Patience has its bitterness and sweetness. I knew sooner or later my patience would be tested, and I was fully prepared for the storm. I graduated a few months ago with a degree in visual communication. While I was still a student at Zayed University, we were often told that ZU graduates would not find it difficult to secure a job; that we were “different” from other university students, as we possessed strong skills.
I was at an age when I believed most of what I was informed. The reality hit me later. Days, weeks and months have passed, and I’m still not employed. Am I desperate? Not to an extreme degree. I always tell myself every morning: “If I wake up to witness the next morning, I have another chance to live and work.”
What I have expected before is not what I have today. Like many people, I’m having a difficult time finding a career. I like to use the term “career” instead of “job”. I want a lifelong career that will help me grow both professionally and personally. I’m seeking an environment where I can learn new skills, build new relationships, have opportunities to showcase my skills and talent, and feel satisfied that I’m doing what I love. Salary is important, but it’s not my priority.
I’ve applied to many places and gone through a few interviews. Too often, companies take too long to get back to you. If they made an effort to tell me and many others out there – waiting patiently to know whether they’re accepted or rejected – the reasons they’re taking forever to get back to the interviewees, it would save my time as well as theirs.
But I’m not put off. When I feel like giving up, it means that I’m not living by the example of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He once said: “Try to achieve the impossible and direct your people to ways of achieving it.”
I’m one of the millions of people who are searching for a career months or years after graduation. But many successful people failed many times. Failure is the first step to success. What they had in common was how they succeeded because they never gave up.
I try to follow a few techniques to keep myself confident about the future and what it holds for me. First of all, when you’re unemployed, you are often asked by your families and friends: “Are you not employed yet?” Answer that question confidently and you’ll be fine.
Secondly, try to surround yourself with positive people. Call people, whether they be friends or family, rather than emailing or texting.
Finally, if you didn’t get the job, it doesn’t mean you weren’t suitable; it means you need to try harder. Sometimes the best is saved for last.
Fatma Al Muhairi, 23, is a Zayed University graduate in visual communication.
If you have an interesting story to tell or an important issue to debate, contact Shireena Al Nowais on salnuwais@thenational.ae.
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Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
