EACH MARCH and October, about 700 graduates between the ages of 20 and 30 are recruited by the European Commission to gain practical experience of the day to workings of, arguably, the most powerful civil service in the world.

The trainees, known as stagiaires, are drawn from over 40 countries and are assigned to one of the 24 Directorate Generales (DGs) or ancillary services of the Commission, from economics and external relations through to the legal service, competition, financial control and agriculture, among others.

The application process begins six months prior to the stage, when over 12,000 applications are received in the central Bureau de Stage. These are then short listed to make up the Commission's "Blue Book", from which the individual DGs select their future stagiaires.

Lobbying and string pulling are accepted facets of the applications procedure. "There's a fair bit of lobbying required," says a spokesman for the European Commission's Dublin office. "A prospective stagiaire ideally needs to go to Brussels and talk to people in the area in which they are interested and sell themselves.

The different directors within the Commission really want to speak to applicants, preferably in person, `when they are considering them for posts. "You don't have a great chance if you just send in your application and sit back," the spokesman says. "You have to do a lot of work on it."

Candidates should also demonstrate an obvious interest in European affairs. One question on the application form requires applicants to list their experience in the area, whether in project work or course work. It is important that the responses represent an interest in things European," says the Commission official.

Finally, candidates are asked to list the areas in which they wish to work, in order of preference. According to the Commission, it is important that candidates use preference and not career considerations as the basis for their choice.

THE SCHEME is open to graduates from all disciplines, but the majority of successful candidates are drawn from law, economics or political science, which broadly reflects the make up of the Commission itself.

It is eye opening to find that most stagiaire speak at least three EU languages and often more. In practice, however, the working languages are French and English and sometimes one or two more, depending on the particular section of the DG or unit - one works in.

Working in the Commission is fascinating. In a body responsible for instituting, drafting and enforcing European law over 15 autonomous member states, it is very easy to feel that you are at the heart of the EU. It is possible, depending on the initiative of the stagiaire, to become involved with developing programmes or to specialise in an existing Euro related field. Many units are short staffed and a stagiaire can find himself or herself dealing with highly complex work.

Conversely, however, due to the sheer numbers on the programme, some have difficulties in obtaining basics such as phones, computers or even desks. Criticisms have also been voiced about the levels of bureaucracy and the commitment of the stage advisers, or conseillers, the individual to whom the stagiaire is assigned for the duration of the stage.

On a lighter note, every Friday and Saturday night in Brussels nightclubs buzz with different nationalities finding out about cultural similarities and differences, and whole heartedly furthering the process of European integration. The social life is dominated by parties, subsidised trips away to Strasbourg or Berlin and Eastern Europe, and national parties for charity.

The perspectives gained from working closely and making friends from all over Europe and the world ensures the stage is an unforgettable experience. When it's over, it provides a long lasting network of friends and contacts, perhaps an additional language and highly valuable experience in an ever growing area.

Many former stagiaires use the programme as a stepping stone to a career in the EU institutions, international consultancy or the growing industry in EU related lobbying or consultancy. Others return to their native countries to use their expertise in state institutions or in the private sector. Generally employment prospects are good, as employers look favourably on the experience gained.

In addition to the Commission running a stage programme, similar programmes are also run by the Council, the European Parliament and the translation service. However the main programme in terms of sheer numbers is that of the Commission.

NOT HAVING worked on the Continent prior to the stage, I was initially apprehensive at being thrown into a multi lingual, multicultural working environment. The trepidation soon wore off as my unit ("environmental and conservational questions") was at the time preparing for Council of Ministers summit.

I had no time for a honeymoon period and quickly became a part of the day to day working life.

I was encouraged by my conseiller to attend the Council and Parliament and see the operation of these bodies at first hand, in addition to being able to move freely within the Commission and see the development of new environmental and taxation legislation, areas in which I was particularly interested.

With the ever growing power and influence of the EU, especially after Maastricht, we cannot afford to be marginalised and must keep abreast with EU developments, whether positive or negative, and their implications for Ireland The stage programme provides one of the means of heightening the awareness of young people in this area and rendering them capable to deal with the brightest and best of the rest of Europe on a more even footing.