KAS-SAIIA Careers Event 2026: Beyond the Degree – Humanities Careers in a Transitioning World

Image: SAIIA, Melissa du Preez
Image: SAIIA, Melissa du Preez

This flagship event, in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, will address how the new world order will influence careers in the humanities, particularly in the Global South.

The contemporary world is increasingly defined by transition, disruption and uncertainty. Climate change, geopolitical fragmentation, rapid technological advancement, democratic contestation, economic volatility and shifting labour markets are reshaping the nature of work globally. At the same time, the rise of AI, fintech, platform economies and data-driven governance has intensified anxieties surrounding employability and the future of work.

The annual KAS-SAIIA Careers Event encourages students and graduates to think more expansively about their futures. Increasingly, employers are seeking those who are adaptable, analytically skilled and capable of understanding complex systems across multiple disciplines. Professionals working in development, sustainability, governance, communications, policy, finance and technology are rarely confined to a single discipline. Instead, many careers now require the ability to work across sectors and engage with intersecting issues.

Humanities degrees are not simply academic qualifications; they are toolkits for interpreting complexity, engaging critically with change and contributing meaningfully to society during a period of profound global transition.

The event will:

  • Showcase the diverse career paths within the field of humanities and social sciences
  • Exhibit various sectors and organisations
  • Announce the opening of applications for the KAS-SAIIA Scholarship for 2027
  • Allow students to interact with professionals working in government, think tanks, NGOs, consulting, technology, finance and international institutions.

Register to watch the livestream here.

We look forward to your participation.

This content features on the G20 Resource Centre.

29 Jul 2026