Episode 10: Starting a Career in the EU – Inside CPVO with Our Trainees

Welcome to SEEDS of Tomorrow, Rainy Voice. I'm Sarah, part of the communication team, and my friendship is almost coming to an end. Today I'm joined by Sofia. We joined the legal unit just two months ago. Together we will share what we've learned, what surprised us, and how working at the CPBO gives you a front row seat to innovation and public service in action. Sofia, welcome.

Hello, Sarah. Thank you very much for having me. I'm very excited and pleased to be here. Good. Let's go to the first question. Tell us about your background and what inspire you to apply for a trendship at the CPVO. Thank you very much for this question. So I have a low background. I studied low at the University of Pento in the north of Italy, and already during my early university years I realized that I wanted to specialize in intellectual property. So after graduating, I moved to Alicante to pursue a master's degree in intellectual property.

And there I discovered that beyond trademarks, patents, copyright, there was also the fascinating word of plan varieties. So I'm very prone to the interdisciplinarity nature of this field, but even more to its practical impact, especially today. In fact, protecting a plant variety, of course, means giving breeders a tool, making them able to access a larger market and making them far more competitive.

But at the same time, it's even more important for the public, even if the public doesn't really realize it, because it means ensuring continuous innovation in a fundamental sector such as, such as plants, which in the end are our food, our life. So yeah, this is also connected with other goals like sustainable food production, plant varieties that are more resistance, they're resilient to challenges like the climate change.

So I think the CPVO mission, it's very broad and I really believe in it. So all these things inspired me to apply for a trainership at the CPVO, which is the centre of expertise there for planned their IT protection in the European Union. Yes, I totally agree with you. The mission they have is very important and you are not aware of its impact until you come and work here.

Yeah. Because it's kind of of unknown for the white public. And what is it that this agency does? So for sure it's it's a very exciting opportunity to be part of it from the inside and to be able to contribute in different ways. Good. So next question, what were your first impressions from the City, from the ANC when you came from, Yes, being at the European Agency?

Yeah, I have to say my first impressions were extremely positive. Anja, it's really small. Well, not even that small. I thought it was smaller. It's but it's small. But it's very, very welcoming. So I, I felt at home since the very beginning. And this is the same also for the agency itself, because even though it has more than 50 staff members, the atmosphere, it's super friendly and you immediately feel included, like you're, you immediately feel that you are part of something, you know, And I, I think that people that work here really feel like they belong to, to the agencies.

So for example, in the legal unit, we are 7 people in total and it's a super young and dynamic team. And from day one, I really felt very supported. So of course we work, we work a lot, but talking about myself, I also learn everyday a lot, so I'm very glad to be here. Good. Yes, maybe it's part of the size of the agency. As it is a small agency, you get to know more the people that is involved in every task and even if in its unit. So it does feel like you are part of and you belong to the dynamic.

Yeah. Also. Because the units really collaborate between each other. So of course, like your unit, it's very important and you spend most of the time with your the colleagues of your unit. But in the end, it's not like isolated, you know, there is a great collaboration between the different units and I really appreciate that. That's good.

I'm very happy to hear that, honestly, because as you come new to a new place, you always need some reassurance that you're going to be OK and that you're going to feel supported. So I'm very glad to hear that you felt that from the beginning. Of course, the challenges of being in a new place are there and we cannot relate to that, but the support is fundamental to make your experience more meaningful at the end of the day, so.

Yeah, I totally agree with you. Probably you, you experienced the same last year. I don't know if now things have changed for you, if you feel even more at home or. Yes, of course. I mean, I needed the time of adapting, you know, and to find myself here, I would say. But now I feel I've outgrown that version of me who came and was more insecure in some areas. And now, of course, I feel more confident and it's just the natural process, you know, we all go through that, so you will be fine.

Thank you to hear that. I'm glad to hear that, yes. Let's see. OK, so now you've been here for two months, right? Yeah, well, time flies. Time. Flies. I cannot believe it either. So what would you say are the most interesting things you're finding in your daily work? What surprised me most was the realization of how important and high level the work actually is. So as a law student, you study European agencies for years, you learn about the General Court, the Court of Justice, and you feel like there is so far away from you. You know that, OK, it's something that will never that I will never reach, let's say.

