A non-EU-related degree but working inside an EU Institution; how is that possible? - Interview with José Grande Santalla, trainee inside the Committee of Regions

José Grande Santalla

By Beatriz Santos Mayo, 10 minutes

Have you ever heard about the traineeship in the Committee of Regions (CoR)? Check out Beatriz´s interview with José Grande Santalla, a current trainee in communication in the CoR for the region of Galicia. In the interview, José gave us an overview of his work life and experience applying for this type of internship. 
It has already been demonstrated that to work inside different European institutions, it's not a requirement to have a degree in EU Affairs or European Law. Beatriz had the opportunity to interview José, a trainee in communications at Fundación Europa Galicia inside the Committee of Regions. CoR is a consultative body that serves as a direct conduit between citizens and Brussels and gives regions and cities a say in how the EU makes decisions. This article will give you insights into his role inside the institution and tips for your future career. 

Good Afternoon Jose. Please start by introducing yourself

I´m José Grande Santalla and I am 23 years old. I am from Galicia, Spain, but I live in Brussels as a trainee at Fundación Europea Galicia in the CoR. I have a bachelor's degree in Journalism and a master's in International Studies. Concerning my career experience, I have been a writer for Cronómetro Deportivo, where I used to write soccer-related articles. My career continued in La Voz de Galicia, where  I interned for almost a year. Nowadays, I am a trainee in communications for La Fundación Galicia Europa, representing my regional government in the Committee of Regions for the European Union (EU).

Fundación Galicia Europa? Can you give us an inside at what it is?

Establishing a Galician representative in Brussels and advancing the rapprochement between Galicia and Europe, Fundación Galicia Europa (FGE) was founded in 1988. The FGE has offices in Brussels and Santiago de Compostela and is affiliated with the Directorate-General for Foreign Affairs and Relations with the EU in the Galician regional government. The Xunta de Galicia designated the FGE as a non-profit institution part of the regional public sector. Its main task is to represent the regional government before the EU organs and institutions, following the guidelines laid out by the devolved government and respecting the principles of unity of the State's external action. Our work is directed towards two main aims: better communication of the community action in Galicia and the advocacy for Galician interests at the European level.

We track European Union´s policies to report about them in Galicia, especially to the regional administration, intending to advance Galician interests before the European institutions. In addition, we support and counsel Galician representatives in forums like the Committee of the Regions and other gatherings held at the European Union level. Additionally, we organize events to promote Galicia in Brussels's culture, economy, and tourism.

Sounds pretty interesting, and what is your role as a trainee there?

I'm now completing a communication internship at the Galician Fundacion Europa. Everything relating to internal and external communication is part of my job, including maintaining social media profiles and issuing press releases. As well as maintaining contact with the photographer and advertising the FEG activity. Also, I am responsible for sending invitations for our events and doing the newsletter to keep the Galician citizens updated on our activities. Another interesting task that I have to do is translate all the European News daily to inform my co-workers about the actions of the EU that may influence our region.  

What motivated you to do a traineeship?

I wanted to enhance my professional skills, and  I wanted to do it in Brussels. I found Brussels appealing, not only because it is in the center of the EU but also for the international environment. My region has permanent representation in the Committee of Regions, so I decided to apply. I found it interesting to see how my region and the EU interact.  Moreover, I wanted to experience living abroad, away from home, to experience the famous “EU bubble”.

Talking more further about your traineeship,  How did you apply?

This program has five different kinds of traineeships and occurs once a year. You participate in a point-based "public exams" system. Points are given to every language you know, bachelor's degree title, extracurricular activity, and work experience. The three individuals with the most points are invited to an individual interview,I applied for the traineeship in communication because it builds upon my bachelor's degree in journalism. In the interview process, they posed questions about the current affairs of the EU, my personal decisions to move abroad, my work experience, my educational background, and new ideas for future projects. It is important to highlight that they considered what I have in my resume. For example, they asked about my Model United Nations experience; they were pretty interested in which skills I had achieved thanks to it. 

What are the main challenges of receiving a traineeship offer?

My first challenge was leaving my hometown, my first time living alone and abroad! The point process was also stressful because everybody seemed more prepared than me, with a lot of experience. Still, in the end, with my university degrees, plus my extracurricular activities and professional experience, I got the traineeship. 

In my daily life, normally, I deal with the uncertainty of being a trainee while my co-workers have full-time jobs there. Sometimes, especially at the start, you are lost with the tasks due to everything being new, but with the supervisors and your colleagues supporting you, you get used to it quickly. One thing that I do not find appealing is that you often rely on your boss, which delays the work most of the time. Talking more about my life in Brussels, “the city is not good with newcomers,” meaning that starting your life here is difficult if you do not know people in advance or have an actual plan of action for your career. 

What do you like the most about your current traineeship despite the challenges?

I have the opportunity to work in my home tongue: Gallego. Also, I love to see how the decisions taken in the EU affect the people from my region and how the region influences the decisions in the EU. Moreover, It's impossible not to talk about the opportunities that bring you inside the “EU Bubble”; you meet many different people and start building your network. Once inside the Brussels Buble, staying is not difficult. With the different activities that the Fundación Galicia Europa organizes, I have the opportunity to meet many interesting people.

Finally, what would you advise the student that aspires to do what you are doing now?

I advise them to participate in more extracurricular activities or employment outside of school. A simple project outside of the classroom, MUN, or other activities that provide students experience with things they do not learn in school and that gives them a certificate that they can use to demonstrate their competency and ability to handle a large workload. 

Thank you very much for the interview!

In conclusion, it can be seen that there are more opportunities for internships and traineeships outside the Commission or the European Parliament. This interview provided useful information about Fundación Galicia Europa's objectives, work culture, and internship program. The conversation made it clear that the Committee of the Regions is dedicated to boosting regional development and collaboration among the European Union member states.

More information about traineeship in the CoR here.