Alumna takes on the world
Anna King, Assistant News Editor
The Graphic
April 13, 2006

With the onset of global problems such as the avian flu and global warming, December 2005 international studies graduate Ranti Oseni said she has found that conflict in other parts of the world and economic instability can affect the United States directly, making the international studies area one of the most dynamic and influential in which to work.

“We truly live in an interconnected world,” Oseni said. “We can never be isolated from the effects, good or bad, of globalization and technological advancement.”

Oseni said she believes that an international studies major prepares students for the challenges that the increasingly changing world presents. “It ensures that students understand the status-quo of the world we live in, what their role is and how they can improve it,” Oseni said.

Shortly after graduation, Oseni landed an internship with the International Law and Justice program of Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS), a non-profit organization in Washington D.C. CGS offers several programs that advocate greater American involvement in pressing international issues. Following her internship, she has accepted a job offer to be a legal assistant for the International Trade Practice Group of an international law firm in Washington, D.C.

“I am currently a research associate at the international law and justice program CGS,” Oseni said.

Oseni said she conducts background research on a number of issues areas and writes research papers based on her research results. Last month, she completed a research paper on human rights mechanisms in Africa, outlining possible avenues for reform. She also researches and writes the latest news stories for the Web site and tracks legislation in Congress concerning the International Criminal Court.

Oseni said that one of the most exciting things about her internship is the opportunity to attend events in the Washington, D.C. area.

“Earlier this month, I attended a Congressional Hill briefing and the guest speaker was the United Nation’s Assistant Secretary General for the Department of Peacekeeping Missions, Jane Holl Lute. She spoke about the U.N.’s plans to take over the African Union Mission in Sudan, which is the only peacekeeping force that is on-ground, monitoring and protecting the people of Darfur from the genocide currently going on in Darfur, Sudan.”

Oseni said her classes in the International Studies Division helped her prepare for her internship.

“I constantly rely on the experience I gained from writing research papers for the different classes,” Oseni said. “My professors in the division, Dr. Robert Lloyd and Dr. Diener, were always very helpful in directing me to credible sources where I could conduct research on international issues.”

As an undergraduate, Oseni also found that everyday assignments such as research papers turned into valuable experience for the field.

“A lot of the entry level jobs with this major require advanced research skills and experience,” Oseni said. “Employers also want to see that you are responsible and have organizational skills. The best way to do this is to be involved in extra-curricular activities and take up leadership positions. It shows potential employers that you can multi-task and adapt in any situation.”

While at Pepperdine, Oseni was involved with a number of campus organizations, including the Pepperdine Ambassador’s Council, Alpha Phi sorority, Panhellenic Vice President of Ethics and Morals, both French and international studies honor societies and NewsWaves26.

Dr. Robert Lloyd, International Studies Division chair, said students leave Pepperdine with one of the most complete educations possible.

“Our students, for all of our majors, have rigorous academic courses within a Christian college, combined with their international experience that comes with the international programs that school offers,” Lloyd said. “There are a lot of enrichment programs that are also offered to the students, such as the National Model U.N., international military conferences and internships in Washington, D.C. Put all of that together and you get very well-prepared students.”

Oseni said students who are looking for a job immediately following graduation should open their minds to other avenues in the workforce.

“Graduates might want to take up an internship position at a think-tank or non-profit organization,” Oseni said. “It might eventually turn into a job offer after the internship is over. If not, you will have additional experience that will be attractive to future employers.”

Lloyd also said Pepperdine students who graduate from the international studies program are unique in that they have a passion for service and go out into the workforce and apply that desire.

“Our students have a very service-oriented nature and are very interested in going into missions work in the Peace Corps and serving others,” Lloyd said. “They have learned it here as part of the mission statement of the school and it’s worked. They go on, get into grad schools and good jobs and they bring an ethical and moral component with them.”

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