EU/ European Careers

According to the House of Commons library as of January 23rd, “in the period September-November 2012, 957,000 young people aged 16-24 were unemployed, up 1,000 on the previous quarter but down 82,000 on the previous year.”

Ed Price 

The unemployment rate for those aged 16-24 was 20.5%, “unchanged compared with the previous quarter and down 1.7 percentage points compared with the previous year.” Clearly, this is a very difficult job market for young people, as that age bracket includes recent university graduates. This means the process of finding a job may take longer than in better job markets, and so accordingly should be professionalised to the most precise degree possible.
In short, strong attention must be paid to both the presentation and preparation necessary for entering the current job market.

Strong advantages include a second or third language, preferably Asian, diverse experience through internships in the private and public sectors, extra-curricular activities and networks with various professional and interest groups/associations, and a strong, flexible attitude to prospective employment.

Finally, playing the long-game is important. Here, the most valuable asset any individual can offer any employer is their unique human capital, something which should be advantageously developed by young people even during the current downturn.

With regard to any of the advisory and analytical roles, it is important to have a strong handle on economic and financial issues as well as trends in politics and governance. Strong managerial skills are important in any role. Working in any parliament requires extensive knowledge on a wide variety of briefs, the ability to make very fine judgements about unfolding events and world class interpersonal skills. 

Ed Price is Parliamentary Adviser to Shadow Minister for International Development Rushanara Ali MP. He has a background in the European Parliament, where he was the London office manager for Deputy Leader of Labour in Europe Claude Moraes MEP between 2009 and 2012. As former financial journalist, Ed also written about the global maritime market for Lloyd’s List from Paris and London, where he offered analysis of international trade, energy markets and shipping finance, as well as the economics of the Eurozone crisis. Previously working for the European Commission’s Europe Direct, Edward is also a graduate of both the London School of Economics and University College London.

Ed Price will be speaking on the 12th of March at the UCL European Careers event. More information soon to follow.