Interview with Nicole, former trainee at the EUAA
The EUAA, headquartered in Malta, employs hundreds of staff: from experienced professionals to young people and trainees. Thanks to the diverse nationalities and cultures represented by staff members, working at the Agency’s headquarters can be a deeply enriching experience. To give you an insight into what working at the EUAA feels like, we spoke with Nicole, a young professional who was a trainee at the Agency previously, and who told us about her experience.
Please introduce yourself
My name is Nicole Valentina Zemoz, I am Italian and 28 years old. I come from Italy’s smallest region, Valle d’Aosta, a fascinating place in the Alps where I also became a ski instructor and a lawyer.
What was your position as a Blue-Book trainee?
I was a Blue-Book trainee in the Litigation and Complaints Sector of the Legal Services Unit within the Institutional and Horizontal Affairs Centre (C4) of EUAA.
What did you like about being a trainee at the EUAA? How did it enrich your professional experience?
From the start, I felt I integrated into the team well. I was involved in a wide range of legal files, entailing varying degrees of complexity. This allowed me, within a rather short period of time, to apply my knowledge of EU law and, most importantly, to get acquainted with the role of the EUAA as an EU agency and the mission, working methods and procedures of its Legal Services Unit. Furthermore, this experience has allowed me to develop a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles of EU administrative law, putting into practice what I had studied and applied already at the national level.
Why should trainees and young professionals apply to work at the EUAA?
I encourage young professionals to apply for a traineeship at the EUAA. A traineeship at this Agency can be a great learning opportunity, as it allows trainees to enhance and apply their knowledge and develop their skills, by working closely with experienced personnel and by being actively involved in the day-to-day work. Moreover, when working for the EUAA, you become part of a great team where you feel welcome and appreciated from the start and where you can be given opportunities to make your own contribution to the Agency’s work. The EUAA also offers various teambuilding and leisure activities where trainees can also participate and get to know each other and other Agency personnel and share different cultures and traditions, fostering a spirit of teamwork and promoting a collaborative work environment.
What do you like about living in Malta?
Although I am a mountain girl, I think Malta has a lot to offer in terms of both nature and culture. Personally, I like living here because I can go surfing, climbing and practice other sports. It is a real island life!
