Expert in Communication and Public Engagement

Cecilia Thorfinn

European Commission Representation in the Netherlands

“Let yourself be guided by intuition – which can give you a sense of direction – but also be prepared to adapt, as circumstances change and unexpected opportunities will present themselves. As my story shows, your career can eventually both include many elements you may not have foreseen at the start and allow you to pursue your original passion.”

Meet Cecilia

• Cecilia works in the European Commission in the field of communications with a passion and drive for European Integration and connecting the EU with its citizens.
• Knowing that she was aiming for the European institutions at a young age, she made several strategic decisions early on in terms of studies, internships and mentorship to enter into the European institutions she was aiming for.
• By branching out beyond her main sector, both within European institutions and by exploring the startup world, she developed a diverse skill set. Over time, these experiences have taught her both how to handle setbacks and turn ideas into practical achievements.

Read more and find out everything!

Sector

European Institutions and Policy

• Cecilia works in communication and political reporting.
• Why This Path? It allows her to come up with innovative new ways of engaging directly with the Dutch public and bringing European integration forward: which she sees as a chief way of making our society a better place.
• “I have been carried by this feeling that I can do something meaningful that fits in with my talents and it fits with who I am.”
• What’s in the Sector’s Future? Cecilia believes that in the age of mass media and AI, people’s interpersonal skills, an ability to take independent initiative and come across as someone who has a broad outlook will grow in importance.

Skills

Want to find out how Cecilia landed the role she’s currently in?

• Resilience – developed through sitting the official European Commission exam multiple times and ultimately succeeding through hard work and dedication to improve her chances in the time between the exams. She was open to feedback and worked actively on refining her chances despite initial defeat.
• Adaptability – as seen through her various experiences working in development and non-European Commission roles, developing different, complementary strengths at each career step.
• Turning creative concepts into concrete projects – as demonstrated through her time as an entrepreneur in the private market and implementing the tangible lessons learned in her current role in the European Commission. Being able to break down an idea into actionable steps to implement in practice is a valuable skill and dedication, Cecilia highlights!

Advice & Tips

Based on her own life, Cecilia recommends:

• “Let yourself be guided by intuition, which can give you a sense of direction but also be prepared to adapt, as circumstances change and unexpected opportunities will present themselves. As my story shows, your career can eventually both include many elements you may not have foreseen at the start and allow you to pursue your original passion.”
• Actively seek opportunities for mentorship by people who are working in the sector you are interested in working in. Although an opportunity might not have a direct connect to where you see yourself in the future, being guided by a mentor in that role can open your eyes to new perspectives and widen your network.
• Practically, if you are looking to test into the European Commission, Cecilia really recommends applying in English and using your native language as the secondary language, to improve your chances.

“Connect to the place you are at and learn the language [as] it gives you another connection to the place you find yourself in and the people you will meet.”

Cecilia says about her current home, The Hague. However, Cecilia also emphasises that she is still “very Swedish” and has a deep connection to her home country and culture.