Episode One: Uwa Igbafe, Institute for Benin Studies
ZAINAB: Can we meet you?
UWA: I'm Uwa Igbafe, a graduate historian, researcher and writer. I write articles, creative works, and academic writings, into arts and humanities research. I'm mostly interested in culture and heritage preservation and management. I am currently an intern and researcher at the Institute for Benin Studies.
ZAINAB: Why did you think your history degree fit into the internship?
UWA: As I've said, I currently intern at the Institute of Benin Studies, and the primary aim of the institute is to preserve the history of Benin, both the ancient and the current. Not only preserve it, but also collect it, because as much as there is a lot of history to preserve, there is still a lot of it that is left unwritten. They collect and preserve the heritage of Benin for both national and international audiences. This totally fits into my history course because it is essentially documenting the history and heritage of a place, which is Benin in this case.
ZAINAB: What is one skill you gained here that you didn't get in class?
UWA: The first thing would be research experience, as well as cultural writing, writing for journals. Basically, during my undergraduate days, we were taught history and how to answer questions in the exam hall, but not particularly academic writing. That academic writing is what I get to witness and practice at the institute. It has also helped my public speaking skills, I would say communication skills in general, because when it comes to fieldwork, oral interviews, and presentations in conferences, you have to do it. There is also digitalisation, because you have to transcribe the resources you get after fieldwork. I have also learnt library skills, cataloguing, labelling and arranging books in the library.
ZAINAB: Can you walk us through, step by step, how you got the internship?
UWA: I volunteered with the institute, then applied. Others just applied and got accepted according to what they could offer.
ZAINAB: What's the first step a history student should take to land a role like this?
UWA: I would say, first of all, graduate, and if you're applying as an undergraduate, make sure you have the relevant skills they need. Even if you are not good at research, just have the skills they need. It can be literary writing, community management, and I have to say, sometimes volunteering helps you discover this. Then, once the call for application is out, put forth your best foot.
ZAINAB: As a graduate, do you have to be done with NYSC before you apply for this internship?
UWA: No, you don't have to be done with NYSC. They accept recent graduates as well as postgraduate students.
ZAINAB: Give one example of a task where your history training gave you an edge.
UWA: An area my degree gave me an edge in is history and research. The knowledge I got during my degree about Benin, colonialism, as well as the current trajectory of things, enables me to engage in conversations without being left behind. Research is also another aspect. The institute does not particularly teach you about research, but that skill I have gives me an edge.
ZAINAB: What almost stopped you from applying, and what changed your mind?
UWA: I felt that I was not good enough, because the institute is recognised globally and the quality of their work is top tier. So, I kept wondering if I was good enough. But when I volunteered with them, I got to know what they needed, as well as network with people, and that eased my fear of not being good enough, and it changed my mind.
Episode Two: Hephzibah Aaron, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria
ZAINAB: Can we meet you?
HEPHZIBAH: My name is Hephzibah Aaron. I am a student, an education policy advocate, a fashion designer, as well as the CEO of a fashion brand. And outside all of that, I'm literally just a girl. I'm currently a 400-level student at Babcock University, studying History and International Studies. For my SIWES, I was at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, where I worked with the Public Affairs Unit.
ZAINAB: How did you land this internship role?
HEPHZIBAH: I think it is important to mention that we were the first set in my department to do SIWES because of the new CCMAS curriculum. Our predecessors hadn't done it, so when we got to 300 level, we weren't even aware that this was something we were going to have to do, and I didn't take it seriously until we were asked to submit the names of the organisations we'd love to intern at. I didn't want to just pick an organisation because I needed to fulfil a requirement. I knew I was going to spend a significant amount of time there, and I really wanted to do purposeful work. So I started researching organisations and sending applications. I applied to places like UNICEF, the British Council, Lagos Food Bank, and a few other organisations that aligned with the things I was interested in. But as the deadline for submitting our organisations got closer, I still hadn't gotten anywhere. Then, a friend of mine who studied the same course and had previously interned with FAAN mentioned FAAN to me. I reached out to her, asked about her experience, what she did, and what the application process looked like. She was really helpful and basically walked me through the process. Thankfully, my dad also works in the aviation space, so he was able to guide me as well. I followed the application process, wrote the required test, and then went through an interview, and I got accepted.
ZAINAB: Why did you think your history degree fit this internship?
HEPHZIBAH: I think the first thing to clarify is that my degree isn't just History; it is History and International Studies. So I didn't just look at the History aspect, because that wouldn't really capture the whole degree. Personally, I've always been more drawn to the International Studies side of my course. So for me, an international airport was almost a no-brainer, because it's such a major hub for international interaction. I also think the History aspect of my degree came into play, especially because History teaches you a lot about people, cultures, and past events. So having some understanding of different cultures and the backgrounds of people I might interact with was useful, particularly working in the Public Affairs Unit. So for me, it wasn't really about finding an internship that had "History" written in the name. It was more about finding a space where the things I was learning in History and International Studies could actually be applied, and I felt the airport gave me that opportunity.