But suddenly you find yourself working on matters that actually many times can end up before those courts. I mean, talking about the legal department where I work. So it's both surprising and also incredibly motivating. So I wanted to to really to really see how it works. Like in practice, you know, so as a law student, you always study the case law, especially from the Court of Justice and, and OK, you just study like what's written there.

And you're like, OK, I will learn it. But here, like we're kind of making it, you know, like so you become part of something that it's really bigger than you that really has an impact on, on the real world, you know, because that's that's the issue when you study law, you feel it like something that it's pretty far away from you.

But when, when you start working, you realize, OK, these things are real. Like people just are really, yeah, are really affected by, by, by that. Yes, I, I think I get you. Like when you're at the university, everything seems so far, kind of right because you have the books in front of you, you have the professor in front of you who tells you about all these experiences, but you haven't had the chance yet to live those experience.

Yeah. So, yes, and that the CPVO it's not just leaving the experience that would be anyway that anyways the case when you work, but it's leaving like a very like the best kind of experience, you know. So, yeah, sometimes I, I still can't, I cannot believe that I'm here, you know, and I, I hope this will get better through, through the year. But at the same time, I like it because it's a surprise every day, you know?

So, yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know if surprise is the right word because of course when I arrived here, I, I, I, I knew what more or less what we were doing. But when when you find yourself into the like the real situation, then it's different. Of course, I mean, if I think when I came here or when I started working with this side, one thing is what you have in your mind and what you are used to do in your comfort zone. And and whole different thing is to be in an agency, for example. And then you have to adapt to what they need, and you need to adapt to the audience, and you need to adapt what the dynamics of the unit are.

So it requires also different parts of you, you know? Yeah. Also, you are in communication, so you also have to adapt to like the contents because you've never really studied them. So this must be like a challenge more for you, you know. Yes, well, now I'm used to. Yeah, now, yes, but in the beginning.

Of course, when I came because it took me a while to actually get the death of the matters here, you know, like you understand the, the message, but the work that is behind the mission and what our colleagues do to me, it took me some time, you know. It's very technical, but. It is very technical and it's just not about, you know, like prime variety rights. It's about the impact it has on breeders. Like there are people who are benefiting a lot about this protection.

And I believe it's important now that we're talking about communication, for example, to be able to communicate this in an easy way for people to understand, but also so that breeders can understand the importance of what the agency is doing. Yeah, I completely agree. But I think that also the general public should be be made aware of the impact that is that's because, of course, like intellectual property in general, and this is something I love about it, is that we can really like change lives because you create something and then you you are like, your effort is recognized. And this is very important.

This encourages innovation. But at the same time, this has a even more important impact on the general public that just does not realize it. But when you start working for agency, European agencies that deal with it every day, then, yeah, it gives you a very different perspective, I think. So thank you for your work, because I think communication is crucial. Thank you.

I will say legal is fundamental for sure, but thank you. Yes, for sure. I believe we want more people and more people to know about this. And it's a challenge, but the unit and the agency has taken the challenge little by little, yes. So talking about challenges, I don't know if you would like to share any challenges that you've encountered so far in your daily tasks as well or even in your life here as you want to share and how did you handle them? OK, I I am still handling them, I mean every day because especially at the beginning, but it's normal. I know it's normal.

Even there is more things can seem like a challenge, but then it's also nice to see how is this becomes less of a challenge day by day. So, for example, for me, getting used with the tools of the office, well, it has been pretty, pretty difficult because of course you start working with people that have been using these tools for years and for them it's very automatic, you know, so, but for me, like, it takes a lot of, a lot more of, of time.

And so sometimes I feel like, OK, I, I have to hurry up, you know, I have to, to learn these quickly and, and stuff. But then I realized that, like, things have already been proven, you know, so it's not that much of a challenge anymore. So yeah. And then of course, like, it's my very first job experience in the legal sector and such niche of intellectual property laws. So it's about really learning the subject matter. So I am studying.

I mean, I'm studying the content itself and then I'm learning from scratch all the practical implications of like drafting, drafting documents, helping with legal opinions. I am doing a lot of PowerPoints right now for many presentations that we have. But of course, while I, for example, while I'm doing a PowerPoint, I, I have to study what, what, what the content is. So everything even like the smallest things are, are teaching me a lot.

