In my current job as SSCC Policy Advisor and EU project Developer I work at the intersection of technology and policy. What are the current regional policy priorities and how can they best be achieved with the digital technology at hand or soon to be released? How can we speed up uptake of innovative technologies through EU projects? Whom would like to work with us? How can we ensure the impact of our projects has a lasting impact?
Meet the professional
In the year 2000, during the internet bubble, I entered the ICT sector and never left it since. This was kind of weird as I would regularly crash my parents computer when growing up and never associated ICT as something other than useful for my research... I had studied economics and public management at the University of Ottawa (Canada) and moved to Belgium in 1998. A large commercial company was seeking someone with a perspective on how users would use the internet, I had many ideas and a fresh perspective to contribute. In 2006, I went from the commercial to the public service, because I found this a more meaningful environment. I was working to improve the city I lived in. My first role in Digipolis (Intermunicipal collaboration in charge of ICT for the cities of Ghent and Antwerp) was as program director on the digital divide (now referred to as e-Inclusion), followed by European Projects and External Strategy Coordinator and Chief Foresight Officer. I also made a short leap to the academic sector, working at Imec for almost two years. After which I joined the great team at Digitaal Flanders where I am currently working.
Skills
Find out the key skills to becoming a Policy Advisor & EU Project Developer Curiosity allows me to eagerly seek and spot issues that could be solved and pinpoint possible funding mechanisms or collaboration opportunities. Analytical reasoning I use to understand problems. I often research documents covering the aspects and interview experts (active listening and empathy). Critical Thinking allows me to constructively way into discussions to bring in new points of view and possible implications. Within a government we not only need to analyse problems but also solve them within a challenging context. We need to take into account the context and the conditions (rules, financial context, available.Curiosity
Analytical reasoning
Research
Critical Thinking
Analysing and Solving Problems
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Advice to take away
- Keep an open mind.
- Find out what makes you tick.
- Never stop learning.
Disclaimer
This Career sheet has been provided by means of the URBANAGE project.
Scientix, an initiative of European Schoolnet.