Working in Europe

European Movement Ireland

3 November 2010

“…when Irish people get to Brussels, we do really well.”

Me, Green Book III, Grad Jobs in Europe Programme, 2010

What is a stage?

USA = internships, EU = stage (rhymes with “mirage”) Work placement, usually for graduates Real work experience offered Vary in length, usually 3-6 months Differing eligibility criteria Payment varies High proportion of employers now looking for stage experience for job

applications

Avenues to getting a stage

1. EU institutional stages

1. Commission, Brussels2. Parliament , Brussels3. Council , Brussels4. European Economic & Social Committee , Brussels5. Committee of the Regions, Brussels6. European Central Bank, Frankfurt7. European Ombudsman, Strasbourg8. Court of Auditors, Luxembourg9. European Court of Justice, Luxembourg10. European Investment Bank, Luxembourg

Institutional: Commission stage

Two stage intakes, summer (March) & winter (Oct) Administrative & translation stagePaid €1,066 a month15,000 applications for 1,200 positions (30 Irish)

RequirementsNeed a 1 or a 2:1Under 31 years Need ‘good working knowledge’ of German or French

Application processOnline application process, top three ‘Departments’ are identified

2. EU agency stages 23 agencies Specialised areas that have been decentralised around Europe Usually of a legal, technical or scientific nature

Lisbon, London, Crete, Valenciennes, Torino, Vienna, Alicante, Luxembourg, Stockholm, Thessaloniki, Dublin, Angers, Vigo,

Bilbao, Warsaw, Cologne, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Parma, Vilnius, The Hague, Brussels

Agency: FRA stage

Vienna, AustriaEuropean Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)Two stage intakes, summer (March) & winter (Oct) €1,000 per month

RequirementsComplete a degreeNeed English, plus one other language

Application processwww.fra.europa.eu

3. Non-institutional stages

Lobbyists, not-for-profits & communications companies Nearly every place that has an office in Brussels takes a stagiaire Less likely to be paid, but some are Can give an even greater level of responsibility & experience IBEC Europe, APCO, European Movement International, Amnesty

International and many more

4. Academic routesErasmus (Your college international or career office)Study abroad for 3-12 months, 33 countries of choiceOpen to all students, not just languagesGrants available

Leonardo da Vinci (Leargas)Paid post-grad work experience programme across EUGrants available

College of Europe (European Movement Ireland)2-3 government funded scholarships to the College of BrugesOpen to students studying politics, law, economics & European studies

Jim Dooge research medal (European Movement Ireland)

Tips for applying It’s competitive but not impossible Don’t be put off by ‘the language thing’ Never too late to learn a language Negative corollation between glamour and interest It’s harder to ignore a phone call…

CVs & cover letters Welcome to word bingo CV makes you competent, cover letter makes you human Every application is a new application Don’t be shy, but don’t lie Know what a Europass is Triple check your application Your referees are on your team

Looking for summer experience?

European Movement Ireland4 undergrad students on summer stage programmeUnpaid, travel costs covers

RequirementsMust be studying a ‘suitable’ degreeGood research skillsTeam player

Application processCV, cover letter & two referees to andrea@europeanmovement.ie

Questions?

Thank you.www.europeanmovement.ie