The event, organised in association with Aviva, was hosted by newly-elected Dutch MEP Jeroen Lenaers, who himself has served under an MEP, identifying three key factors that define a good assistant: "knowledge, skills and networking".
"What is an assistant?," asked Lenaers, adding that the role can entail anything from "Being a personal slave to a chief executive policy adviser," depending on the MEP themselves.
"MEPs do not have the time to read everything that passes through their office" - Jeroen Lenaers
"You must know you languages and you must know more than your boss," he added, underlining that, "MEPs do not have the time to read everything that passes through their office", and, as such, rely on their assistants to absorb and collate data on their behalf.
Aviva's head of EU and international public policy Paul Novelle gave a short opening statement where he outlined the insurance giant's role as one of the world's largest institutional investors.
"We pride ourselves at the company in being an organisation that supports and works with policymakers… in fact we actually have campaigned for legislation on issues such as transparency of large companies activities, in particular, to make sure that larger companies disclose their impacts on the environment and society," he stressed.
"It is a great job being an assistant and you can have a big influence if your MEP trusts you, and your MEP should trust you" - Jan Huitema
Another former assistant who was elected to parliament during the last European elections was Jan Huitema, who told attendees that "The office of an MEP is like a small company. You must ask yourself 'What is the goal of your MEP?' 'When is our time considered a success?'"
Huitema added, "It is a great job being an assistant and you can have a big influence if your MEP trusts you, and your MEP should trust you. They should not have to check your spelling."
"We pride ourselves at the company in being an organisation that supports and works with policymakers" - Paul Novelle
The Dutch MEP echoed Lenaers' comments on the importance of forming networks, highlighting the significance of Brussels' nightlife as a means for achieving this. "Fifty per cent of your networking will occur in Place Luxembourg and you should tell your MEP the gossip you hear".
A member of digital agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes' cabinet, but speaking in a personal capacity, Magnus Norman highlighted the importance of the role of MEP assistants, saying "you will be legislating for 500 million citizens".
Norman, said that the role of MEP assistant was a "unique position - it can be a lot of fun, but you can also change Europe and the world. One amendment from your member can make this happen."
"You can't do this without your MEP and your MEP can't do this without you," he stressed.
"Grow your network - meet people from different sectors, lobbyists, commission people, any expert at any given time" - Magnus Norman
"There is no standard answer on how you can impact on policy," he said, but urged assistants to "Grow your network - meet people from different sectors, lobbyists, commission people, any expert at any given time.
"Do not spend all your time in front of the computer. Acquire external input from all kinds of stakeholders."
For Norman, however, the role of the EU's executive was crucial. "It is impossible to do your job without the technical expertise of the European commission," he stressed.
"Journalists are interested in conflict and consequences. Give people cause and effect, something short and punchy that grabs their attention" - Brian Johnson
Parliament Magazine managing editor Brian Johnson focused his comments on MEPs' and assistants' relationship with the press, saying, "Brussels has a big press corps - one of the biggest in the world - and they want stories."
Johnson urged assistants to "Think about what your MEPs want to say" and to try and combine this with an "understanding of what people want". "There is no such thing as a boring story," he added, "but it might just be that almost no one cares".
"Conflict sells stories," he said, adding that "journalists are interested in conflict and consequences. Give people cause and effect, something short and punchy that grabs their attention."
Johnson also advised MEP assistants to "get out and talk to people".