We are once again delighted to celebrate those of our European Institute alumni community who have given up their time to volunteer with us in 2023-24. Through speaking at career panels, acting as mentors to students, sharing their stories, and much more, our alumni have done so much to make the EI a wonderful and supportive community.
Members of our community share their testimonials below about their experiences with our alumni volunteers:
Kezia Wexøe-Mikkelsen (current student) "The EI Mentorship Programme was a great experience. My mentor was very supportive and helpful in discussing career goals and how to navigate the job market, and I am very grateful for his support. Hearing about my mentor's experiences and how he made career choices has been really insightful, especially when we discussed his experience at the EU. It has been very valuable for my future and my current process of finding out what to do next, after LSE. I highly recommend signing up for the mentorship programme to get support and better prepare for life after LSE. ”
Adam Judge (Deputy Institute Manager) - “The European Institute’s Alumni have contributed enormously to the success of the department this year. Not only have they generously volunteered their time to attend our Alumni Advice Panels, imparted practical skills in our professional skills programme, and engaged with students to share their insights on platforms like LinkedIn, but they have also joined our new mentoring programme and supported individual students to achieve their dreams. These interactions greatly benefit our students and reinforce the strength of our incredible community. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everybody who volunteered their time and highlight the commitment and passion of our alumni network."
Delphine Polidori (Digital Communications Officer) - “The European Institute is lucky to be surrounded by such active and passionate alumni – in London and around the world! This year, thanks to their continued time and dedication (as well as confidence on camera!), we have been able to connect our incredible alumni community and students through insightful video testimonies full of advice for current and prospective students about the EI experience, as well as tips for pursuing different career paths. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to do a video with us!”
Lea Hatt (current student) - “The EI mentoring programme is a really great way to meet someone working in a field that interests you in a personal and informal way.”
Earth Settawut Kongten (current student) - "Initially, I found myself adrift and uncertain about the direction and focus of my dissertation. However, the encounter with my mentor marked a decisive shift. Her extensive experience and deep insights were invaluable. She guided me towards embracing critical thinking and significantly redirected my academic path...Her impact was transformative. Without her support, navigating the complexities of my dissertation would have been vastly more challenging, and I might not have developed a meaningful topic that significantly contributes to the field of international migration and public policy studies."
Bryony Wills (LSE Careers - EI Career Consultant) - "Despina Manousos (2006, European Political Economy) has been the most incredible support to current and recent European Institute students for many years. As her career has progressed rapidly she has somehow continued to make time to champion more recent graduates through her role as the Brussels Chapter Lead. She fosters a supportive and inclusive community of professionals and makes time to welcome students through networking events and discussions. For the past several years Despina has put together and hosted a panel discussion for students and graduates on Careers in Brussels. Her dedication is obvious and the students attending leave feeling the great value of being part of a professional community, only possible because of Despina and LSE alumni.
The European Institute offers students and graduates access to an incredible community of professionals via the alumni community. I have been fortunate to work closely with many of these individuals both as students and later as alumni. I am inspired by how often members of the alumni community proactively offer help to me and current students – giving up their time, sharing information, even offering introductions and welcome to students in whatever country they begin their graduate careers."
Hannah Shearer (Alumni Engagement Officer) – “The European Institute is, without exaggeration, famous within the LSE for having such a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, and our alumni contribute so much to this wonderful community. As the EI’s Alumni Officer I have the privilege of seeing so many of our alumni giving back to our students – whether that be answering questions at a career panel, sharing their experience through our new mentoring program, or just having a chat at one of our socials – and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved with our volunteer programme this year.”
Find out about the 2022-23 volunteers here.
Are you interested in volunteering with the European Institute? Just get in touch at ei.alumni@lse.ac.uk if you are interested in finding out more about supporting our community.