The women’s majlis: There’s more to life than studying

One of my friends recently got her master’s degree in information technology from an Abu Dhabi university. She was complaining how her graduate-school studies were equivalent to a bachelor’s in terms of coursework and quality. “I spent more than Dh90,000 and I haven’t learnt much,” she told me. Her master’s hasn’t benefited her pay or opportunities. What I learnt from her experience is that sometimes advanced degrees don’t land you anywhere. Too often, they can create a career plateau.

I was about to apply for advanced studies right after graduation, but when I was asked why I decided to continue my studies right away, I was clueless. I had no idea which field I wanted to pick, either.

It was then that a friend suggested I enter the labour market to gain some work experience and perhaps rethink graduate school. I’m grateful I followed her advice. Today, people who have higher degrees without any work experience are struggling to find a suitable job. They’re labelled “over­qualified” by companies. They reach a level where they’re prepared to abandon their hopes of finding a dream job and will do any kind of work to save face.

My work experience has opened up more professional opportunities; it has also helped me grow intellectually. My two-and-a-half-year experience has taught me that not everything can be learnt in school. Certain skills can be learnt only through work experience.

I strongly suggest that ­anyone thinking of graduate school seeks career advice from their seniors or speak to faculty members of different universities to get a broader understanding of what’s ahead. A master’s is a huge investment.

I spoke to a faculty member a few days ago to seek advice about my own plans for graduate school. She advised me to choose a major that would allow me to be creative in my life and career, and help me grow personally, professionally and socially.

I know people who have headed straight into a master’s without any plan, except to get the certificate. Their salary may have gone up, but with no personal growth. I also know people who completed their higher education and came back even stronger. They’ve subsequently climbed the ladder to success.

I’m on the verge of study­ing anthropology. There are life benefits to this study. I know it will help me communicate better with other nationalities and understand where they come from. In the long run, the UAE will welcome more expatriates, expertise and foreign businesses. I hope a sound education in anthropology will bring some changes and create more bilateral relationships between countries.

Asmaa Al Hameli is a features writer for The National.

If you have a good story to tell or an interesting issue to debate, contact Shireena Al Nowais on [e-mail].

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