TSOM globetrots with series on International Careers
Times of Bennett | Updated: Oct 11, 2024 10:58
By Pranavi Ambati
TheTimes School of Media recently hosted a series of informative seminars under the "Careers with Global Organizations " initiative, offering students the opportunity to interact with eminent figures in media and communication who work globally, and to learn from them what it takes to become a professional capable of transcending geographic boundaries.
Designed by Dr. Pallavi Bansal, Assistant Professor atTSOM , and hosted by her team of students on the Internationalisation Committee, the seminar series aimed to expose students to global career paths, sparking in them a desire to explore international opportunities and pursue impactful roles in various global sectors.
Session 1:Arpita Mitra on Humanitarian Work and Criminology
On September 6th, 2024, Arpita Mitra, an International Humanitarian Worker and Criminologist, delivered a lecture as part of the Careers withGlobal Organizations series, sharing her experiences in prison reformation and corrective justice across the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. Held in-person at TSOM, her session marked the official launch of the series.
Mitra’s lecture, titled “International Humanitarian Work in Conflict Zones,” focused on her work with vulnerable populations during and after conflicts. She discussed her involvement in dialogues with armed groups and her work with theUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Arpita addresses how her experience as a budding criminologist drove her to pursue humanitarian causes, starting with championing the cause of prison reforms in Indonesia.
“In your years as a field delegate, the work can often feel tiresome. In conflict, belligerents rarely wish to cease fighting and reach an agreement. They see a ceasefire as a compromise, a surrender of the cause they believe in. There’s also the ever-present fear for one's life, especially when the parties involved include terrorist organizations,” she explained. “But it’s your passion that will push you to try again, over and over, until the mission is accomplished,” Arpita continued, earning admiration from the audience.
Her emphasis on the importance of maintaining humanity in crisis situations resonated deeply with students aspiring to work in humanitarian fields.
Session 2:Ria Sen on Disaster Risk Management and Technology
The second session in the Careers with Global Organizations series took place on September 13th, 2024, featuring Ria Sen, Global Preparedness Officer at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Sen, recognized for her work at the intersection of technology and disaster risk management, is a leading figure in global preparedness strategies. An alumna of the London School of Economics, she has extensive experience with UN agencies and the European Commission.
Her webinar, titled “Technology, Innovation, and Disaster Resilience,” explored how advancements in telecommunications and technology are reshaping disaster risk management. She provided a detailed perspective on how governments can leverage technology to enhance resilience and shared her personal experiences managing technological preparedness at the WFP. Her insights were particularly valuable to students interested in international policy and disaster management.
Ria Sen connects online to share key takeaways, including the academic and experiential pre-requisites that are expected when applying for work with global governance bodies.
"Technology is not inherently bad – though it may present challenges we haven't encountered before. That said, it's not entirely flawless. The difference lies in the intent of the person using that technology,” she remarked when asked about technology being a force for better or worse.
Session 3:Aditi Sangal ’s Career in International Journalism
The latest session in the Careers with Global Organizations series took place on October 4th, 2024, featuring Aditi Sangal, an Emmy Award-winning journalist based in New York City. She has covered major global events such as the U.S. elections, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the Israel-Hamas war. Originally from India, Aditi graduated from Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi and earned her master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
In her session titled "Aditi Sangal’s Career Path and Insights into International Journalism", she shared her journey from India to international newsrooms. Sangal highlighted the challenges of global reporting and the transformative impact of technology on modern journalism. The session captivated students, with many eager to learn about covering significant global events and navigating high-pressure situations in real time.
NYC-based Emmy award-winning journalist Aditi Sangal responds to questions posed by Semester 5 students as they take intrigue in the stories she's covered.
My greatest learning would be that you must always be open for the 2 Cs: Change and Challenge. Only if you are willing to push yourself further than where you were a day ago will you find what extraordinary things you are capable of – be it any field, not just in Journalism,” she shared, reflecting on her journey from local newsrooms to the global stage.
Conclusion
The Careers with Global Organizations series has been a profoundly enriching experience for the students of TSOM. Through the lens of journalism, humanitarian work, and disaster resilience, students gained a comprehensive view of the diverse career opportunities available within global organizations. Each session highlighted the critical values of dedication, empathy, and adaptability in these impactful careers, leaving students both inspired and equipped with valuable insights for their future professional endeavors.
(The writer is a Semester V student of the BA Journalism & Mass Communication programme)
The
Designed by Dr. Pallavi Bansal, Assistant Professor at
Session 1:
On September 6th, 2024, Arpita Mitra, an International Humanitarian Worker and Criminologist, delivered a lecture as part of the Careers with
Mitra’s lecture, titled “International Humanitarian Work in Conflict Zones,” focused on her work with vulnerable populations during and after conflicts. She discussed her involvement in dialogues with armed groups and her work with the
“In your years as a field delegate, the work can often feel tiresome. In conflict, belligerents rarely wish to cease fighting and reach an agreement. They see a ceasefire as a compromise, a surrender of the cause they believe in. There’s also the ever-present fear for one's life, especially when the parties involved include terrorist organizations,” she explained. “But it’s your passion that will push you to try again, over and over, until the mission is accomplished,” Arpita continued, earning admiration from the audience.
Her emphasis on the importance of maintaining humanity in crisis situations resonated deeply with students aspiring to work in humanitarian fields.
Session 2:
The second session in the Careers with Global Organizations series took place on September 13th, 2024, featuring Ria Sen, Global Preparedness Officer at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Sen, recognized for her work at the intersection of technology and disaster risk management, is a leading figure in global preparedness strategies. An alumna of the London School of Economics, she has extensive experience with UN agencies and the European Commission.
Her webinar, titled “Technology, Innovation, and Disaster Resilience,” explored how advancements in telecommunications and technology are reshaping disaster risk management. She provided a detailed perspective on how governments can leverage technology to enhance resilience and shared her personal experiences managing technological preparedness at the WFP. Her insights were particularly valuable to students interested in international policy and disaster management.
"Technology is not inherently bad – though it may present challenges we haven't encountered before. That said, it's not entirely flawless. The difference lies in the intent of the person using that technology,” she remarked when asked about technology being a force for better or worse.
Session 3:
The latest session in the Careers with Global Organizations series took place on October 4th, 2024, featuring Aditi Sangal, an Emmy Award-winning journalist based in New York City. She has covered major global events such as the U.S. elections, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the Israel-Hamas war. Originally from India, Aditi graduated from Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi and earned her master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
In her session titled "Aditi Sangal’s Career Path and Insights into International Journalism", she shared her journey from India to international newsrooms. Sangal highlighted the challenges of global reporting and the transformative impact of technology on modern journalism. The session captivated students, with many eager to learn about covering significant global events and navigating high-pressure situations in real time.
My greatest learning would be that you must always be open for the 2 Cs: Change and Challenge. Only if you are willing to push yourself further than where you were a day ago will you find what extraordinary things you are capable of – be it any field, not just in Journalism,” she shared, reflecting on her journey from local newsrooms to the global stage.
Conclusion
The Careers with Global Organizations series has been a profoundly enriching experience for the students of TSOM. Through the lens of journalism, humanitarian work, and disaster resilience, students gained a comprehensive view of the diverse career opportunities available within global organizations. Each session highlighted the critical values of dedication, empathy, and adaptability in these impactful careers, leaving students both inspired and equipped with valuable insights for their future professional endeavors.
(The writer is a Semester V student of the BA Journalism & Mass Communication programme)
