Brussels is a city built on full mobility. Every year, hundreds (if not thousands) of bright young professionals land here with big hopes of launching a career in European affairs.
Most start with an internship. It’s the classic entry point: a foot in the door of the EU institutions and then consultancies, NGOs, trade associations, think tanks or media. But here’s the thing: What happens after the internships end? How do you turn a short-term gig into something more stable and meaningful?
This transition from intern to early-career professional is one of the most overlooked (and let’s be honest, most frustrating) parts of working in this city. Too many talented individuals find themselves in limbo: overqualified for another internship yet still considered too fresh for a full-time junior officer or consultant role.
As someone who’s had the chance to recruit and promote dozens of people in this space, I’ve noticed some patterns. I’d like to share three insights that clearly make a difference when it comes to offering someone a more permanent position in this overly competitive job market.
- Shift from Performer to Contributor
Let’s start with mindset.
Most interns show up eager to perform. They complete tasks, meet deadlines, follow instructions. And this is a great start! But if you want to grow beyond the internship, you’ll need to shift gears.
A contributor mindset means you’re not just doing the work, but you’re thinking about the work. Here’s what that looks like:
- Ask smart questions, not just about the task, but about the “why” behind it. Try to understand how your piece of the puzzle fits into the bigger picture. What is the project aiming to achieve? Who is the audience? How does this deliverable support the broader policy or communications strategy? These questions signal that you’re not just ticking boxes, but you’re thinking critically and strategically.
- Show curiosity about the broader project or organisational priorities. Read the latest publications or newsletters. Pay attention in meetings, even when they seem above your pay grade. Bring up connections between different initiatives or issues you’ve noticed, this shows you’re mentally plugged in, not just mechanically present.
- Propose small improvements when you spot inefficiencies, outdated practices, or better ways of working. This doesn’t mean criticising everything, nobody wants a “this is all wrong” attitude! But thoughtful suggestions, delivered with humility, are powerful. They show initiative and care. Whether it’s a faster way to handle a database, a clearer format for a briefing, or even a new tool you’ve seen others use, these small contributions make a big impression.
- Most importantly, start acting like someone who’s already part of the team, not just a guest waiting to be evaluated. Own your work. Ask for feedback. Volunteer for tasks, even if they’re slightly out of your comfort zone. The more you operate as a trusted contributor, the more likely your team will begin to treat you, as well as keep you, as one.
Trust me, teams don’t just promote task executors. They promote those who take initiative, bring fresh perspective, and offer value beyond the routine work.
- Build Relationships, Not Just a Network
In the Brussels Bubble, alongside publicly advertised jobs, there are also many opportunities that never get posted. They’re shared informally, internally, or created for someone who’s already proven themselves. That’s why relationships, not just “networking,” matter so much.
Here’s what makes the difference:
Stay in touch after your internship. Relationships don’t end on the last day of your internship, they just being. A short message to say thank you, a LinkedIn comment celebrating a team’s achievement, or even a “just saw this report or project you worked on, it is super helpful” can keep you on people’s radar. These small, but thoughtful gestures signal that you care about the work and the people behind it. You don’t have to overdo it, consistency and authenticity matter more than frequency.
Be helpful, not transactional. EU Bubble is a small town in a big city, and people remember how you made them feel. Instead of reaching out only when you need something, get into the habit of offering support. Share a job opening you saw with someone who might be a good fit. Offer to introduce two contacts working on similar topics. Recommend a reliable supplier, writer, designer, whatever might be useful. These small acts build trust, and trust often leads to opportunity.
Show up to events, not to pitch yourself, but to engage. From all sorts of policy debates to social networking events, EU Bubble offers plenty of chances to be seen and heard. Attend with the intention to listen, learn, and have conversations that matter. Don’t try to “sell yourself”, just being present, curious, and respectful goes a long way. And yes, it can be awkward at first (especially if you’re introverted or new to the city), but showing up regularly builds familiarity. People begin to associate your name with your face, your ideas, and your energy.
Over time, you’ll notice something shifting people stop seeing you as “the intern who used to work here,” and start seeing you as “someone I’d like to work with again.”
- Build Credibility in Public
If you’re still figuring things out professionally, let people see that process. That visibility can work in your favour, especially in a place like the Brussels Bubble where being seen as “committed to a cause” and “engaged” can open doors.
Here are a few easy ways to do that:
- Share reflections from events you attend. A simple post on LinkedIn about an event or panel discussion you joined can go a long way. But instead of just saying “I attended this and that”, go a step further and share what challenged your thinking, what insights you’re taking with you, or how it connects to your interests. Maybe a speaker raised a point that made you reflect on your own experience. Maybe you noticed a gap in the conversation you’d like to explore. These reflections demonstrate critical thinking, communication skills, and genuine engagement with your field, all traits that potential employers notice.
- Start or join a side project. Not everything has to be formal or tied to your 9-to-5 ambitions. Maybe you share a reading list on EU energy policy once a month. Maybe you curate a newsletter for your peers or run an Instagram account demystifying public affairs careers. These projects may seem small scale, but they make your voice and perspective stand out in a crowded field. The scale doesn’t matter much, to be honest. It’s the intention and act of building something and committing to it that speaks volumes. You’ll not only learn new skills (content creation, event management, branding, teamwork), but you’ll also create tangible proof of your interests and capabilities. That’s super powerful!
- Volunteer with young professionals’ networks or community initiatives. Brussels is full of initiatives for young professionals. Whether it’s Brussels New Generation or Young Professional in Digital Policy Network, look for the ones that match your values and interests, and get involved. Offer to help with event logistics, manage a mailing list, moderate a panel, write a recap, or even welcome newcomers. These roles often give you early leadership experience and they help build a reputation as someone who shows up and follows through.
In the end, doing this kind of visible, consistent work positions you as someone who is active, engaged, and committed, not just about getting a job, but about growing in the field. It’s the kind of reputation that can precede your CV and open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Let’s admit, Brussels Bubble job market isn’t an easy place to “crack,” but it rewards persistence and authenticity. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Actually, it is good to admit that you don’t have it figured out! But if you shift to growth mindset, invest authentically in your relationships, and stay visible in thoughtful ways, you can go a long way.
Don’t forget, you’re never “just an intern.” You’re a future colleague. And it’s never too early to act like one.
