Students, graduates and career counsellors in the UAE were asked to voice their opinions about career fulfillment and salary expectations on graduation. The results revealed an underlying fear among students regarding their career aspirations ... would they be successful in the real world? Manal Esmail reports.
Graduation might mark the end of your academic life, it also means the beginning of a new era for all those entering the "real world". For students, this real world is the career world, and most agree that entering it is a challenge.
Students, graduates, and officials from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) along with career representatives from the American University in Dubai (AUD) and the University of Wollongong, Dubai (UOWD) were asked to voice their opinions about career fulfillment and salary expectations upon graduation.
Ten students and ten graduates from AUS were randomly selected and surveyed. The results revealed a significant underlying fear among students regarding their career aspirations.
Fifty per cent of the students were worried about whether they would be able to forge a successful career.
"I am really worried about finding a career once I graduate," said Yasmin Hafez, a business student. "I do not want to get stuck in a position where I may have to pursue a job that does not meet my standards."
Depressing experience
Only 10 per cent of the graduates described their search for a satisfying job as easy with 50 per cent saying it was moderately complicated and the remaining 40 per cent claiming it was an extremely challenging process.
"It was a very difficult and depressing experience," said Hassan Oneissi, AUS computer engineering graduate. "Sometimes you feel as if all the time you spent in university was a wasted effort. The worst part is the period when you're not even called for an interview."
According to students there are several factors that complicate the quest for employment, one of them being an applicant's nationality. Eighty per cent of those surveyed believe that one's nationality plays a significant role while job-hunting.
Nevertheless, Maysun Nimr, career advising and placement services (CAPS) manager believes otherwise. "I don't think that companies place as much emphasis on nationality as students suppose," she said. "I believe it depends more on how each student presents himself/herself and the personality he or she portrays. It also depends greatly on the type of job position applied for. Nationality only comes into play when certain languages are required for the successful implementation of a job or when a company is looking to fulfil its emiratisation requirements."
Family contacts
Thirty per cent of the graduates found jobs through the help of friends and family or wasta as it is colloquially called. The figure was the same among the student group, which claimed they were guaranteed employment upon graduation because of the right contacts.
"As far as nepotism goes, knowing the right person may get you the chance to get an interview," said Sue Hunter, career services manager at AUD.
Money, money, money
When it comes to salary expectations, however, students have fairly modest ambitions. Fifty per cent in the student group expect an average starting salary between Dh5,000-Dh7,000 per month.
"I am planning to work as a sales manager in a well- organised company for a minimum salary of Dh5,000 per month," said business student Inas Al Beitouni. "All companies deal with marketing and most of them require sales managers so I am not worried about finding a stable career unless I don't have the required skills to work in a certain job."
Nimr said that students often have to choose between career opportunities commensurate with a student's desires and salary expectations.
A trade-off
"There is usually a tradeoff between interesting jobs and salary intake," she said. "For example a student that takes a seemingly boring job may receive a high salary and vice versa.
"Nonetheless, we have established a standard in our office because we believe that AUS students are academically proficient, qualified, and are in demand in the market."
Carol Houser, director of community relations at the School of Business and Management, added: "Choosing the right career path varies greatly when considering opportunities for advancement and how much an individual can grow in a particular job of interest," she said.
"Graduates shouldn't only look at the starting salary as it depends on other facets such as experience and skills. For example, a person may be employed in a company that offers an outstanding salary but with no room for advancement."
And what about the 30 per cent among the student group who would rather go abroad.
"I'm planning to work in Qatar," said Ahmad Al Mousa, an engineering student.
"I believe there are greater job opportunities there for engineering students. Moreover, economists predict that Doha will boom and it is important for me to be part of this."
Houser said that while choosing where to work, keep in mind your personal objectives. Career counsellors might provide a lot of information and advice, but the decision is ultimately up to the individual.
"It depends more on the person's preferences based on their priorities, budget, family, lifestyle," she said. "There is so much to consider that it is more of a personal choice."
Both students and officials agreed that in the end it all comes down to the effort graduates place on the pursuit of their career.
"It doesn't depend on the job market alone, as much as on the graduate and his or her ability to market themselves," said Nimr.
"This is where CAPS' role comes in assisting students with their CVs and communication, interview, teamwork and leadership skills. The UAE is witnessing tremendous growth which is opening so many jobs in the market."
AUS alumnus Mariam W. Al Dabbagh, managing group editor and co-founder of Soura magazine, also emphasised the importance of a graduate's effort and self-confidence when seeking a position in the workplace.
"Finding the right job requires you to be in the right place at the right time with the right attitude," she said.
"It may seem impossible for some to find jobs, however according to my own experience it isn't difficult if you pursue it right. The most important factor in finding the right career path is believing that you can easily fit any job position offered to you because you have the strong education, solid character, and open mind to learn as you walk towards a bright career and future."
ARE YOU WORKING AT WHAT YOU STUDIED?
Seventy per cent of the graduates surveyed were able to find a job in their field of study, and 60 per cent said they were not willing to work outside their expertise.
"I am afraid I may end up in a career that doesn't suit me or my credentials as a result of job unavailability and resorting to the least desirable option," said Hafez. "Sometimes in the end you just have to make a choice."
Seventy per cent of the students surveyed said if they had the opportunity they would like to work in the UAE.
"It's a safe country that presents many opportunities," said international relations student Sidra Shahid. "However, it is important to note that living expenses here continue to rise which may lead people to believe they can have a better lifestyle abroad."
Nevertheless, career representatives agree that the market in the UAE, particularly that of Dubai, is growing rapidly with many opportunities for newcomers in all fields.
One of these booming markets is the design industry.
"Dubai's population is directed at a 10 million target metropolitan zone," said John Alexander Smith, Chair and Professor of Interior Design at AUD.
"Buildings must continue to be constructed to meet this target. Interior designers work on existing and new buildings. The portent is good if the economy continues to expand."
"Most of our graduates are acquiring exceptional jobs in the workplace," added Dr Mahboub Hashem.
"Students graduate with excellent English, writing, oral and communication skills because of our excellent standards and therefore are provided with better opportunities in media outlets."
THE BEST FIELD FOR JOBS
So which fields have the best job opportunities?
"I'm reluctant to say to students: ?Go study this or that major as it will guarantee you a good job,'" said Anna Helsing, career adviser at UOWD. "That's a sure way to disappointment and failure - much better to play to your strengths and opt for subjects you're good at and enjoy as you will ultimately be more successful and motivated."
Dr Mahboub Hashem, AUS mass communications department chair, commented on the growth of the media industry. "I always advise students to work wherever they have the best opportunity or enjoy working the most," he said. "However, in the mass communications department I believe advertising is in the greatest demand. It is, in fact, where most of our students are enrolled because of its wide and interesting scope integrated with opportunities for high-paying jobs. We also have new faculty in public relations so we have many more students either majoring or double concentrating in PR."
IS A GOOD STARTING SALARY IMPORTANT?
"Quite important. I would choose the job for the money."
- Robsoa Correa, business administration, MAHE- Manipal, Dubai
"It is important, but money is not all. You have to look at the nature of the job and satisfaction."
- Rony Dominic, business administration, MAHE- Manipal, Dubai
"If the job is interesting I will not look at the money."
- Mohammad Azeem, business administration, MAHE- Manipal, Dubai
"I think it is important to select a job that you are interested in but keeping money in mind."
- Auyush Sharma, biotechnology, MAHE- Manipal, Dubai
"I won't go for a job because of the money. The scope of the job is more important."
- Vaibhav Sharma, biotechnology, MAHE- Manipal, Dubai
- The writer is a student at the American University of Sharjah.