy analyst. My research has covered areas from mapping legal frameworks for the social economy to investigating the potential of young social entrepreneurs to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. While the scope of my work extends beyond Europe, I often find myself returning to my old course notes to help frame my research.
Looking back, I am immensely grateful to the professors and staff at the European Institute. My studies at the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ equipped me to pursue a rewarding career that has enabled me to critically engage with a range of disciplines and global policy issues.