But I know that like it's just the beginning of a long journey. So, so it's fine. Sometimes I feel a little bit overwhelmed, but I know it like I have to be patient a little bit. And the best part is that I'm not alone in this process. So if I have any doubt, all my colleagues are there to help me and within the legal department, my supervisor, of course. But even the end of unit monster that I think you have already interviewed like she's like she's she's very proactive and she really wants to help.

And this is the same for all my colleagues. So and also with the other trainee that you you interviewed too. So yeah, that's the that's the best part. Yes, I guess. Of course it is overwhelming. I mean, it's all new. Like the brain and the body needs to process all of it and all of it at once is just insane.

So you do need to go step by step and what you said about feeling supported in the process, in my opinion, is the most important thing you know. It's also true that I I am learning also to ask for help. You know good because. It's true that here like if you ask, guidance will always be given. So that's, that's really good.

But sometimes you are afraid, you know, to say, OK, I I need support. But this is this is what really makes a difference because it makes you more efficient or accurate. You learn faster. So yeah. Yes, for sure, many people will identify with that because we need sometimes the we have the urge to prove ourselves and to prove everybody that we know how to handle things Yes, and maybe it takes 3 hours, something that could have taken 15 minutes yes, to ask for guidance.

So that's good for you and I'm very happy. You just realize this this fast, you know, because asking question is, is. Very important also, especially when you manage a very high level of responsibility, because this is like the not like the amazing part of of this job, but at the same time, what used and still scares me a little bit.

So handling this, it's a old journey, you know, But I think that if you stay curious, you take notes, you ask for help, and you try to learn as much as possible for from any kind of task you have, then this really makes the difference, Yeah. Good. And it related with what we are discussing here. So what do you think this experience may? In which ways do you think it will benefit you long term or for your future?

Yeah. So first of all, as we were discussing, I'm learning how to work effectively within a team and well, in my case, I'm also learning how a legal department actually functions inside a European agency, so I've gained A clearer understanding of how different units interact. Support one one another. So like there's the technical part of this and of course all the contents that I'm learning and the drafting skills that I hope to keep developing the all the all year long and that I really want to develop and also like my legal research skills that that really have to develop. But I am here also for that, but I'm also developing a very, I think very strong interpersonal skills. So here you work with people

from very diverse backgrounds and also diverse cultures because we are like, there are so many nationalities involved and also like with crazy professional experiences behind them. So what I'm learning is to interact with like without feeling that I'm not at the same level than the others, you know, because sometimes you feel a little bit overwhelmed when you are surrounded by, by, by like very true experts in the area you, you like or.

So the point is learning to see myself at eye level with them, you know, And so I know that I have a lot to learn, but I don't have to feel intimidated, you know, And this is something that I think will help me throughout my old career. So this is just the beginning. But they also started from from zero at some point. So these mindset really helps me grow. And, and so, yeah, I'm, I'm dealing with that, but I think this is making me grow a lot.

And of course, I, I, I see it as a crazy opportunity every day. You know, you have lunch with the person that wrote the book that you studied and no, it can't be. And you're there and you realize that they're humans too. And and and. Yeah, yes. Not to idealize the experience, but grounded grounding it a little bit and feel that it's doable for you and you can be part of it for sure. Yeah, that's the point.

Like being able to realize that you are part of it. You are part of something bigger than you. That, and sometimes this could scare you, but being part of something bigger makes you grow too. And. Yes, for sure. I mean, that's the point, right? To be able to be surrounded by people who can make you better and who can challenge you in healthy ways. Yeah, that's the point.

Like, yeah, you're completely right. It's about challenging yourself every day, but in a good way. So yeah, it's a very, very good resume, I think. Yes, yes. And I agree with you. It's beautiful to to be in an environment with different nationalities for sure. If you enjoy this type of energy, you can grow a lot because cultures are different.

So you if you are, if you come here with the curiosity you mentioned before. Yeah. Which is a key factor for growth and a key factor to get the best out of any experience. You for sure are going to have a really good trajectory. Yeah, I think a curious mindset, it's the basis for, well, for everything in life, but for this experience in particular, because it's true that facing also cultural differences is a challenge.

So as a challenge, it has like positive aspects but also negative ones. And it's true that, for example, working in English could be a challenge, like is a challenge too. It's not our mother tongue, but yeah, we're working in English with the very, with a very, very specific terms and we are learning it every day.

