Perspectives

While a bachelor's degree already qualifies you to enter employment, a master's degree is required to pursue a scientific career.

Recently, migration has emerged as an important area in public perception. At the same time, the mechanisms through which public opinion is formed and disseminated are changing. Technological innovations, new media, and the pronounced multilingualism in the African context make this both a challenging and highly interesting and significant field of work. Journalism, adult education, public relations for companies and organizations involved in international cooperation, as well as institutions addressing migration issues, will increasingly need to effectively deploy and use these forums and media in their communication strategies with a focus on Africa.

This will require trained staff with essential background knowledge (African topics), language skills (languages of the African continent), and methodological expertise (linguistic-communicative and media analysis, information gathering, and thematic analysis). Graduates of the degree program bring expertise in a range of well-connected academic fields: The program combines African linguistics, sociolinguistics, ethnology, and Media Studies, preparing students for careers in areas such as:

• Public relations and PR work in organizations and companies with an African focus
• Integration and language: Working with foreign citizens
• Africa-specific publishing (editing, press, marketing)
• Public relations and PR work in cultural institutions
• Media and journalism
• Educational and cultural institutions (e.g., adult education centers) and foundations
• Agencies in cultural and project management
• Academic careers (African Studies, linguistic anthropology, sociolinguistics)

For an overview of potential career paths and fields of activity, as well as interviews with alumni of Goethe University, visit the Career Service page "What to Become?"