INTERNSHIPS
The Delegation of the European Commission offers a variety of
internship positions at its office in Washington, DC. The
New York Delegation, too, offers internship positions. Please
contact that Delegation directly for more information on opportunities
there. (For information on EU internships in Europe, click here.)
Internships are intended to provide college and
university students and recent graduates with the opportunity to
acquire considerable knowledge of the European Union, its institutions,
activities, laws, statistics and relations with the US. Internship
applicants may be of any nationality.
Internships at the Washington Delegation are offered
exclusively on a VOLUNTEER (unpaid) basis. Preference is given to candidates
available on a FULL TIME basis, i.e., 35-40 hours per week, Monday
through Friday.
Internships are offered three times a year in keeping with the
"semester calendar" from: September through December (Fall semester);
January through May (Spring semester); June through August (Summer
session).
Internship Application Deadlines are as follows:
Fall Semester: May 15
Spring Semester: September 15
Summer Session: February 15
All applicants will receive a response.
Applications must contain a RÉSUMÉ, a
RECENT ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT, an
APPLICATION FORM, a COVER LETTER indicating the reasons for
pursuing an internship with the European Union, and a LETTER OF
RECOMMENDATION.
Applicants may not have already benefited from previous internships,
in-service training, or employment (paid or unpaid) with any of the EU
institutions or bodies for more than six weeks.
Applications for internships at the Washington Delegation should be
sent to the INTERN COORDINATOR:
By fax: 202-429-1766
OR
By e-mail:
delegation-usa-internships@ec.europa.eu
OR
By surface mail:
Internship Coordinator
European Union
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street NW, Third Floor
Washington, DC 20037-1434.
NOTE: PLEASE INDICATE IN WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WASHINGTON DELEGATION
SECTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PERFORM YOUR INTERNSHIP:
ADMINISTRATION SECTION interns assist the Archivist/Research
Assistant with the following tasks: doing research, i.e., perusing US
Government and other websites for information of interest to the EU
Commission — e.g., the
Federal Register — regarding implementation of laws and new
regulations issued by the various departments; finding references in the
US Code and the US Code of Federal Regulations; obtaining and
filing documents regarding US antidumping and countervailing duty
investigations — including documents needed in WTO investigations and only
available from the US Department of Commerce or the US Trade
Representative's Office; updating the list of US steel investigations;
preparing reports on textile, joint ventures and antitrust notices;
preparing monthly trade data for the EU-25 Member States; and updating the
lists of US Government staff changes. It may also be necessary to assist
other sections of the Delegation by attending congressional hearings and
reporting on these.
AGRICULTURE interns should have a background in (agricultural)
economics, political science, international trade, and can expect to gain
first-hand understanding of agricultural policy and trade matters
pertaining to EU/US relations. On these topics, duties include: monitoring
of US policy and legislative developments, in-depth research work on
specific issues, participation in and reporting on conferences and
Congressional hearings, support to outreach activities conducted by
Delegation, e.g., with farm groups.
ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL SECTION (ECFIN) interns monitor
macroeconomic developments in the US, with an emphasis on quantitative
research. They are involved in the preparation of the monthly report on
the US economy and given responsibility for specific fields of interest.
Specific research projects are undertaken and meetings attended in
relation to the monetary, fiscal or labor market policies of the US.
FOOD SAFETY, HEALTH & CONSUMER AFFAIRS
interns primarily carry out in-depth research on the US in the areas of
food safety, public, plant and animal health issues and consumer
protection. They are expected to prepare reports, summaries, analyses and
graphs for presentation to Brussels officials. Interns may also be asked
to monitor and assess US legislation relating to the above areas and make
summary reports where necessary.
The
POLITICAL &
DEVELOPMENT SECTION
(PDS) offers internships to those
interested in a broad range of
US/EU policy issues, including foreign policy, development policy,
justice and home affairs and US domestic developments affecting these
issues. Interns are frequently asked to follow Congressional hearings and
to conduct research on a given subject. They may also assist in the
coordination of
grant programs for universities and think tanks, which are also a
responsibility of the section, and in other office responsibilities as
necessary. Prior training in or familiarity with US foreign policy and
other issues addressed by the section, as well as the Congressional
process, is an advantage; excellent English writing skills are a must.