ZAINAB: Was the internship paid?
HEPHZIBAH: Yes, it was, but it was not in the form of a salary, but a stipend. Essentially a transportation stipend. The stipend is only for a 6-month internship, so if you will not be spending up to 6 months, a stipend is not guaranteed.
ZAINAB: Given it was 6 months, does this mean the internship was from 2nd semester, 300 lvl?
HEPHZIBAH: Yes. We went back to school after our SIWES to do a crash semester to cover up for the second semester we didn't do. It is called Post-SIWES semester in my school.
ZAINAB: Was the application process physical or virtual?
HEPHZIBAH: The entire application and acceptance process is 100% physical. I had to go to the FAAN training school to apply, and you'd be asked to bring a list of documents. The test is also physical.
ZAINAB: What is one skill you gained here that you didn't get in class?
HEPHZIBAH: If I had to settle for one skill, I would say multicultural competence. I had actually heard the term before I started my SIWES, but I don't think I truly understood what it meant until I got to the airport. At some point during my internship, I worked as a front desk officer at the information desk in the terminals, and because it's an international airport, you're constantly interacting with people from different nationalities and cultures. So I had to learn how to adjust the way I communicated with different people: things like language, body language, gestures, and even certain behavioural differences. Sometimes, there were language barriers. I could remember interacting with passengers who spoke very little English, and then there were times when you would meet someone from another English-speaking country and realise that, okay, apparently the English I thought I knew so well isn't necessarily the English everybody understands. So I think the biggest thing I learnt was how to navigate those differences and still communicate effectively and make people feel comfortable enough to get the help they needed. It's definitely a skill I'm still developing. I wouldn't say I've mastered multicultural competence, but the airport gave me an opportunity to practise it in a way that I couldn't have gotten from sitting in a classroom.
ZAINAB: Give one example of a task where your history and international studies training gave you an edge.
HEPHZIBAH: There are actually a lot of examples I could give, but I'll stick to one. During my SIWES, I worked in the Public Affairs Department, specifically in the Protocol and Passengers Unit. The major responsibility of our unit was to facilitate VIP passengers through their arrival and departure processes. So we interacted with a lot of people, diplomats, CEOs, board members, and other important people coming into or leaving the country. One thing that really helped me was the training I had received in diplomatic protocol and etiquette. As a History and International Studies student, we learn about diplomatic relations, and we also learn the appropriate ways to interact with diplomats and people in diplomatic settings. So when I started working with some of these passengers, I already had an idea of how I was expected to conduct myself. I understood certain etiquettes, how to communicate appropriately, and generally how to approach those interactions. And the funny thing is, I didn't even realise how much it was helping me until someone actually said to me, "This seems so natural to you. Have you worked with a diplomat before?" And I was like, "Oh my God, no. I literally just learnt this in school." That was one of those moments where I realised, okay, this thing I'm learning in class actually has practical applications. It wasn't just something I was reading for an exam; I was actually using it in my workplace.
ZAINAB: What's the first step a history student should take to land a role like this?
HEPHZIBAH: If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked this question since I started sharing my SIWES experience on LinkedIn, I would probably be able to clear my shopping cart by now. But I think the first step that we often forget is to actually get to know yourself. What are you interested in? What are your values? What kind of work do you enjoy? Are you interested in communications, media, administration, research, policy, development? Once you understand those things about yourself, you can start researching organisations that align with them. Is it a good SIWES placement? Yes. But there are so many other organisations and opportunities out there that could be a much better fit for you. So I think the first step is really to sit down with yourself and figure out: What would make this experience worthwhile for me? Once you know that, finding the right organisation becomes a lot easier.
ZAINAB: Has this given you clarity on what your future career path is?
HEPHZIBAH: Honestly, no. It didn't give me clarity on exactly what my future career path should be. But I think it gave me clarity in a different way.
Working at the airport actually made me realise what I don't want. The airport runs a shift system, and I realised that I don't think I want to have a career where I'm constantly working shifts. It took a lot of my time and energy, and I found myself getting burnt out quite often. I also realised that as beautiful as a job may look from the outside, I don't want to give that much of my time and energy in exchange for money if the work is constantly draining me.
So in that sense, SIWES helped me eliminate something. It showed me, okay, this is probably not the kind of work environment I want long-term.
But then there was another part of the experience that surprised me. While I was doing my SIWES, I started sharing my experience on LinkedIn. And before that, I was actually comparing myself to some of my coursemates and friends who were having different internship experiences. I would see where they were working and think, "Oh, I wish I had gone there," or "I wish my experience looked like this." But when I started sharing my own experience, I realised that I genuinely enjoyed it. I enjoyed reflecting on what I was learning, explaining it to other people, and seeing people engage with what I was sharing. And that made me realise that maybe, someday, I would like my career to involve some aspect of sharing, teaching, communicating, helping people learn, or just being able to make an impact on someone. I don't even want to say "impact on society," because that sounds so big. Even if it's just one person who can say, "I learnt something from her," or "She helped me see something differently," I think that would make me really happy. So no, SIWES didn't give me a clear career path. But it gave me clarity about what I don't want, and it also helped me notice the kind of work that genuinely excites me. And I think that's also a form of career clarity.
