Career Beyond Borders is a full-day careers forum designed to help students and early-career professionals understand how international and European institutions recruit, assess talent, and build long-term careers.
Bringing together professionals from the United Nations, the European Commission, internationally active organisations based in Maastricht, and UNU-MERIT alumni, the event offers insights into potential career pathways.
Programme
09:30–09:45
Arrival and Registration
09:45–10:00
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr Elaine Lebon-McGregor, Academic Director, MPP
Prof. Dr Fiona Tregenna, Director, UNU-MERIT
10:00–11:15
Careers at the United Nations: How the System Really Works
Marian Blondeel, Head of Benelux & EU Desk, UN Regional Information Centre
11:15–12:15
European Union Careers: From Blue Book to Long-Term Pathways
Ruslana Bekyarova and colleagues
European Commission, Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security
12:15–12:45
Pursuing a Research Career: From Master’s to PhD
Prof. Dr Melissa Siegel, UNU-MERIT
12:45–14:00
Lunch Break
14:00–15:00
Working Internationally from Maastricht: Local Institutions, Global Mandates
Panel with:
Lars Boering, European Journalism Centre
Andrew Sheriff, European Centre for Development Policy Management
Veronika Georgieva, European Institute of Public Administration
15:00–16:00
Alumni Panel: Early Career Decisions, Trade-Offs, and Turning Points
Moderated by Dr Elaine Lebon-McGregor
Speakers:
Dr Paulina Pankowska, Utrecht University
Cristina Mancigotti, UNU-MERIT
Laura Nieboer, Harvest Hub
Alexander Hunns, UNU-MERIT
16:00–17:00
Closing Reception