Student Placement: International Affairs and Trade Policy (Washington, D.C.-based)

Who We Are 

DIGITALEUROPE is the leading trade association representing digitally transforming industries.   

We stand for a regulatory environment that enables businesses and citizens to prosper from digital technologies.  

Together with our members, we shape the industry policy positions on all relevant legislative matters and contribute to the development and implementation of relevant EU policies. Our membership represents over 45,000 businesses who operate and invest in Europe. It includes 109 corporations which are global leaders in their field of activity, as well as 41 national trade associations from across Europe.   

Join us, where diversity fuels innovation, openness breeds collaboration, and impact drives our mission forward. Discover a workplace where your ideas make a difference. 

Purpose of placement

The placement is designed to offer a learning experience for a university student interested in transatlantic policy cooperation, EU–US relations and digital trade. The focus is on developing research, analytical and communication skills in an international policy environment.

Learning objectives

During the placement, the student will: 

• Gain exposure to the functioning of a European trade association active in transatlantic relations. 

• Develop research and analytical skills on EU, US and G7 policy topics. 

• Observe how policy stakeholder engagement and advocacy are structured. 

• Improve drafting, reporting and meeting preparation skills in an international context. 

• Learn about coordination of international missions, events and institutional meetings.

Typical learning activities

• Supporting the International Affairs and Trade Policy team in Washington and Brussels with background research and document preparation. 

• Assisting with briefing material and note-taking during meetings and events (observation-based). 

• Monitoring open-source policy developments relevant to EU–US cooperation. 

• Helping prepare summaries of meetings or policy discussions under supervision. 

• Supporting learning activities linked to missions or delegations. 

(Activities remain educational in nature, with productive tasks supervised and proportionate to learning.) 

Details of training and supervision

The student will be mentored by a member of the policy team and will receive regular feedback to support learning outcomes. Work is carried out through a combination of office presence and supervised remote work. 

Opportunities to practice language skills 

The working language is English; opportunities may also exist to practice French and other EU languages through our multicultural environment.

Dates and duration

As soon as possible, 6 to 12 months (flexible, in line with university placement requirements).

Remuneration  

This is an educational student placement with no expectation of wages. 

(Any support the student receives from the sending university or scholarship programme remains separate.) 

How to apply

Send your application titled ‘Placement position – Policy support’ to the attention of Federica Tondo via this link by 14 December 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via Microsoft Teams. Second interviews to potentially include a task.