Alumni of the Month April 2010

ANNA NEUMAN
2006 Law and Philosophy

Anna Neuman How did you get to where you are now?
I always was very determined and driven. If I had a goal or a task I would work hard towards its completion and not despair if something did not work out.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?
For sure, being selected for the Blue Book Traineeship with the European Commission in Luxembourg . For each training period the European Commission receives over 6000 applications and upon the final selection of candidates only 600 persons are chosen to complete the ‘stage’, so ‘traineeship’ within a specific Directorate-General of the European Commission mainly in Brussels or Luxembourg. Also, following my training at the European Commission, I also passed a different selection at the European Union Agency in Greece , where I am at the moment.

And your biggest mistake?
Often putting my creativity aside as I do not have the opportunity to focus on my creative side.

What are your ambitions now?
My ambitions are divided. As I am very creative, on the one hand I would like to work in the film/music business in production, A&R or music-publishing. On a different side of the coin, to work for the European Union for life, I guess I will need to see what future holds. Also, I would like to continue with my studies.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in a similar field?
Being familiar with the history of the EU, its institutions, agencies, the nature of work of each EU institution. Also, it is essential to be fluent in at least two languages of the European Union.

What made you choose Keele University ?
The ‘dual’ degrees, I was very interested in Philosophy but also wanted to study Law, hence a degree structure at Keele hit the jackpot.

How has Keele influenced your life?
Keele did not really influence my life or its choices but it will remain in my memory, of course; forever.

What is your favourite memory of Keele?
Probably ‘Wood parties’ during May/June time and ‘Bin parties' which involved making cocktails out of any alcoholic mixture possible! Sunny, relaxing times by Keele Hall and the Law Ball.

And your worst?
‘Using IT’ CSP at 9 am was a real nightmare when I lived all the way in Hawthorns, I could barely make it for this class, and spending lungful hours in the library writing my Law and Philosophy essays.