Internships with the European Union Commission

See our full list of internships in Brussels

The EU Commission provides fully structured internships, aka "stagiaire" positions for suitably qualified people across its large range of functions. The EUC takes in 600 stagiaires twice a year. Each group does a five month tour of duty. http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/developing-the-next-generation-of-talent/65002.aspx

Overview

The intention of the internship program is to provide a professionally useful role for trainees which will give both experience and exposure to young graduates. Feedback from interns suggests that's exactly what these internships do, and many have provided very positive reports of their experiences as interns.

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/gap-year/what-to-expect-on-a-stagiaire-in-brussels-411861.html

The lifestyle could be worse, too. The opportunities for travel and a good look at Europe are excellent. Stagiaires travel with their work, and there are definitely worse places to live than the heart of the EU administrative circuit. The stagiaires jobs give a healthy, and more importantly, realistic taste of the international career market at its upper professional levels. That in itself is valuable orientation for a career which may go around the world. Stagiaires can create their first professional networks, and make friends across Europe.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/style/30iht-astage.3.16512027.html

Unusually for public sector internships, the EU stagiaire jobs are extremely popular. Normally, there's a distinct difference in interest levels between corporate and public sector internships. All major European corporations offer some form of internship, so it's fair to say the popularity of the EUC internships has been achieved against tough competition.

The broad appeal stems from the wide range of possible jobs, and the obvious relevance of the internships to people's career needs. The internships also cover a unique and important role in international studies and European affairs. They represent a quite unparalleled opportunity.

It's looking like another reason for the popularity of the EUC internships is that they deliver a useful depth and variety of options. Arguably, modern graduates, their career tracks and their likely roles over the next 40 years of their working lives have long since outgrown the old single track internships. One of the most interesting points about the stagiaire positions is that they're actually a class of internships, as distinct from a narrow range limited by definitions.

Training issues: What an EUC internship can do for you

The internships are above all providing an important training facility. In that sense they deliver very effectively on their stated intentions. The training areas addressed by the internships aren't really within the purely academic training sphere.

Any pro trainer will tell you that personal experience is the by far most effective training method. People definitely do learn best by direct exposure, handling problems and working with issues. Trainers provide guidance and information, but professional knowledge bases, environmental awareness and competencies have to be built.

In the areas covered by the stagiaire jobs, postgraduates, qualified and talented as they are, receive this vital exposure to their fields. This is the work that their academic experience can't give them. Political science in practice is quite different from political science in theory. Economics is a social dynamic, with daily issues, and those issues have their own environments.

For many graduates, the EUC internships represent an extremely important opportunity in terms of their career progression. At entry level in some disciplines, getting the required practical experience and background knowledge can be very difficult.

For those seeking to start an international career, the internships are definite career assets. These are the classic top level public sector internships, with a good reputation. For job seekers, a work history containing an EU internship has many useful applications in real world terms for showing unique professional skills, training and experience.

As you can see from the official EUC information, there are quite a few opportunities to take advantage of the training programs:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=1292&lang=en

EU Member states: See this link for national training requirements:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=444&lang=en

Paid traineeships: 180 paid traineeships are offered by the EUC in two 5 month tiers, with 90 trainees in each group:

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=1285&lang=en

Training programmes for national officials: A special EUC training program is offered for officials of national or regional governments or diplomatic officials. The programme is also available for citizens of states seeking EU accession. Note: This programme is distinct from other traineeships. It's a potentially very valuable career asset for those in the public sector, with a lot of practical professional applications for those working in government.

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=1287&lang=en

Important: For citizens of states currently seeking EU accession traineeships are limited to national availability only.

Applications

Applying for the internships is easy and you can apply online, but there are quite a few rules. The EUC has provided a document (current update 2006) setting out the basic requirements for eligibility for these positions:

http://ec.europa.eu/stages/rules/rules_en.pdf

This is a broad summary of applicant requirements:

• Postgraduates with first or second degree honors.
• Under 31 years of age
• Speak English or French and one other European language. (Use standard EU language proficiency ratings as a guide. Note that the working languages for the EU are English, French and German.)
• Hold a relevant degree for placement with an EU agency.
• Any eligible person in the EEA may apply for internships.
• Applications may be made each year, unless you've received formal notification of a placement related to a prior application.
• Internships are subject to the conditions of employment.

Selection

Successful candidates are entered into the EU Blue Book, which is used by the EU like a Government Gazette for placements. Individual placement is made based on availability and agency discretion. After notification, it's advised that successful applicants contact the agencies in their fields of interest to receive guidance about possible internships.

Conditions of employment

Conditions vary considerably for stagiaires in their various EU roles. Interns are effectively working for contractors in return for training. That doesn't necessarily mean payment, although many positions do pay quite well.

Working in other countries

Inevitably, it's possible that interns may have to work in another country. The EU position simplifies the bureaucratic part of this issue. However, it's strongly advised to make preparations in advance and be ready to make the move beforehand. Intending stagiaires should research places of employment and scout out their personal requirements beforehand.

The fun side of being a stagiaire

Get enough young people in a workplace group, and you have the makings of an anything but dull job. Stagiaires have been quick to see the possibilities of their internships, and have set up their own Facebook and party arrangements.

http://ecstagecommunications.wordpress.com/live-as-an-ec-stagiare/parties/

You may even have to force yourself to go to Paris and enjoy the place. Try not to take it personally.

http://ecstagecommunications.wordpress.com/live-as-an-ec-stagiare/parties/

There are other activities coming up all the time:

http://ecstagecommunications.wordpress.com/live-as-an-ec-stagiare/activities/
http://ecstagecommunications.wordpress.com/live-as-an-ec-stagiare/get-around/

If you want to get an interesting and rewarding job, see Europe, and have as much fun as you can find, try being a stagiaire.