Home>Sandrine Elmi Hersi, Class of 2020

01.02.2022

Sandrine Elmi Hersi, Class of 2020

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND? 

Throughout my career, I have gradually specialised in two areas in particular: Franco-European public affairs and digital regulation.  

I started my studies at Sciences Po by doing a bachelor's degree in Economics. During my bachelor’s I did two courses in European affairs, the first with Northwestern University, the second during my exchange year in London at King's College. I then chose to join the Public Policy Master's programme, specialising in Public Administration, in order to acquire a detailed understanding of the national and European political and administrative environment, as well as expertise in public law and economic policy in particular. 

During my studies and my gap year, I also had the opportunity to have several professional experiences oriented towards public affairs and digital technologies in various sectors including diplomacy, consulting, banking, ministerial cabinet and central administration. At the end of my master's degree, I worked for a year at the French National Assembly, in particular on the legal and societal issues raised by new technologies and on citizen participation in the parliamentary team of a member of parliament specialised in digital issues. 

I then joined Arcep (the French regulatory authority for electronic communications, post and press distribution) in the unit responsible for European affairs. In this position, I am co-chair of the Sustainability working group, which focuses on the environmental footprint of digital technology at BEREC (Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications) - the body that brings together European telecom regulators. Additionally, I have been involved in gender equality within the association Politiqu'elles since 2015, now as a board member.  

WHAT WERE THE MAIN STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL PATH? 

I was really lucky to have varied and extremely enriching experiences, but if I were to retain only two, I think that my internship at the Digital Economy Department of the General Directorate of Enterprises (DGE) and my position at the National Assembly were the most significant past experiences. It was during these occasions that my career plan became more established - to participate in the development and implementation of a regulation for an inclusive, ethical and sustainable digital environment. Generally speaking, the encounters I had during my internships and professional activities have deeply influenced my development as an individual as well as my relationship with work. I met people who were driven by a desire to contribute to the common good and who went beyond themselves in the service of the general interest, an ethic that I try to apply in my professional life today. 

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUR POSITION TODAY AT ARCEP AND BEREC (BODY OF EUROPEAN REGULATORS FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS)?  

Within the European affairs team of Arcep, I am mainly in charge of the coordination of the authority's work at European level on the environment, users' rights and the fight against the digital divide. Since last September, I have also been Co-Chair of the Sustainability Group within BEREC, the European body of which Arcep is a member along with the other telecom regulators of the continent. My role is to steer the activities and work of this new group, which currently brings 90 experts together from national authorities and the Commission working on the environmental challenges posed by digital technology. For example, next March we will publish a report on the role of regulators in limiting the environmental footprint of digital technology, on which BEREC has been working for several months. More concretely, what I do in a typical week includes: coordination, initiative work and setting the agenda within the Sustainability group, drafting or revising written material, meetings with counterparts or stakeholders, monitoring and analysis of my subjects and possible travel in Europe. What I like about my job is the variety of tasks and the fact that no two weeks are alike. 

WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID YOUR STUDY AT THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND MORE PARTICULARLY THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION POLICY STREAM MAKE TO THE POSITION YOU HOLD TODAY? 

Without making an exhaustive list, I would say that the School of Public Affairs allows us to emancipate ourselves in the construction of our professional career path by giving us both an exceptional academic background and an opening on the reality of the professional world. 

The training that the Master in Public Policy gives has allowed me to build up an in-depth understanding of the Franco-European administrative landscape and to acquire a certain versatility that is necessary in my job. The demanding common core of the Public Administration policy stream is unique in that it offers the possibility of mastering subjects that are essential for understanding current socio-economic and institutional issues, such as public and European law, public finance or social issues. I was also able to take advantage of the wide choice of elective courses to deepen my favourite subjects of interest, in particular relating to the digital economy. 

On the other hand, the School also offers access to a myriad of possibilities for professional and voluntary experience, which are all opportunities to develop soft skills and are extremely useful for assuming professional responsibilities. For example, with the support and encouragement of the School and the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Sciences Po, I led an entrepreneurial project in the field of Civic Tech for 18 months during my master's degree, alongside three other co-founders, an experience that taught us all a lot about project management. On the voluntary side, my position as secretary general of the School of Public Affairs Association in 2017/2018 introduced me to managing a team, partnerships and a budget. At the time, we don’t realise that these 'student' experiences can end up being very decisive for the rest of our career.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE TO GIVE A STUDENT OR A FUTURE YOUNG GRADUATE?

For current students, my advice would be to take advantage of the environment at Sciences Po and the School of Public Affairs as much as possible, to learn of course, as well as to explore various fields, expand one's network and risk failing or succeeding with new projects. Student life goes by very quickly -  the freedom and opportunities it can bring, under the right conditions, are quite rare and precious. Take advantage of it to get involved and cultivate your uniqueness!

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