Aïda ALEM, Class of 2020

Can you tell us about your academic background?

After a scientific baccalaureate obtained at the Lycée Descartes in Rabat (Morocco), I joined the Bachelor of Arts - Political Science programme at the University of Poitiers, which had a partnership with Sciences Po Paris. After all, my dream has always been to study at Sciences Po! This multidisciplinary education perfectly prepared me for the Sciences Po entrance exam; it also allowed me to participate in an exciting academic exchange at the University of São Paulo (Brazil), as well as several internships in the fields of diplomacy and humanitarianism.
After my bachelor's degree, because I’m passionate about international relations, I chose to study for the Master's degree in International Affairs and Development at the University of Paris-Dauphine, specifically the Peace Studies major – a course specialising in conflict management and resolution, and peacebuilding. My two years of Master's studies, during which I took a year out, were enriched by my involvement in the Dauphine Model United Nations association and professional experiences in the areas that interested me, including UN organisations. Still within the framework of my Master's degree at Dauphine, an opportunity arose to take courses in language and geopolitics at the École Normale Supérieure, which inspired a very strong interest in research. This is the reason that I chose to produce a Master's thesis rather than to do an internship, even though my training so far had been geared towards employment.
I then discovered the dual Master’s degree in political science research, specialising in the Middle East and North Africa, offered by Sciences Po and INALCO (*) (the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales). The course combined linguistic and cultural specialisation with solid and diversified theoretical courses, some of which were focused on a region that I am passionate about, allowing me to develop expertise around this geographical area.

What did your years of study at the Sciences Po School of Research (formerly the Doctoral School) bring you?

My years of study at what was then still the Doctoral School brought me, more than anything else, rigour and discipline, which are crucial in the professional world. Importantly, I was able to develop adaptability, as well as a solid theoretical knowledge of, among other things, public administration operations, and the ability to quickly understand the issues around radically opposed subjects. For example, it's not every day that you follow a course on the sociology of the State with a course on minority incorporation and discrimination.
Even more importantly, my time at the Doctoral School allowed me to broaden my mind, to explore topics that I would never have had the opportunity to tackle in a different setting, to be proactive, to approach obstacles – especially professional ones – with perspective, to discover passions for subjects outside my comfort zone, to challenge myself intellectually, to develop important every-day human and professional skills – in short, to shape myself as a person!

What is your current role?

Today, I work for a local authority, the Établissement Public Territorial Paris Terres d'Envol, in Seine-Saint-Denis. I am in charge of fundraising and am therefore contractually employed by the French public sector. This may seem strange in view of my academic background, but it was my time at the Doctoral School that attracted me to several of the fields that my position now covers, such as urban planning, for example. I wanted to apply my theoretical understanding of public policy on a small scale. Working within a territory gives me insight into how different levels of action are connected and enables me to directly observe the implementation of programmes "on the ground".

What were the main stages in the construction of your career plans?

As for any Master’s student in their second year, I was apprehensive about the prospect of the end of the year and its uncertainties. I was aware that my academic journey was coming to an end. However, I asked myself a lot of questions and questioned my career plans on numerous occasions. These plans underwent many changes throughout my academic journey.
During my undergraduate studies, I was convinced that I wanted to become a diplomat and specialise in relations between Latin America and North Africa. As well as being fluent in Arabic, which is my mother tongue, I learned Spanish and Portuguese, and travelled to Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. I read, I informed myself, I did internships. However, the Master's programme made me realise that I was not necessarily destined for the field of diplomacy.
The course catalogue that was offered to me, my various internships and my research field showed me that there were many more opportunities to discover. I then decided to talk to professionals working in sectors that interested me, asking them about their careers, their positions and their recommendations. Accumulating internships and talking with professors and alumni – in short, building up your CV and creating a network – are vital when planning your career.

Would you have any advice to give to a student who wants to go into the field in which you work today?

Based on my personal experience, I would say to a student wishing to go into the public service – be it at state or territory level – or into any sector that does not seem to be directly related to research, jump in and try your luck! At Sciences Po, we are privileged to have access to excellent training that prepares us for all kinds of professional challenges. Even with little knowledge of local authorities, I was able to adapt very quickly and understand the essence of my position.
A more specific piece of advice for the Research School would be to take the time to choose your dissertation topic and to keep in mind the transition to professional life when conducting your fieldwork. If a student knows early on that they do not wish to pursue research after the two years of the Master's programme, it is important for them to choose a thesis subject that will open doors to the job market.
Finally, my last piece of advice would be, above all, to take advantage of your years of study. Sciences Po is a rich resource – it provides opportunities to be interested in everything, to question, to be curious, to be open, to engage in passionate debates, to learn and to train for life!

(*): This double degree (Sciences Po / INALCO) is no longer offered at the Research School.

Learn more

• About Master’s in Political Science, Programme in in Comparative Politics

=> See all the Graduates' Portraits

>[ January 2022 ]