Little did I know when I obtained my master’s degrees in International Relations and National Security Policy Studies from Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic) that I would soon be treading the hallowed and neatly carpeted grounds of the European Parliament.

Yet, I have been calling Brussels and Strasbourg home for a decade already, graduating from starry-eyed trainee to coordinator of the largest Czech delegations. Being personally involved in the launch of the European Defence Fund, the introduction of the GDPR, the reshaping of the Copyright Directive, and the response to the migration crisis made for an eventful, successful, and rewarding time in “the bubble.”

My current position involves working hand-in-hand with MEPs, keeping in close touch with allied delegations, organising events online and off, and ensuring the happiness, cohesion, and political consistency of our team. Put simply, my role is to give my employers the data, the tools, and the insights they need to represent the public and carry out their programmes through politically turbulent times.

I am also in charge of less glamorous but equally sensitive details such as employment contracts, financial statements, transparency audits, and the careful selection of appropriately stimulating coffee beans, a wide-ranging remit that has enabled me to hone practical, technical, and strategic skills.

I specialise in coordinating national and European policies, preparing votes, liaising with private entities, and negotiating with public bodies on upcoming texts, to pre-emptively remove obstacles and resolve any inconsistencies that might interfere with the legislative process.

It is often said that a solid knowledge of history and etiquette is required to navigate the azure waters of European politics. I’d say that loyalty, reliability, and perseverance matter equally, and I strive every day to meet these high standards. Nobody said it would be easy.