Job opportunities in EU institutions outlined to GMIT business students

Business students in GMIT learned about a diverse range of jobs opportunities currently available in EU institutions at special talks delivered by the Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee and Daragh Higgins of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, in GMIT today (Tuesday 7 November).

Professor Graham Heaslip, Head of the GMIT School of Business, welcomed Minister McEntee and department delegates to the Galway campus this morning where they gave presentations on the EU and outlined jobs in the European Commission, European Parliament, European Council, Council of the European Union, European Central Bank, European Court of Auditors and others EU Institutions.

Over 200 students studying Business, Accounting, Economics and Finance attended the event hosted by the GMIT School of Business and the GMIT Careers Service. The first talk, titled ‘EU jobs and applying to the European Institutions’ was presented by Daragh Higgins, EU Jobs Campaigns Co-ordinator, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Minister Helen McEntee’s talk was titled ‘The Future of Europe’.

Minister McEntee said: “Young people in Ireland will grow up and work in the EU and it is important that their views and opinions are heard in respect of its future. The EU from 20 years ago is completely unrecognisable. It has grown from 15 to 28 member states, 19 of those countries have the same currency and we have deeper integration and a better understanding of each of other than ever before. In 20 years’ time, the EU will be different again. This morning’s engagement with students and staff has been very positive and I look forward to future engagements on the Future of Europe.”

The Minister also highlighted the important of students taking a second language as part of their degree studies, in all disciplines, if they are considering careers in EU institutions.

Professor Graham Heaslip, Head of the School of Business, said the students were delighted to hear first-hand about the range of options open to them upon graduation. “An EU career offers opportunities to work in an environment that is making a difference.”

Bridie Killoran, GMIT Careers Officer, added: “The job opportunities in the EU institutions outlined here today are open to graduates of all disciplines, not only business students.”

Sixty GMIT students and four lecturers from the School of Business will travel to four EU countries in January (2018) and visit six of the EU Institutions. The trip, supported by the office of MEP Mairead McGuinness, will take in the European Central Bank, Frankfurt; EU Parliament, Strasbourg; European Court of Auditors, Luxembourg, European Investment Bank, Luxembourg; European Court of Justice, Luxembourg; and the EU Commission in Brussels. The GMIT group will meet MEPs Mairead McGuinness, Luke Ming Flanagan and Marian Harkin, as well as European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan, and Kevin Cardiff, Ireland’s representative on the European Court of Auditors.

For further information on business degrees offered by GMIT, see: http://www.gmit.ie/business/school-business and  http://www.gmit.ie/business-humanities-and-technology/department-busine…