Dear BSISers,
The countdown to this semester`s networking event has started!!!To make sure you are well prepared, I wanted to share with you important information.
Networking Workshop: Thursday the 28th at 15:00 in the Wilson Room
In Brussels, 80-90% of jobs and internships are on the hidden job market!
In order for you to access these opportunities you need to know the basics of networking. During this workshop, you will learn the tricks of positive body language, opening lines, ethics of handling contacts and what to write after you have the business cards. You will have the chance to practice the same evening at Le Meridien.
Business cards:
Those who have ordered business cards can pick them up on Thursday from me at the workshop between15:00 and 16:15. The remaining cards will be left at the front office (which closes at 17:00). You can also ask a friend to pick them up for you.
Location and timing of event:
Our event will take place at the Le Méridien Hotel from 19:00-22:00 on Thursday the 28th. The hotel is located right in front of the Gare Central and cannot be missed when exiting the main entrance. http://www.lemeridienbrussels.com/
Directions: When entering the hotel, guests will have to turn left, pass the bar and then turn right, they can go down with the stairs and there will be the foyer Camomille. (We will NOT be in the lobby as last time! See attached picture)
Production Company:
Please note that BSIS has contracted a production company to film the networking event, conduct various interviews and also film the workshop at 15:00.
Event description:
Twice a year, key2advance organizes a Joint Networking Event & Alumni Reunion at Le Méridien Brussels with a cocktail reception sponsored by BSIS. As part of the career preparation process, the bi-annual networking events aim to help students receive more information from Brussels based professionals and alumni about possible career paths on the European and International job markets. Typically, about 30 representatives (also known as ambassadors) and around 20 alumni answer questions about their line of work, skills required to succeed, challenges faced, possibilities for development and offer tips on how to access their sector or specifically their organization. As a direct result of the event, many students get invited to meet various representatives in their work environment, valuable connections are made and many business cards and emails tend to be exchanged. Most importantly, students have the opportunity to receive valuable insights into various professions and gain more clarity on desired and undesired career paths.
Networking facilitation system:
We will take pictures of the ambassadors and place these next to their names on the flip chart, so that you can recognize them easily.
We will also have a coloring system on the name tags (badges):
RED: Ambassadors
Green: Alumni
Yellow: Interns from the European Parliament whose internships will finish at the end of April
Drinks:
Please be advised to have eaten dinner before the event and also to bring enough money to buy yourself drinks. We will have a limited number of tickets for soft drinks, beers and wines.
Registration:
To have a clear idea of who will be joining, please remember to register: http://key2advance.com/events.php
Dress code:
Business casual (most reps and alumni will be coming straight from work in their business wear)
Journalists:
Once again we will have three students who will go around and ask the ambassadors questions about their jobs which will be shared with you after the event.
We are still awaiting for more confirmations from ambassadors and alumni, but wanted to share the preliminary lists with you.
Ambassadors (the majority are NEW..i.e. also interesting for the September students;):
Chris Halburd Lawyer/Lobbyist
Dariusz Dybka I secretary Polish Permanent Representation
David Morrison Communications Service, Greens/EFA Group
Elizabeth Van Den Bergh Head of media and stakeholder management,Mostra
Helene Soupios-David Project Officer, European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE)
Jorge Valero EU correspondent
Kemal Onel National Expert in EC
Kurt Engelen Director or Communications, Euro Atlantic Alliance
Mariana Rocha Advocacy Officer, International Partnership for Human Rights
Martine Alonso Marquis Parliamentary Assistant European Parliam
Olaf Deussen Advisor to Pierre Vimont (EEAS)
Peter Pozsgai National expert in the European Commission
Sabrina Boehmer HR Assistant, International Crisis Group
Steven Van Wichelen UNDP Parliamentary Development Consultant
Susan Schneider Programme Manager, Friedrich Naumann Foundation
Thomas Huddleston Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Group
Simone Boselli Account Director/lobbyist at Hill & Knowlton
David Carroll Public Affairs/Hill & Knowlton/ competition, intellectual property, healthcare, trade and sports
Interns at the European Parliament ready to answer your questions:
Olena Vazhynska Ukraine Norica Nicolai (Romania) ALDE Vice-Chair of Subcommittee on Security and Defence
Cecilie Bjerre Denmark Claudiu Ciprian Tanasescu
(Romania) S&D Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,
Canada and Culture & Education
Milena Mastalo Bosnia and Herzegovina Jelko Kacin (Slovenia) ALDE Vice-Chair, Delegation for Albania,
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo
Aseem Mehta United States Luigi Berlinguer (Italy) S&D Vice-Chair, Committee on Legal Affairs
Roqaya Dhaif Denmark Said El Khadraoui (Belgium) S&D Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the Mashreq countries
Aisha Turner United States Dimitrious Droustas (Greek) S&D Vice-Chair of the Committee on Industry,
Research and Energy/USA/Civil Liberties
Tamara Demydenko Ukraine Antonyia Parvanova (Bulgaria)ALDE
& International Partnership for Human Rights Vice-President ALDE, Environment/Women’s Rights,
Canada/Euro-Med
Thijs van Lindert The Netherlands Ioan Mircea Pascu (Romania) S&D Vice-Chair of Security & Defence & Foreign Affairs
Alumni (who would also be willing to answer your questions):
Lawyer
Public relations consultant
Private Banker
Junior Coordinator Business Development
PhD Student
Policy Analyst focusing on bilateral and
Event Coordinator @ Public Policy Exchange
Public Policy Assistant for Liberty Glob
Sales Director
Operations Coordinator at the Academy of Business in Society
Business Developer
Communication assistant / European Commission
Communications Manager
Looking forward to a great event with you!!!
Best regards
Mona
—
Mona Shair
Careers and Placement Officer
+32 486 936 864
ukb@key2advance.com
www.kent.ac.uk/brussels