Where Could SEEP Take You?
What does it take to turn a socio-ecological economics degree into a career and could the century-old Austrian Chamber of Labour be the place to do it? SEEP students went to find out.
In late May, SEEP students from across three different cohorts had the opportunity to visit the Economics Department of the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK). Founded in 1920, the Chamber has over a century of history representing the interests of workers and employees across Austria. The students have been looking forward to the visit for a while, as AK is a potential future employer of SEEP graduates. Although SEEP students regularly participate in the AK-organised Young Economists Conference, this was the first time they visited the department.
The trip began with an input from two department team members, Patrick Mokre and Magdalena Maad, who gave the students an introduction to the Chamber’s history, and an inside look at the department’s structure, ongoing projects, and various ways to get involved. For those nearing the end of their studies, this was particularly useful, as the AK regularly offers employment opportunities, including internships, traineeships, and full-time positions. Several SEEP graduates are already working at the Chamber, contributing their socio-ecological economic perspectives to its work.
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session. Students asked about the department’s engagement with environmental issues, its connections with other government structures, and the details behind AK’s published research and studies. Many questions also turned to the practicalities of building a career at the AK: What should applicants highlight in their applications? Which skills are most important? How is the career ladder structured? The trip provided insights into what it actually means to work there.
The afternoon wrapped with an informal gathering on the AK terrace overlooking all of Vienna. Many thanks to the AK Economics Department for the warm invitation, and to all of the students who participated in the trip!