And then you speak English with some colleagues and you speak Italian like I speak Italians with others and then some Spanish. And then you call your mum and you speak Italian again. And then you do French classes because you are in France and you have to learn French. So it's a challenge. It's a challenge, but it's also reaching me a lot. But like we have to be honest sometimes it's it's very tiring. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed and you feel like it's too much to handle.

But in the end you handle it so. Yes, and it's part of the process because I remember when I came here, my brain exploded many times in a week just for the languages, you know, like just for having to think in one language, talk in a different language. And then you, you experience things differently kind of. I I feel when you are speaking and living by different languages for yourself, it's not the same when you are using your mother tongue and we are not the same person. Either.

Not because we pretend, but because we don't have maybe the the vocabulary to express everything. And then also the technical concept that you have to deal with in a different language, which for legal, I guess it has to be a huge it. Must be a huge yes, yes, it is. Because also like I studied in Italian, you know, like I did an Erasmus experience, but it's not the same.

So and then my master was in English, but you know, it's like one year compared with over 5. So yeah, yeah, this, this is a challenge, yes. But listen, here we are. Yes, we are even doing a podcast now in English so. Yeah, that's crazy. Yeah, it was. I was just thinking about it. Yes. Yeah. A Spanish girl and then Italian doing an English podcast in LJ. Yeah, yeah, that's life.

What is life that's? Europe, you know, this is what Europe like, but exactly. But you know, like I, I love to hear international people I can feel relate related to, you know, like life right now for us is like that. You need to be open minded and be open to the world and to what the world has to offer to you, you know?

Yeah, yeah. OK. So I mean, we've been going through the experience here in NJ, the experience here at CPVO, daily challenges, daily tasks, I don't know, yes, in general. So from your position now, OK, because it's been two months, but I'm assuming and I know it's been 2 very intense months already.

What would you advice or what will you tell to someone who wants to apply for a train ship here actually? OK, well, I've already kind of answered this question. First of all, I would definitely recommend to apply it. I know the selection process, it's it's not an easy one, but you can make it because I am here.

So you know, and if you have the chance to really leave this experience, leave it fully. So like really delve into the positive and negative aspects of it in in the meaning that as we said, it's a challenge. So embrace it as a challenge. And then like, this is just the beginning of my experience. So I don't know like if my position about it will change during these months, but I don't think so.

I think it will make you grow a lot. Of course, in the meantime, ask for help. Do not be ashamed of saying that you are tired. Like like confess to yourself that it's fine. You don't have to do everything immediately because this is something that I am still trying to process, you know, because I'm here sometimes I cannot realize still I cannot realize that I'm here. And so I feel like I have to do many things to do them all together and that I'm like wasting time that whatever. And then I just like, this does not make me feel more productive.

But on the other way round, it makes me feel just overwhelmed. So take your time. This is something that I I keep saying myself every day. So I'm the first one that has to yeah, to do it. Like to really learn it. But now, now I feel that that that's the right path, you know, so for example, even during the weekends, I used to go somewhere every weekend because I had to, you know, to take advantage in France that I have to discover everything and that I have to try whatever dish and, and it's nice.

I mean, OK, but then Monday arrives, you know, and you're super tired because you, you did not give yourself the time to rest. So this is also important like when you start a new life abroad to, to like to admit that you're OK, you are abroad. You have to embrace the experience 100% and learn as much as possible, discover as much as possible, but you also have to rest and to process what's happening because I love it's happening so.

Of course, yes. And I, I agree with you. I mean, I feel the pressure now. It's very huge for everyone to show and to display that everything is fine and perfectly and you don't have any struggle. And that is the positive life experience you want to live because, but in reality, what, what does it mean to have a, a rewarding experience?

It means it's going to be challenging sometimes. And that's where the growth happens. If you have experience that is only in one extreme of the spectrum, either way is because you are not growing from it. You are not actually stopping as you are saying and being like, OK, so wait a second. All of this is happening, but how am I feeling about it? Like, it's OK to feel overwhelmed. It's OK to sometimes to feel homesick. It's OK to sometimes feel that you want to be at home, or you want to go for a walk or you want to discover. But yes, do it because you want to do it, not because you have to.

