Thomas appreciates his analytical skills

What made you choose the University of Gothenburg for your education?

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The University of Gothenburg was recommended to me while I was finishing my Bachelor's studies, and I was told that it was one of the best universities in Scandinavia for political science. I did some research about the university, the Master's programme, and about the city and was quickly convinced.

What did you like best about your study programme?

One of the best parts of the programme was the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in whichever area interested you with access to experts within the Department. At the same time, the student work-life balance, where your studies are seen as a full-time job, also made it much easier to enjoy all the great things Gothenburg has to offer.

Describe your work, what do you do?

World Trade Organization's goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct trade. In the Trade and Environment Division, I work with colleagues in several different areas, such as analyzing legislative proposals, organizing meetings and conferences, and supporting the work of the Trade and Environment Committee and environmental initiatives which aim to promote the role of trade in achieving environmental objectives.

What do you benefit most from your education?

The Master's Programme in Political Science provides great opportunities to focus on any area of political science. The main benefit for the working world was to learn how to analyze complex ideas and interpret them in a simple way. Critical thinking and analysis are one of the most useful skills in the workplace, regardless of what you actually do.

Did you find it easy or difficult to get a job after graduation?

Finding a job right after my graduation wasn't easy. I initially wanted to stay in Gothenburg but was having trouble finding a job for which I had relevant qualifications. After about six months, I started an internship in Brussels working in public affairs and on different topics, including trade policy, which helped me make the jump to Geneva.

Your three best career tips?

1. Be curious about different topics. If a topic interests you, read up, discuss it with others, and learn what you can. More and more work is intersectional, and being open to new ideas and topics could lead you down interesting paths.
2. Be organized. In most fast-paced workplaces, the easiest way to stay on top of things is to be organized, give yourself deadlines and respect them.
3. Be concise. Once you graduate, the word count of a document doesn't matter. Being able to say what you want succinctly is a tough skill but will help you save time in the long run.