Üsküdar Üniversitesi Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan was a guest at the "Beşiktaş 5th Career Days" program organized by the Beşiktaş District Directorate of National Education. In her speech titled "New Professions and Career Opportunities in a Changing World," Arıboğan stated, "It is a responsibility to share our experiences with young people." She added, "I always prioritize being the best second. What I prioritize first is success. There is only one definition of success, and that is happiness. Nothing else matters."
"We are in an era where civilization is transforming very rapidly"
Arıboğan, offering advice to students who want to develop themselves in the field of international relations, said: "International relations is not a field that requires many specific professions. My most important advice to young people is that if their primary search is for a job, which is a fundamental search in our country, life might not be very easy. Because we are living in a period of incredible change. If you enter the most popular departments of 10 years ago today, it might not be useful for your career at all. We are in an era where civilization is transforming very rapidly. When planning a career, rather than just finding a job, one should aim to be good at something and do it with passion. After that, a job will naturally follow. International relations forms a basis. What do you learn? You learn what is happening in the world. Companies, for example, always hire economic consultants. Now they have started hiring political consultants as well. They have started to bring people who understand political science onto their boards of directors. Therefore, whatever you do after our field, it will give you an idea about the world. If you pursue a master's degree or have an area of interest, you can do anything in that field. You can enter politics, you can become an academic. These are related to our unique field."
"You should educate yourselves well in several fields"
Arıboğan, speaking about fields that support the international relations department, said: "There are schools of thought in international relations education. Some international relations departments cater more to the business world. In fact, universities in Istanbul, like Boğaziçi-style ones, offer education in international relations that primarily directs students towards the business world, such as international trade and international finance. Others, like Ankara and Istanbul political science departments, train students for public service, to work for the state. For example, at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, we essentially educate state-oriented students who will work for the state. For instance, with a focus on political psychology. When a terrorist act occurs, we pay more attention to things like what kind of psychology it creates in society, how political actors who want to capitalize on it can be stopped, how they can be guided, and how productive psychology can emerge from it. In the narration of history, we also lean towards psycho-history. As the main pillar of the university is psychology and psychiatry, we integrate international relations and political science around it. Every school has its own unique approach. But when you graduate from international relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the easiest place to enter. Beyond that, the entire state bureaucracy is open to you if you are in political science and international relations. You can also find jobs in banks. With a little accounting knowledge, you can find work in all banks. You can see this in most bank employees. You can get involved in politics, work as a programmer on television, start your own businesses, become an entrepreneur, and work on international platforms. The most important thing is to educate yourself well in several fields. International relations usually requires a master's degree or a double major."
"The only definition of success is happiness"
Arıboğan stated, "I always prioritize being the best second." She continued, "What I prioritize first is success. There is only one definition of success, and that is happiness. Nothing else matters. The grades you get, where you come from, don't matter. Let's say young people finished all their exams with first place, graduated from high school with first place. Is it enough, or not enough? They finished university with first place. Is it enough, or not enough? They got a job, they are very successful. Is it enough, or not enough? There will be a lot of injustices. You're great at your job, but you go home to a terrible spouse. Everything falls apart, you're unhappy. You're great with your spouse, but there's a problem with the children, you have health problems, your mother or father gets sick, you have no friends, you are all alone. It's not enough. There's only one way. You will be a center that produces happiness, love. You will know how to share. In these pandemic conditions, we ask young people, everyone our age, 'What do you want to do when the pandemic is over?' Nobody says 'I'm going to buy a sports car, I'm going to have a vacation like this, I'm going to buy these things for myself.' Everyone says they will be with their friends, run and hug their mothers and fathers, and go to kiss the hands of their elders. This is humanity's only quest. We want a loving environment."