June 25th, 2001

A young Scots graduate got the chance of a lifetime to find out what makes Europe tick when she landed a work placement with Scottish Euro MP John Purvis recently.

Sarah Gibson (22) from Aberdeen is on a six week work placement in Mr Purvis' office in Brussels.

A graduate of St Andrews University, Sarah who attended St Margaret's in Aberdeen and St Leonard's in St Andrews, was given the opportunity to shadow Mr Purvis as he goes about his duties, breaking off briefly half-way through to attend her graduation ceremony.

During her visit she has attended committees and parliamentary sessions in the Belgian and French cities of Brussels and Strasbourg.

"Seeing the full Parliament in Session in Strasbourg was one of the most exciting experiences of my life," she said.

"I had heard criticism about the `big heave' which takes place once a month from Brussels to Strasbourg for the Parliamentary session and the bureaucracy and process which Europe entails but the way representatives of the member states converge with each other into one large unit.

"The way in which people switch easily from one language to another is impressive and the experience has confirmed my ambition to combine my interest in Scottish affairs, Europe and the media in my future career."

MEPs often employ `stagiaires' or trainees who are graduates like Sarah, university students on their year out or on the ERASMUS exchange programme studying either in Brussels or Strasbourg and working part-time in the office.

Mr Purvis is one of those who occasionally host work placements like Sarah's and he is keen to encourage young Scots to take up careers in Europe.

"Sarah is typical of many young people who visit on a placement for a taste of the European system to help them find out about careers in a multi cultural and multi lingual society," he said.

"There are a number of interesting and well paid jobs in the EU institutions providing training, with a good structure for career advancement.

"Staff can move between a whole range of Directorate-Generals from the Environment, Enterprise and the Information Society to Trade and External Relations, with a high level of responsibility given very early on in a career.

"The ideal candidate for a graduate post is someone with drive, initiative, skills in managing people and resources, and imagination."

In the European institutions the graduate 'A' grade starting salary is £ 36-£38,000 which can rise to a senior post with a salary of £67-£94,000.

There are also`B' grade posts for those with A levels or equivalent and normally with two years' work experience in internal management, personnel, computing or librarianship.

However, thousands apply for sometimes less than ten vacancies at a time and once the entry requirements are met, a candidate can wait for a number of years before being offered a job.

The Faststream scheme operated by the UK government helps British graduates to get jobs in the EU institutions in which the candidate goes through the British civil service procedure.

The European Commission is the biggest recruiter of graduates on short term stages with 600 to 700 funded placements available twice yearly and lasting five months.

For further information on careers in the European Institutions visit the Commission website www.europa.eu.int, the Parliament site www.europarl.eu.int or the UK government site www.euro-staff.gov.uk. The Commission and Parliament offices in Edinburgh and London can also provide helpful information and advice.

Press Contact:
Frances Donald Tel 01333 340 325