The
PRESS
& PUBLIC DIPLOMACY SECTION (PPD) staff spearheads the European
Commission's outreach efforts in the United States, coordinating a wide
range of activities and information products geared toward enhancing
Americans' awareness and understanding of the EU. PPD also handles all
relations with the media throughout the US. They inform on the European
Commission’s policy positions on a broad range of issues and provides the
media with information on current developments in the European Union.
Concurrently, PPD staff monitors the US print and audiovisual media and
provides information about breaking news, political developments and
issues of interest to the European Union. The Section selects several
interns per period: two interns for
Public Inquiries and two interns who
contribute to this overall function through conducting research and
surveys on specified EU or US topics or policy areas, helping to update
the survey of US states, assisting in alliance-building with partners and
helping with coordination of events or projects as needed. In addition,
the Press Team offers its
interns the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a
fast-moving news environment. Interns are fully integrated into the Press
Team and may be given significant responsibilities in all aspects of the
Team’s activities—including helping to organize important media events
and strategies to implement them, media analysis, research support and
project coordination. The Press Team seeks dynamic, outgoing, creative
individuals with previous experience in the media field and excellent
writing, internet research and computer skills.
The
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY &
EDUCATION SECTION
(STE) provides
opportunities for dynamic individuals, capable of independent research,
with an interest in US science, technology and education policies. Interns
are asked to analyze and report on specific issues, which may require
online research, attending specialized meetings and following
congressional hearings. Interns are also integrated into other aspects of
the section's activities.
TRADE SECTION interns should have a basic knowledge of
international trade issues and will work on all aspects of EU-US trade
relations. Interns can expect to attend and report on hearings in
Congressional committees and Federal agencies, seminars organized by think
tanks and trade associations and speeches by US Government officials.
There is also the opportunity to undertake research on specific trade
issues. Interns also can expect to review daily the US press for articles
relevant to the work of the trade section, as well as the website of the
European Commission for speeches, legislative proposals and other relevant
information.
The
TRANSPORT,
ENERGY &
ENVIRONMENT
SECTION (TEE) seeks interns with a strong interest, professional
experience and/or academic competence in the transport, energy or
environment fields. TEE interns are offered a unique opportunity to work
on issues at the forefront of transatlantic relations. Combating climate
change, promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency and increasing
energy security have gained prominence on the EU-US agenda. In addition,
further liberalization of air services between Europe and the US, in
addition to aviation and maritime security, continue to be crucial areas
of cooperation. TEE interns are responsible for monitoring and assessing
legislative and regulatory developments and assisting the TEE Section with
reporting to Brussels on relevant US policy developments in these areas.
TEE interns attend and report on Congressional hearings and meetings with
EU Member States and stakeholders. They are also assigned the task of
analyzing one or two larger issues, such as biofuels policies or US state
initiatives to mitigate global warming and preparing comprehensive
reports. Excellent English communication skills, along with knowledge
and/or interest in the EU and US policymaking processes, are considered
essential.
The Internship Application available on this website cannot be used for
the European Internships. It is designed only for the Washington
Internship program.
OTHER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN THE
EUROPEAN UNION:
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TRAINEESHIPS
EUROPEAN COMMISSION INTERNSHIPS IN BRUSSELS
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TRAINEESHIPS & STUDY VISITS
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE INTERNSHIP IN BRUSSELS
EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK INTERNSHIPS
EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS INTERNSHIPS
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK TRAINEESHIPS
EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN INTERNSHIPS
EUROSTAT (EU STATISTICAL OFFICE) TRAINEESHIPS
JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE TRAINEESHIPS
OFFICE FOR HARMONIZATION IN THE INTERNAL MARKET INTERNSHIPS
Other Useful Links:
EUROPEAN PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICE
LINKS TO EU INSTITUTIONS' EMPLOYMENT WEBSITES
