Political scientists have long been interested in the ambitions and career goals of politicians. Why do they run for the offices they do and how does their current posting fit into a fuller picture of their careers? The European Parliament makes for an interesting case for consideration, as the European level does not necessarily fit into the neat hierarchies that one usually associates with climbing the political ladder. This lecture presents a first cut at the question of career ambition in the European Parliament, offering the professionalization of the EP as a legislature, as well as other personal and political factors gathered from interviews with MEPs, as potential explanations for career pathways to, and through, the European Parliament.