Cécilia Wilson, Class of 2016

After an ES baccalauréat, I entered a B/L preparatory class for the Grandes Écoles. I already knew that I wanted to go to Sciences Po. At the time, I took the competitive entrance exam and went on to do a Master in Political Science with a major in international relations at the School of Research. Ever since I was a child, I'd wanted to navigate the corridors of diplomacy. Sciences Po seemed to me to be the best way forward. I was also encouraged by some doctoral students whose email addresses I had found and who were kind enough to give me a telephone interview to tell me about the specific features of the master's degree I was interested in.

There is an amazing freedom at the School of Research. I carried out a research project for my dissertation on pan-Africanism and its birth across the Atlantic, its initiation by Afro-descendants in the Americas before its importation to the African continent. I have fond memories of a course where critical thinking and analysis are highly valued. I also did the Model United Nations in New York at the UN headquarters with my fellow students. It was a wonderful experience. In addition, Sciences Po gave me the opportunity to get involved in community activities and to meet people from the world of culture and politics. I'll always remember meeting Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade in Versailles.

Frédéric Ramel and Bertrand Badie are excellent teachers with forward-looking ideas. In particular, Mr Ramel was the professor who followed me for my dissertation. He worked on music in international relations. His fields of study are fascinating.

Today, I am an international civil servant in the United Nations system. I am also a writer and novelist, having been one of the 5 finalists for the Prix Voix d'Afriques of RFI and JC Lattès in 2021 out of 347 manuscripts. My first book, Afropolis, on transatlantic black identities, was published in 2022 by Indes Savantes.

I knew I wanted to enter the world of international institutions. As soon as I entered Sciences Po, I started looking for an internship. Following my search, I found a part-time job with the former Ambassador of the Republic of Congo in Paris, His Excellency Mr Henri Lopes. I worked for his magazine Géopolitique Africaine for two years. After graduating, I travelled for 3 years before joining UNESCO in Paris as a consultant on African cultural industries and their key role in wealth creation and the development of sub-Saharan societies. I worked extensively on the Nigerian fashion and film industries as examples of economic models.

I was given the opportunity to join the Richard Attias and Associates group to work on the Desert Davos, which I accepted. My activities mainly involved organising high-level forums with world decision-makers and celebrities in Saudi Arabia.

I recently returned to the United Nations system. I work mainly on advancing the agenda of the head of the Organisation.

Sciences Po enabled me to hone my critical thinking skills, develop my analytical abilities, gain knowledge and, above all, develop a network.

Look for a work placement, even if it's unpaid, in the institution that interests you! This is the first step towards securing a contract. You can also try competitions such as the  Young Professionals Programme (YPP) or the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) if your country of nationality is eligible.