Elena Laidler-Zettelmeyer, M.A., Class of 2012

After finishing my undergraduate studies in Germany I did internships with a member of the European Parliament in Brussels, the regional representation of the European Commission in Bonn and a member of the German Parliament in Berlin. I had already been interested in political sciences in general, with a particular interest in international politics, and it became clear to me quite quickly that I wanted to do a master’s degree in International Relations.

It was by chance that I learned about the American Graduate School in Paris and since I had studied French in high school in Germany, the dual master’s program from AGS and Université Paris-Sud was the perfect fit for me. Apart from the interesting academic program that AGS was offering, I loved the idea of studying international relations in a truly international environment and being able to further improve both my English and French language skills.

I very much enjoyed my studying experience at AGS. The classes were small, which I was absolutely not used to, as typical university lectures at a German university often comprise several hundred people. The professors at AGS were always available to answer questions and further elaborate on specific topics, which made the two years at AGS an intense but rewarding studying experience. My time at AGS and in Paris was incredibly life-enriching and I’m glad that I got the opportunity to study abroad and make a lot of wonderful friends.

After finishing my master’s degree in June 2012, I stayed in Paris a little longer to do an internship at the European Union Institute for Security Studies and to occupy a few temporary jobs, one of which was a maternity leave cover as Academic Coordinator at AGS. In total, I spent three and a half wonderful years in Paris.

In November 2013 I moved to Berlin to work for a member of the German parliament as a research associate and political adviser. He is a member of the finance committee and I was working as research associate to support him and to prepare his work for the finance committee. This meant being always up-to-date with current affairs at the national as well as European level regarding economic and financial policy, preparing documents and presentations, writing speeches to be given at the German parliament as well as meeting with representatives from the financial sector. I very much enjoyed this job because it gave me the opportunity to indirectly participate in the legislation process and to be very close to where German politics happen.

With the legislative term of the German parliament coming to an end in September 2017, I changed positions and started working as Vice-President for Government Relations for the German Derivatives Association, the industry representative body for the 15 leading issuers of structured financial products in Germany. I’m responsible for their political communication and the monitoring of the legislative processes in Germany and at the EU level. In addition, I’m monitoring several tax issues regarding structured products that are important for our member banks as well as private investors.

Doing my master’s program at AGS has been very beneficial for my career and professional advancement. Studying abroad and putting yourself in an unfamiliar environment is always a challenge and allows you to grow and develop. In addition to gaining a degree in International Relations and a French degree in Strategic Negotiations I was able to improve my language, communication and intercultural skills and get a more diversified perspective on political and societal issues.