Journalist and Entrepreneur Rose-Marie Bouboutou-Poos is on a Journey of (Self)-Discovery

After earning a law degree at Université Paris XI Sceaux, Bouboutou-Poos struggled to find work in the field; her solution was to pursue a dual master's degree at the Institut Catholique de Paris and AUP in International Affairs. She found the American style of education, with its emphasis on independent research and collaboration, transformative. "It was challenging, and I loved it," she says. "It taught us how to express ourselves and helped me build self-confidence." Her studies and experiences at AUP, such as Model United Nations, reinforced her aspiration to work in international environments.

After graduation, Bouboutou-Poos embraced roles in international diplomacy and human rights, including work with UNESCO, the United Nations and the human rights organization Tostan International. While working with an African art gallery and library tied to Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, Bouboutou-Poos began writing for the leading Congolese newspaper. She quickly fell in love with journalism, energized by meeting new people and relishing diverse responsibilities. "The confidence and hands-on experience I gained at AUP prepared me for this job," she says.

Bouboutou-Poos's flourished in the transition to journalism as she worked with prominent outlets such as Les Echos and Jeune Afrique before securing a pivotal role at BBC News in Dakar, where she also expanded into radio and television broadcasting. In an era of rapid change in journalism, she remains committed to its enduring value—providing impartial analysis and historical context to help audiences understand the world. Today, her work as a journalist spans topics from e-commerce to public health, and international politics to security.

While thriving in journalism, Bouboutou-Poos felt called to explore additional avenues of impact. She'd always been intrigued by entrepreneurship, and her career struggles compelled her to guide others through similar challenges. "Before finding my path in communication and journalism, I faced unemployment and underemployment, not knowing what job was suited for me for a very long time," she says.

In 2019, she launched Avoda Learning, a career coaching business named after the Hebrew word that blends work and spirituality. Through tailored courses and resources, Avoda helps professionals align their career goals with personal values to successfully navigate job searches. "Sometimes it's tiny adjustments in your CV or cover letters—or within yourself—that make a difference," she explains.

Following a communications role at the World Health Organization and agricultural consulting in Dakar, Bouboutou-Poos recently returned to Paris and began a new initiative that would scale her impact from individuals to organizations. Her new business, JobJourney, is a site that helps international companies expand their market presence and supports employees through professional development.

Throughout her career and entrepreneurship, Bouboutou-Poos has been guided by her Christian faith. "It has kept me grounded and humble in times of success, and has given me the strength to go on when times were tough," she says, a perspective she has not hesitated to translate into practical tools for empowerment, as demonstrated by the publication of two books, Promises and Declarations for My Finances: 100 Bible Verses on Financial Prosperity (2022) and Overcoming Unemployment: 7 Keys of the Kingdom for Professional Success (2023).

Bouboutou-Poos has clearly found fulfillment in her professional endeavors, but she finds the greatest joy in helping others succeed. "I love to empower people as much as I've been empowered—seeing the transformation and watching them unfold their potential. When someone tells me, 'I've been promoted,' or 'I found this great new job,' I'm as happy as if it were me!"