Episode Three: Nzewi Augustine Chinemelum, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs
ZAINAB: Can we meet you?
AUGUSTINE: My name is Nzewi Augustine Chinemelum. I am a final year student of History and International Studies at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, formerly Anambra State University, and I am currently interning at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
ZAINAB: How did you land this internship role?
AUGUSTINE: I got this role through my LinkedIn connections. We are the first set to do internship as part of our curriculum in my university. It is important to note that I had a LinkedIn account, and most of the people I connected with were related to my field of study; they are either postgraduate students or people already working in the field, e.g. scholars in history, advocates for Pan-African history, etc., and I interacted with them. So, while I was searching for a placement, I reached out to all my LinkedIn connections. I explained my discipline and what it entails, and also asked for advice on where I could do my internship. I got the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs as recommended by someone who had previously worked at the institute.
So, I went there to formally apply. Initially, I was told the application had closed, because they only take in 10 students per year out of over 500 applications, and they had already selected those 10, but I still submitted my documents and went there the next day to follow up, and had the chance to meet someone else. He asked me why I was there, and I told him, and I was asked some questions relating to my discipline, and I got them correctly. So he referred me back to the application office, and my application was processed, so I got in.
ZAINAB: What are the documents you took along?
AUGUSTINE: A letter from my school, my CV, and my application letter.
ZAINAB: How long does the internship last for?
AUGUSTINE: I will be using 3 months, and no, we did not use the second semester for this; instead, we are using our holiday to do this internship before we resume 400 level.
ZAINAB: Why did you think your history degree fit this internship?
AUGUSTINE: I think this fits into my degree in History and International Studies because it provides an opportunity for me to experience research, understand what it means to be a diplomat, and also how the international system works when two or more countries are interacting. The institute also provides archival materials which aid research and help me better understand a concept, alongside carrying out oral interviews.
ZAINAB: What is one skill you gained here that you didn't get in class?
AUGUSTINE: If there is one skill I am currently getting here but did not get in class, it would be research paper presentation. They teach you how to carry out research, what it means to be a researcher, and how to present papers at a seminar, and also how to accept constructive criticism after paper presentations.
ZAINAB: What's the first step a history student should take to land a role like this?
AUGUSTINE: The first step would be to have an active LinkedIn account and be visible. Let them know your course of study and your interests. Then connect with people in that field.
ZAINAB: Is it a paid internship?
AUGUSTINE: No, it is not a paid internship.
ZAINAB: Has this given you clarity on your future career path?
AUGUSTINE: I cannot particularly say anything for now, because I am still in the learning phase; I am not done with my internship yet, but one thing I have come to enjoy is how to carry out research.
Episode Four: Jaiyeola Ose Emmanuella, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy
ZAINAB: Can we meet you?
JAIYEOLA: My name is Jaiyeola Ose Emmanuella, a 400-level student of History and International Studies, University of Benin, and I interned at the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
ZAINAB: How did you land this internship role?
JAIYEOLA: I can't really say I landed this opportunity. We did not get to choose where we wanted to intern. I, alongside some of my coursemates, was posted to the ministry by the department, and it lasted for two weeks.
ZAINAB: Why did you think your history degree fit this internship?
JAIYEOLA: As I've mentioned, the placement was at the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, and we were under the Cultural Heritage Department. It totally fits into my course of study, because cultural heritage has to do with preserving the history of a society. We usually do not get to intern, but we did it this time around, and it was particularly beautiful.
ZAINAB: What's one skill you gained here that you didn't get in class?
JAIYEOLA: One skill that stood out to me was communication skill, because while I was there, I was not just communicating with my colleagues or my lecturers, but also professionals in a working environment. It sort of gave me a glimpse into what communication looks like in the after-school working environment. I also got to improve more on my research skills during this period too.
ZAINAB: What's the first step a history student should take to land a role like this?
JAIYEOLA: I would say get your facts straight. It really does come in handy, and then apply. I know I did not apply or go through those processes, because our lecturers did that for us, but to get into any system, you will still have to apply, right? So apply, and follow up on it.
ZAINAB: Were there postgraduate colleagues amongst your co-interns?
JAIYEOLA: Well, apart from my coursemates and I, there were also graduate students as well as corps members.
ZAINAB: Was it a paid internship?
JAIYEOLA: No, it was not. As I've mentioned, it was for a short period of time, but we did get a work incentive when we were leaving, though.
ZAINAB: Has this given you clarity on your future career path?
JAIYEOLA: Although it was for a short time, I can say it opened my eyes to research, and the future career path for me will most likely be in academia. Not just a teacher, but a professor or a researcher.