This presentation provides you with some tips when applying to ESA as a 'Young Graduate Trainee' (YGT). The YGT is high-calibre programme lasts for one year and gives successful applicants an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the development and operation of space missions. As a Graduate Trainee, you’ll take on a responsible role in supporting a project, and benefit from the expertise of an ESA mentor. Also visit our: - website: http://be-space.eu/ - linkedin group and page

1. YGT Applications


2. beSPACE
“Creating opportunities for young
space professionals & students in
Belgium to get to know each other
and become part of a network of likeminded people.”

3. Why YGTs Are Awesome
 Great first step
 Jumping board to industry or academic research
afterwards / strong reference
 Particular perspective and insights from working in an
international organisation
 Excellent experience / personal development
 Network

4. Before the YGT: Competitive
Advantages
 Internships (international organisations, industry)
 Education (languages)
 Interest in space
 Multinational & Multidisciplinary

5. Early Start for Applications
 Be ready for the publication of the bulk of YGT
opportunities mid-November

http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Young_Graduate_Trainee_Opportunit
;

http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Young_Graduate_Trainees

Additional opportunities may arise throughout the year but far less, some of
which are republications of November YGTs where they did not select anyone
for yet, or left over budgets became available
 Gather recommendations before you actually need them

6. YGT Application Preparation
 Tailor made CV
 Tailor made cover letter
 Feedback
 References
 Deadline bulk positions mid December 2013
There are many excellent candidates so every tiny little detail matters

7. The Job List
 Read them carefully
 Pick one you like
 Think about what you want but also what recruiters might
want

8. CV
 Precision (e.g. languages in EU assessment)
 Honesty (e.g. languages)
 Keep it simple
 Keep it short
 Keep it structured
 Lay-out

9. Cover Letter

Start from scratch

Explain relevant CV points in cover letter – What sound trivial for
you might not be so for your recruiter

Do not underestimate yourself

Do not overestimate yourself

Motivation for YGT

Supreme attention to language

10. Feedback
 Feedback from the right people on your cover letter and CV
 Experienced ESA staff/industry/academia
 Language experts

11. ESA Application Form

Detail, detail, detail

References (BELSPO, BHRS, delegations, ESA, EU,
international organisations, industry, academia)






Choice of references depending on the position
Ask early enough
Aim high enough
Ask someone you actually know and knows you
Ask someone they may actually call
Recommendation letters

12. Phone Interview
 Intermediate step towards short list for the interview
 ESA provides information on the position
 ESA provides information on the interview
 ESA asks you about your background, expectations for the
position, probing technical understanding (e.g. density of
Mars atmosphere, specific impulse launchers)

13. So You Got Shortlisted…
 Only 3-5 people are invited
 You already won
 Opportunity to get the application experience in the
interview
 They know you
 ‘Reserve lists’ for ad hoc YGT positions

14. Interview

It is not an examination
but

Presentation is always key

Preparation is always key
ESA corporate structure
ESA programmes
ESA general figures and information
Discipline and function related background information and
homework

15. Interview
“It is not an examination…”
“…It is worse”

16. Interview
 Put your CV and cover letter in context, paint a story
 In any case they will ask to you to present yourself: it is
basic but indispensible
 Interviews mostly in English; In Paris they will at least test
your French

17. Interview
 Prepare yourself to do on the spot calculations for
engineering and scientific YGTs
 Written essay test possible



Contract management questions
ESA-EU relations
ESA corporate bodies
 Check job websites for tips: e.g. vacature.be

18. What Can You Do for ESA?
 Prepare yourself for this question
 Good answer demonstrates motivation, ambition and
preparation for starting the job

19. What Can ESA Do for You?
 Prepare yourself for this question
 Long term personal vision


Does not need to be fixed
Ambition
 Short tem objectives

20. YGT Experience
 Relationship with your supervisor
 Relation with your entire chain of command
 Take initiative
 YGT extensions possible (in particular in HQ)
 Think about which steps to take after YGT

21. ESA Alternatives

Belgian National Traineeships to ESA:

http://www.belspo.be/belspo/space/Training_ESA_nl.stm;

http://www.belspo.be/belspo/space/doc/TraineeProgr/ESA_NTP.pdf

ESA Internships (unsolicited applications)

ESA PhD research

ESA Post-doc research

ESA International research fellows (for ESA cooperating states)

22. Industry Alternatives

SES Astra Associate Programme:



Siemens Graduate Program:

http://www.ses.com/4655295/interships-and-graduates
http://www.siemens.com/jobs/en/graduates/
EADS Astrium PROGRESS:

GKN Graduate Programme

http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/work-for-eads/Early-Careers/progress.html
http://www.gkn.com/aerospace/c
areers/careers-andopportunities/GraduateSSTL Graduate Development
programme/Pages/TheProgramme:
benefits.aspx

http://www.sstl.co.uk/Careers/Graduate-Development-Programme
 Thales:



http://ukgrads.thalesgroup.com/gr
aduate-programmes.aspx

23. Industry Alternatives
 Rolls Royce graduate
programme
 AGCO
 BAE
 Airbus
 Bentley Motors
 Bombardier
 Caterpillar
 Daimler
 …

24. Institutional Alternatives
 CNES: Européens non-Français (CNES staff for limited
duration contract of 18 months)
 NASA

25. PhD
 FWO
 IWT
 FRS-FNRS
 EU grants including FP7 project funding

26. International Alternatives

United Nations YPP:

https://careers.un.org/lbw/ho
me.aspx?viewtype=NCE
 EUROCONTROL
 IAEA

UNCOPUOS
 CERN

ITU
 SSPI

ICAO

ECAC
 ….

27. EU Institutions Alternatives

Blue Book Traineeships at European Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/stages/index_en.htm

Committee of the Regions

Council of the European Union

Court of Justice of the European Union

European Central Bank

European Court of Auditors

28. EU Institutions Alternatives

European Economic and Social Committee

European External Action Service

European Investment Bank

European Ombudsman

European Parliament
http://europa.eu/about-eu/working-euinstitutions/graduates/index_en.htm#1

29. EU Institutions Alternatives
 Decentralised Agencies (e.g. GSA, EUSC, EASA)

http://europa.eu/abouteu/agencies/regulatory_agencies_bodies/index_en.htm
 Executive Agencies (e.g. ERC Executive Agency and REA)

http://europa.eu/about-eu/agencies/executive_agencies/index_en.htm

30. Thank you for your attention
More info: http://be-space.eu/