ABU DHABI // Choosing a major that the job market demands is a critical step towards employment, Emirati youth heard at a forum on Tuesday.
Many jobs are being created but do not have qualified candidates, said Abdullah Al Bishr, head of strategy and planning at Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, a group that helps Emirati job seekers find employment.
“There needs to be a lot of work in creating this connection between academia and the job market to make sure there is a supply for the jobs being created,” said Mr Al Bishr, speaking at the annual Mubadala Youth Forum for students and graduates.
“We need to think today that if I did not choose the correct major, then it is my responsibility.”
Graduates in engineering, business administration and education secured jobs the fastest, according to a survey of about 3,000 Khalifa University students who graduated last year, said Arif Al Hammadi, its executive vice president.
Sixty-five per cent of the students, who included both Emiratis and non-Emiratis, had been offered a position. Those who had studied humanities and agriculture had the hardest time finding jobs, he said.
“What you major in is very important,” said Mr Al Hammadi.
“Right now, a simple bachelor’s degree will not guarantee anything. Further specialisation is actually very much needed.”
Competition for jobs will only increase in the future, said Mr Al Bishr. Part of the strategy for finding employment should be choosing what major the country needs at that time.
The council expects that by 2020, 298,000 jobs will have been created for UAE nationals in media, real estate, financial services, tourism, health care and energy.
But interest in one’s field is also crucial, said Abdulla Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, executive administrative officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
“The desire has to come from within the student to take [the major] on, because this passion is going to give you what you need to stand out,” Mr Al Shamsi said.
Even after they have graduated, people should continue to improve their skills, said Mr Al Hammadi. “I was able to improve on my administrative skills and it got me the position I have now. So it has nothing to do with my original course of study,” he said.
Skills such as communication are necessary for working in diverse work environments and is one thing that Ahmed Al Suwaidi, human capital director at Tabreed cooling company, said that employers look for in candidates.
“I need to know as a graduate or job seeker how to communication with people from different parts of the world,” said Mr Al Suwaidi.
“It’s very important for us to know how to communicate with them, learn from them and even teach them.”
Not having that skill would lead to “a lot of problems” for new employees, he said.
Maysa Mohamed, 20, a student at Zayed University, said that she at first wasn’t sure about which major to choose but felt confident about her choice following the forum.
“I decided to choose integrated communications, and I’m happy about that,” she said.
She hopes to acquire more skills through work experience.
“We should get more experience to be unique,” she said.
Choosing a major is difficult because while students may love one field, the job market is demanding another.
“We will search for balance between what we love and what we can do for our country,” she said.
Dozens of UAE university and high-school students and graduates attended the forum on Tuesday after having applied online.
Three students – Hamad Al Kaabi, Mishal Al Marzooqi and Alia Al Hazami – received the first Mubadala Youth Award for their achievements and positive impacts on the community.
Mubadala is an investment and development company based in Abu Dhabi.
lcarroll@thenational.ae
