u/WorldlyWitness1656

Hi everyone, I’m an Italian Master’s student in International Relations. I’d like to work for the European Union one day, but the more I read about it, the more I realize just how difficult, long, and uncertain the path is. Don't get me wrong—I know it’s normal to face challenges, to need to gain experience, and to constantly keep learning. However, it sometimes feels like not only are there hurdles in building the career path itself, but that even with all that effort, it might not be enough. I’m 25; my only international experience is a two-week stint with the European Solidarity Corps, and I speak English at a B2 level, with B1 proficiency in French and Spanish. I’ve thought about doing internships, but the fierce competition is discouraging. I’ve read that internships alone aren't enough to get noticed, you need actual work experience, yet I’ve seen people with years of professional experience who still can't get in. Sorry if I sound like I’m complaining too much; I know I should accept that it’s a grueling process, but I have to ask: is it really worth it to wait years, potentially without ever achieving that goal? I had considered the think tank route as an alternative, but even then... I’m not sure if that’s a better path in terms of stability, the likelihood of getting hired, and salary.

Hi everyone, I’m a second-year Italian student majoring in International Relations. I’d like to work for the EU one day, but I’m undecided about how to shape my career after graduation. I was thinking of first pursuing a PhD abroad—at a university like Leiden, for instance—mainly because I’d like to specialize in space law and policy. In any case, how do the institutions view a PhD? Do they informally value it as experience, or do they prefer professional experience in the public or private sector?

Hello everyone, I'm an Italian student pursuing a master's degree in International Relations. Among my career plans, I was undecided whether to continue my studies after completing my master's degree and therefore attempt a doctorate abroad (I was thinking of the Netherlands or Germany), or to pursue international internships, with the future goal of working in the EU. I had set myself the goal of at least obtaining C1 language certifications in English and French, but I'm not sure if that's enough. I have two questions nagging at me:

1. Is it harder to get a doctorate in a Central or Northern European country or a European internship? Because from reading around, I've deduced that both are complicated.

2. How worthwhile is a doctorate, after all?

3. What kind of CV do you need to stand out in international circles?

Sono uno studente di relazioni internazionali in Italia, sempre attratto più dal materiale che dal mondo spirituale. Eppure negli ultimi tempi sto sentendo la necessità di trovare una vita affiancabile alla mia vita quotidiana, non per renderla semplicemente più ricca o per vantarmi di essere più spirituale.. il mio insegnante di religione a scuola mi disse "la vita senza religione è come mangiare un cornetto mezzo vuoto" , e riflettendoci dopo anni forse un po' di ragione c'è l ha. Sono mesi che approfondisco culti e tradizioni e ne sto trovando alcune molto affini al mio pensiero. Tuttavia, c'è qualcosa che durante il giorno mi blocca dal fare quel passo in più, dallo studio alla pratica. Ripeto, durante il giorno, perché la notte (sto di fatti scrivendo questo post di notte) ho un quotidiano risveglio e sale la necessità di impegnarmi nella pratica, di qualsiasi culto io voglia intraprendere. L indomani cestino l idea, come se fossi bipolare. Vorrei chiedervi le seguenti domande, oltre a sapere la vostra opinione su ciò che ho appena scritto:

1 per chi si è addentrato nella religione, avete cambiato più volte tradizione di riferimento?

2 come distinguere tra semplice fascino e vera devozione/vocazione?

3 più studio, più il pensiero critico si affina e meno quello religiosa ha vitalità? O è un impronta culturale lasciata dall' attuale società laica?

4 perché ho questa differenza fra giorno e notte?

5 se consideriamo gli dei come agenti strutturali e non di azioni attive/passive, ha ancora senso pregare?