ABU DHABI // Eight hundred school pupils were given advice by Abu Dhabi Indian School’s alumni during its first career day seminar.
Several of the school’s more than 10,000 alumni spoke to the children and inspired them to set ambitious career goals.
They covered topics such as media and entertainment, entrepreneurship and social media as career paths.
“It was like giving back to our alma mater,” said Farrukh Naeem, a communications specialist who was one of the speakers on social media at Thursday’s event.
“We brought in experts from various professions, including well-established entrepreneurs – all from the Adis alumni – to share their advice and insight with students and answer their queries.”
Mr Naeem, 39, who left the school in 1993, said pupils were now more aware of career options.
“They are much more focused and aware of options, and their questions were very intelligent and specific,” he said.
“There was someone who was already helping out his mother in her entrepreneurial work, another wanting to know how to make money from games online.”
Zameer Abdul Wahab spoke to pupils about the challenges and opportunities of being an entrepreneur.
“In our time, a career in social media was completely unknown,” said the 41-year-old who started a company with two people 10 years ago, and now employs more than 100 people.
“Now students can really follow their passion and choose their career accordingly.”
Dan Fernandes, a Grade 10 pupil, was fascinated by Mr Wahab’s success story.
“I just want to be like one of them,” he said.
“I was always confused about my career but today it seems like I know how to take the first step in transforming my passion into a successful career. Just go for it.”
The 15-year-old is interested in aviation.
Aarya Ashokan, 16, a Grade 11 pupil, said: “They have studied at the same school with the same teachers and same curriculum, and today they have made their dreams into reality.
“If they can do it, we can also do it.”
N C Vijayachandra, the school’s principal, said: “Such interaction, especially with experts from non-traditional professions, will provide the students with new horizons to think beyond.”
Abu Dhabi Indian School started 40 years ago with 25 pupils and now caters for 5,300 each year.
“We have produced thousands of minds who are serving not only the UAE and India, but also the rest of the world,” Mr Vijayachandra said.
“Our success lies in strong, grounded upbringing. No matter who your father is and your background, if you are hard-working and have a will to go ahead, the school will take all possible steps to make you successful and a great human being.”
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
