1. 13th Annual International Youth Conference - Kruševo 13th September 2015 Dr. Martine Alonso Marquis martine.alonsomarquis@humanityinaction.org https://fr.linkedin.com/in/martinealonsomarquis From Internship to Job Challenges & Opportunities

2. Perspectives of youth employment at the European Union level > 4.5 million young people (15-24 yrs) unemployed Decrease in last 2-3 years (23% in 2013, 21% today) youth unemployment still very high (more than 40% in several countries) Long-term youth unemployment has never been so high EU youth unemployment < 2x overall unemployment rate (20% compared with 9%)

3. Differences btw Member States: DE 7%, GR 50%, ES 49% Overall employment rates for young people: - 4 point btw 2008 & 2014 (from 37.3% to 32.5%) – 8 x as much as for adults 7 mio young people neither in employment nor in education or training 11% aged 18-24 are early school leavers

4. PARADOX High youth unemployment co-exists with increased difficulties in filling vacancies Existence of labour market mismatches, due to inadequate skills, limited geographic mobility or inadequate wage conditions

5. Internships: Challenges & Opportunities

6. To Do or Not to Do an Internship? Facing multiple dilemmas: while studying (finishing quickly) after graduation (lack of experience) Good way of getting professional experience? What are the downsides?

7. What is an Internship? In many EU countries: no clear definition, no legal framework Proposal for a Council recommendation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships

8. What an Internship should be? Stepping stone to the job market Educational/training experience for students to get practical skills not available through university education No direct benefits for employer – Reality: not the case

9. Generation Internship Term of the last decade Germany: “Generation Praktikum”

10. Who are they? Age category (Generations X-Y-Z) Higher education Enter job market at times of economic crisis Many internships before full employment Unpaid or low remuneration Perception: more work experience = easier job market integration

11. Downsides of Internships Study: “Generation Internship - The Impact of Internships on Early Labour Market Performance” by Annette Harms, University of Lausanne Grievances of highly educated university graduates Result of study: Graduates who undertake internships have greater difficulties in transitioning to job market Negative perception of employers

12. Doing an Internship Ideally: during your studies If more than one: experience abroad (for non- EU youth > internship experience in the EU?) Avoid internships after graduation

13. Strategies to your Dream Job

14. 70 years of life = 23 years sleeping 16 years working Yet, people spend more time planning their holidays than they do planning their career.

15. High Achievers are people who: Know their strengths Spend time working on action plans Implement these plans

16. You Need a Plan “Begin with the end in mind.” Stephen Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

17. 1. Establishing what you want

18. Career Satisfaction VALUES INTERESTSSKILLSVALUES

19. Skills Fields of Interest Salary & Level of Responsibility Geography People/Colleagues Values Working Conditions Dream Job Compass

20. 2. Exploring Career Opportunities

21. Purpose: screen careers BEFORE you consider taking this path. You can also screen the jobs, people, and work place With whom? ONLY do informational interviews with people actually doing the work that interests you as a potential job Once you have a list of names you prepare questions Informational interviewing typically last for 45 min – 1hr Informational Interviewing

22. This is critical in order to access the hidden job- market Research, NOT job Search It is a short interview to answer your most critical questions: Entry to the field, rewards, pitfalls & names of other players/contacts in the sector Informational Interviewing

23. Examples of Questions Name some typical tasks you perform during a working week? What specific skills and qualifications are required to do this job well? What is the best way to enter your organisation or sector? Future thematic trends in your field of work?

24. Mention your Name & reason for calling Ask for a face to face of about 15 minutes (if they prefer to phone, then say: “I would appreciate getting a sense for your environment.”) Have specific questions and always ask for the name/number of another contact (ask them to call in advance). Process

25. 3. Mastering the Art of Networking

26. Job Search Methods (EU countries) Job Ads: 8 % Search firms: 5% Job boards: 5 % Direct contact: 2 % Career fairs: 2 % Government: 2 % Other: 2 % Networking: 80 %

27. Why is Networking so important? Most people get their jobs through other people The ability to create and maintain a network is one of today’s key competencies for successful career development

28. The Art of Networking Make it a goal to expand your network A good network is made of many loose ties rather than a few strong bonds

29. Follow-Up 95% of people do not follow-up with contacts from networking events… belong to the 5% Email the following day referring to something you spoke about If you see an article that could be interesting to your contact, send this to him/her with a friendly note Invite your contact to an interesting event, cocktail, reception that you hear of

30. Enhancing your CV Tailoring your Cover Letters Mastering the Art of Networking Achieving Mobility 4. Filling your European Employability Toolbox

31. Conclusion Need to develop University Career Centers Make sure future graduates in Europe enhance their EU employability tool box Internships: a tool in your box (use smartly) Need for EU legislation on internship frameworks (need for action, mobilization)

32. Questions? martine.alonsomarquis@humanityinaction.org