Master of European Politics and Policies (MEPP)
A "roadmepp" to jobs
Following the MEPP-programme has led our students to interesting careers! Look here to see which pathways lay ahead of you, when finishing this one-year intensive experience in Leuven! We are sure you will find out that our graduates receive the training necessary for a successful professional realization in a number of professional areas.
| What are alumni doing? | Everybody most wanted ... An internship ! | Get linked to jobs |
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I. What are Alumni doing ?
The graphics below are based on a questionnaire held in spring 2008 from the alumni of the academic years 2003 till 2007.
Employment Rate MEPP Alumni
From the former MEPP students 86,4 % is employed full time and 13,6% is unemployed or studying further. 
Are the Alumni working in a MEPP related working environment?
15,8% from our employed alumni are working in the private sector, in a different field then the MEPP programme. But 84,2% is working in a related field to MEPP.
Division job types: working alumni in the MEPP field
- Working for the national administration of the home country: 37,5%
- Working In the regional administration of the home country: 6,25%
- Working for the European Union: 25%
- For example: Official assistant International cooperation, parliamentary assistant, Contract agent directorate international cooperation
- Working for an NGO: 18,75%
- Working in a related private company: 12,5%
- For example: Republic Turkey, Ramboll Management Brussels
II. Everybody most wanted ... An internship !
“How to get a traineeship?” Every year this question is raised by students, for all those searching, here is some information gathered on the subject.
A. GET STARTED
What?
A traineeship is normally understood as a period of work experience during or immediately after your studies. In French, this is often referred to as "stage", a term often used in international organisations where French is/was widely spoken, e.g. the EU institutions. Americans tend to call this an internship, or sometimes an apprenticeship or work placement.
When?
When you do a traineeship can differ significantly according to which country you are studying in. Norwegians tend to look at traineeships as a training period with your first full-time employer, maybe spending periods of time in different departments. Germans tend to distinguish between a traineeship being what you do the first couple of years you are studying, while "Diplomarbeit" is the time when you do your thesis with a company, basically getting experience while being cheap labour.
Why?
Traineeships are supposed to give you an introduction to the professional world. "Supposed to" - because you might end up in a very different professional world when you apply for a real job after your studies. So, the key to getting the most out of a traineeship is then of course to try to do it in a company where you could see yourself working afterwards, preferably even in your dream company. Trying out your dream job might not be a bad idea at all, given that it is hard to tell what it's really like without actually trying it out for a bit.
How?
You get a traineeship in much the same way as you would get a job - or anything for that matter: you have to ask for it. That means, the key is to be proactive, as employers seldom come running after you (often simply because they don't know where to find you - let InterEdu help you here). A most useful general trick is to think of how a potential employer would judge you, not knowing what your studies really mean. The lesson is that you have to try to understand your study background as broad as possible - to make it easy for him or her to hire you! That means that if you studied nationalism in the Middle East, you should be able to tell an employer (e.g. in the media sector) why you are the right candidate. How? You could for example suggest that you know all about loyalty and emotional attachment. Just make sure there is at least some truth to it - if not it will be obvious - and even more important: you might not end up not liking that traineeship after all.
Where?
Anywhere! You can ask any sort of company or institution if they need an extra hand for a period. Sometimes it is a paid position, sometimes not. This depends on whether they have a set policy on having trainees. Often it can be even more fruitful if you are the only trainee around, as you then may get to do a lot of real work, meaning that you will get to learn a lot. Try to make sure you get your traineeship somewhere you both could want to work afterwards, as well as where you also actually learn something useful from the specific job. Ideally it should also look good on your CV, and hopefully even be paid a bit...
EU traineeships
The European Union offers traineeships in all its institutions, for EU nationals as well as nationals of any other country. The biggest, oldest and most organised programme is that of the European Commission - taking some 600 trainees ("stagiaires") for the period October to February or March to July. It is a most "Europeanising" experience, and often the most intense period in most trainees' lives. Competition to get a traineeship is keen, but less so if you are from a country with fewer applicants, like a non-EU country. You formally need to have completed your first degree to get the traineeship. Most trainees are paid enough to live, and you should not expect to get a job in the same EU institution within the six months following your traineeship (there is a formal bar against this). Most trainees use the traineeship as a stepping stone into European political affairs or international affairs of their specialty or discipline.
Some useful tools
Writing European applications that impress: click here
The ultimate online EU tests. EPSO-style exam simulation and study materials.
B. Where?
- EC Traineeship Office
- Traineeships in the European Parliament
- Traineeship the Council of the EU
- Traineeships Committee of the Regions
- Traineeships European Court of Justice
- Traineeship European Central Bank
- Traineeship the European Economic and Social Committee
- Traineeships at NATO/S.H.A.P.E.
III. Get linked to jobs!
If you are still looking for a job with a “European” touch, check out these websites:
European Personnel Selection Office
All the information on career opportunities in the European institutions (including concourse announcements)
European Voice Job Offers
American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union
AmCham EU is the voice of companies of American parentage committed to Europe towards the institutions and governments of the European Union on trade, investment and competitiveness issues. We facilitate the resolution of EU-US issues that impact business and play a role in creating better understanding of EU and US positions on business matters.
Below you can click through to vacancies.
Euro Brussels
Outstanding opportunities for anyone who is looking for a job connected to the EU - in EU institutions, international organisations, consultancies, industry organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), think tanks or in academia.
Jobs-Brussels
Site listing jobs in law firms, ngo's, lobbies and EU institutions with recruitment positions in Brussels
- Consulting, research and teaching positions at universities, positions in the state administration, positions within the apparatus of political parties, and positions in the diplomatic services
- As highly specialized experts, our graduates can also work as journalists, analysts and lobbyists.
- Finally, our graduates can successfully compete in the business sector and work for private companies in positions requiring analytical skills and excellent knowledge of general developments in contemporary societies.
Or you can browse a it further with these Google links.
