Europe • Real World

As the European Union continues to expand, so too do the opportunties for European graduates to work in the UK. In fact, The Association of Graduate Recruiters’ winter review (2007) has revealed almost a quarter of employers are now marketing their UK vacancies overseas in order ‘to recruit the best talent available’. This year, there is a predicted 16 per cent rise in vacancies, and so firms in the UK will be looking to cream off even more of the finest of Europe’s graduate crop.

It’s not just the obvious big names that are looking across the British Channel either. Alongside corporations such as KPMG and ICI, other companies offering European Graduate Schemes include Sony, Black & Decker, Philips, and Whirlpool. Apparently, one in eight EU residents is now living in the UK, and one of the reasons for this is because, after Denmark, we have the highest employment rate in Europe (74.7 per cent). We also have decent rates of pay, working and living conditions. No wonder an estimated 300,000 French citizens have opted to live in the UK, prompting President Sarzoky to lament: ‘Britain ceaselessly sucks in thousands of young French people . . . who find it easier to succeed there than at home. How shameful is it that a young person wanting to get on is obliged to leave?’

However, France’s loss is this country’s gain. And working across borders in Europe is a two-way street, with just as many opportunities for ambitious British graduates to work in France, Germany, Spain and Belgium as it is for their European counterparts to work here. In fact, if you are a high-flying graduate Europe really has become something of a career oyster – you could even get a taste of what working for the EU itself is like by joining one of its traineeships (known as ‘stages’) and seeing how the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, Court of Justice, the Social and Economic Committee, the Committee of the Regions, or the European Ombudsman tick.

There has never been a better time to be a Modern European, whether you are a British citizen wanting to experience a more continental work environment, or a citizen of another European country who wants a taste of what the UK can offer. There are also fabulous opportunities to undertake post-graduate education, both here and abroad, in order to further boost your career prospects and earning capability. This first issue of Real World Europe aims to bring you the very best information on what job, career and educational opportunities are available, both here and in mainland Europe, along with useful guides on what you need to know when living away from home, and which governing bodies and societies can offer a helping hand. Bonne Chance!

Graduate Europe Employers

Morgan Stanley	Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providi...	more
KPMG	KPMG in the UK is one of the leading firms of business advisers. W...	more

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Graduate Europe Case Studies

	Charlotte - Translator and Interpreter - Freelance Whether you are a translator or an interpreter, you are a crucial communication link that conveys a message and enables people to understand it. Therefore, you feel very useful. Producing a high quality job brings a great feeling of self-achievement, which is even more rewarding if your name appears on the piece. ... more
	Joana Goncalves - Real World Europe - Project Marine Engineer What I enjoy most is that the projects are very multidisciplinary, which gives me the chance to learn about different fields. I also travel a lot! I’ve worked in the Dominican Republic and Dubai, which is a completely unique experience. I also get a very wide experience, which allows me to progress my career in order to get chartered by the Institution of Civil Engineers. I don’t see any particular downside to what I do?which doesn’t mean it’s a perfect job, just a real job. ... more
	Geoffrey Barranco - Real World Europe - Strategic Planning Analyst I was actively looking for the concept of a European Graduate Programme ? several rotations in different countries with various projects ? when I was contacted by a Graduate Headhunting Agency. Ironically, the Wolseley French subsidiary also contacted me later in relation to an application I had sent before the recruiting process had even started. I guess that is what people call destiny! ... more
	Agata Maksym - European Graduate Programme I have learnt foreign languages since I was a little girl and I have always been passionate about travelling and discovering new cultures. At university I developed an even stronger international outlook. The growing success and popularity of CEMS MIM Programme allowed me to move to study abroad during my final year at Warsaw School of Economics. When I first moved to the Netherlands in 2004 I was planning to stay only six months. ... more