Both Giacomo and Margo became aware of the positions by posts on LinkedIn. Margo knew of Circle U. before the job was advertised, while Giacomo was familiar with projects co-funded by the EU in the higher education sector, through his work in India.
The Communications Officer
“Before landing this job in Brussels, I have lived and worked in Stellenbosch, South Africa (for one year) and Aarhus, Denmark (for almost 3 years). I love to work in international environments, so Circle U. seems like a really good fit,” says Margo.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master's in European Studies. She has previously worked in two small startups, a non-profit organisation, a EU-funded project at a municipality, and lastly in an international company with offices all over the globe.
“I want to work for an organisation that has a positive impact on society, and I believe that this is what Circle U. strives for. In collaboration with the communication officers, I'd like to enable a smooth and clear work process to communicate about Circle U., both internally and externally,” she says.
She describes herself as quite a social person, who likes to go out with friends and to cultural events like festivals, concerts, movie screenings.
The Operations Assistant
28-year-old Giacomo is from Brescia in Northern Italy:
“I graduated in International Relations from the University of Milan, I have been an Erasmus+ student in Reims, France, and a trainee first in Chandigarh, India - a country for which I have an incommensurate passion - and then in Strasbourg, France again. I speak Italian, English, French and just a little bit of Spanish and Hindi,” he says.
Giacomo takes on the role as Circle U.s’ “Swiss army knife”, saying: “I aspire to foster an inspiring and innovative working environment, to find the right "tool" to smooth out and facilitate any administrative and bureaucratic process that may arise, and ultimately to support the development and success of the Alliance. I am now grateful to be able to contribute to Circle U. and its mission, towards tomorrows' European University.”
When not working, Giacomo likes to play the clarinet – he has done so since the age of 11 – and to read. “I am particularly fond of 20th century Italian and Indian novels and French classics. Currently reading Simenon to familiarise myself with Belgian classics, too,” he says.
The Circle U. Office
As from 8th of April 2024, the Circle U. Office is composed of the Secretary General, the Communication Officer, the MEL Officer and the Operations Assistants. Every semester, the Circle U. Office hosts a student from one of the member universities for a 3-month internship. The Circle U. Office is hosted by UCLouvain on Saint-Louis Campus at the very heart of Brussels.