A full auditorium to share real career paths and practical advice

12/05/2026

On Tuesday, May 12, the auditorium of the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology was filled for the Closing Ceremony of Studies: the Alumni Perspective, an event that brought together professionals from the degrees in Sociology, Political Science and International Relations. The event was held in a hybrid format—both in person and online—as participants are currently working in local organizations as well as in international institutions across Europe.

Throughout the session, the speakers shared their professional journeys and made available to students a range of resources, programmes and practical advice to help guide their future careers. The event also included a Q&A segment and a subsequent networking session, where students were able to interact directly with alumni.

The event opened by highlighting the diversity of the Faculty and of professional career paths. “There is no single path to get there. […] There are unexpected moments that lead us to reorient ourselves depending on the decisions we make,” said Dafne Muntanyola, Vice-Dean for Communication and Professional Development and moderator of the event.

In the same vein, Rubén Coca, Sociology alumnus ’01 and Data Analytics Manager in the Compliance Department at CaixaBank, described a career marked by change and adaptation: “I was a very curious person, but I didn’t have a clear vocation.” After initially moving into human resources and teaching, he found his path in market research, before eventually shifting towards programming and automation in this field. His final reflection was clear: “I’ve been a very indecisive person, I’ve taken many turns, and that’s okay; it has allowed me to make many leaps in my career and continue growing.”

With a career closely linked to research and European institutions, Clelia Colombo, Sociology alumna ’02 and Director General for Multilateral Affairs at the Government of Catalonia, highlighted the importance of applying academic knowledge in real-world contexts and of exploring different professional opportunities. She emphasized the value of labour mobility: “Change jobs, make changes—I will always encourage you to do so,” and “Do what is best for you at each moment.” She also stressed the importance of international internships, particularly through overseas delegations: “European Union institutions offer very good working conditions.”

Alba Garcia, International Relations alumna ’23 and Co-Coordinator of the Defence, International Security and Intelligence Study Area at Amassuru, described an uncertain start to her professional career: “At the beginning, my experience was a bit chaotic.” Nevertheless, she underlined the need to explore different fields and gradually specialise. She emphasized the value of internships: “Not only to get hired, but to learn a lot, build contacts and set yourselves apart.” She also highlighted the importance of networking: “You have to do networking. It’s necessary—and it has to be done properly.” Her final message was clear and motivating: “Be eager to learn, and don’t limit yourselves to what exists only in Catalonia.”

“To work in this field, I need something more than just a degree,” noted Jordi Bernal, Political Attaché at the EU Delegation to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. He recommended pursuing master’s degrees abroad and taking advantage of programmes such as the EU’s Blue Book traineeship, as well as scholarships offered by Diplocat or La Caixa. He also stressed the importance of languages beyond English, with special mention of French and regional European languages, which can make a real difference.

“It is very important to be the right person at the right time,” said Esther Mena, Political Science and Public Administration alumna ’04, mentor in the Mentoria UAB programme and International Affairs Specialist at the United Nations. “You must always offer added value in comparison with the competition […] the competition is global,” she stressed, highlighting the demanding nature of the sector. She also recommended pursuing master’s degrees and undertaking international internships in non-native languages.

The event made it clear that there are no linear career paths and that flexibility, curiosity and adaptability are key elements in professional development. The speakers agreed on the demanding nature of the sector, the importance of making the most of internships, building a strong professional network and committing to international experiences. They also highlighted the distinctive value of the Faculty’s students: “Make yourselves stand out (…) your cross-disciplinary perspective is an asset you must learn to showcase.”

With a full auditorium and active student participation during the Q&A session, the Closing Ceremony of Studies: the Alumni Perspective was consolidated as an inspiring and useful space, where students were able to gain a realistic view of the professional world, focused on concrete tools that can help shape their future careers.