Do it. To prove something you know to yourself or to everybody to to see how much fun you're having or whatever. Because like, it's life experience and yes, living abroad, as you were mentioning is already a huge step in your journey, you know, and you're going to find so many things about yourself and that's the most rewarding part I, I think. And you find things about yourself through other people also, you know, and through being with other people different than you, with different cultures. Yeah, because you really start from zero. So when you when you, when you meet someone new in such a different environment, you, you also have to like discover yourself again and, and sometimes people perceive you in a different way and the way you

think about yourself, so. Yeah, and the way you think about yourself in the way you are, because we all have prejudices, assumptions. So it takes time for everyone, you know, to actually let down the artwork. And but that's part of the the process. And honestly, from what I got from you in this interview, I feel you are doing well. Honestly, like you're.

Going to be fine. Sometimes I do not think, oh, that I'm doing well. Yes, you're going. To be fine. And honestly, it's just part of the process. You've been here only for two months, two months. What is 2 months? It's nothing I mean. But like, I am like, OK, it's challenging, but it's like, I'm, I'm very happy to be here.

Of course, it's just the, yeah, the struggles are there. And I think in a podcast like the one that we are doing, like we have to, to, to be honest about it, you know, because I, I'm just trying to say the things that I would love to hear. Yes, of course. You don't want to hear Fantasyland, you want to hear the truth that each one is experiencing because each one has their own experience and their own truth.

So it's just a way of sharing and exchanging. And it's like for me, it's a very positive experience. Yes, of course like it. So what do you think about positive? I mean positive is because it's giving you, you know, you are learning from it and you are growing and and that's positive honestly. And there are so many inspirational models here at this video. I mean, here like all our colleagues, like staff members, like they are all amazing people. Like I really appreciate them from a personal point of view. And then they are crazy experts.

And so they are also amazing from a professional point of view. And something I, I really take as an inspiration here, it's like to, to see that it's possible to be like a very good professional and a very good person at the same time, you know, So I don't know if there's, if there's a birthday and it's someone birthday and then they, they share a cake with everyone, you know, and, and then they go back and draft their case for the Court of Justice, but. Yes, that's beautiful.

You know, and sometimes this still surprises me because some as women also you, you, you think, OK, maybe sometimes I will, I will need to get to a compromise. You know, I will need to, to, to choose between my career and my personal life. And no, here you see that it's actually possible like that we have especially like thinking about about female colleagues, they are mothers, they are super legal or whatever experts and, and yeah.

And so, so yeah, this is a a real inspiration for me and. Yeah, I'm very happy to hear that from you. And of course, we are surrounded by very beautiful human beings. And the fact that we get to see that in the workplace is very, very nice. And of course, so I don't know, I think this is the best way to the best note to end this this episode. Yes.

It I've I've had a really nice time talking to you, Sofia. Thank you very much. And. I hope this will be useful. For I hope. Someone or. I hope so too. I think we've discussed many things work related, life related as well, because what is work without? Life, right? Yeah, Yeah. We need both in any case. Yeah, I don't know if we made it right, but I wanted this conversation to to deal with both topics, so. Yes, I mean it's they are both related in any ways. If I may add one last.

Of course. Talking about being like very nice human beings and stuff. I think this is very important also for the learning experience because of course, like I've already made so many mistakes, you know, and then they tell me that, you know, like, and it's completely. Fine. But then they, they explain me that in such a way that does not make me feel like my, my work is not valued, you know, like that even my mistakes are valued.

So. And this is something that, yeah, I think it's not about being just a good professional. It's about being like, also a nice person. Like personally that no, wait, OK, it's terrible, this phrase. OK, let's make it again. But I mean, what I'm trying to say is that it's completely fine to be corrected, but the way you are corrected is also like very important because like it makes it can make you feel very demotivated or it can make you feel like, yeah, willing to learn, you know?

And so, so yeah, sorry something, but I wanted to ask. No, but for sure, like the person you are influences the way you work and the way you communicate that work. So it's that's why it's important also to to discuss these topics, I think. Yeah, because they are all integrated in the workplace. So thank you very much for this.

That's a addition to the to the podcast. And anyways, thank you very much, Sophia, for this experience with you and for having the opportunity to to discuss this together. Thank you very much. For everyone listening, whether you are interested in law, communication or plant science, remember that every seed of curiosity can grow into a meaningful career.

Find out more about our trainships at cpbo dot Europa dot EU and see you everyone in the next episode.

Episode 10: Starting a Career in the EU – Inside CPVO with Our Trainees

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