Jobs forum helps give UAE students' careers a lift-off

More than 500 people and 46 companies are at the Paris-Sorbonne event which helps students find jobs and internships.

Safia Saouli, 23, an international business and languages major at the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, talks with a company's representative during career speed networking at the Astrolabe career forum on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The NationalShow less

ABU DHABI // The Paris-Sorbonne University held its third Astrolabe Annual Careers Forum yesterday to help young people find jobs and internships, and acquaint them with the private sector.

More than 500 people attended the start of the forum, including senior officials from the government and private sectors.

A total of 46 companies, government entities and non-government organisations were present, which was an increase on last year.

“This year, we have more alumni representing their companies,” said Dr Eric Fouache, the university’s vice chancellor.

One of them was Rawdha Al Meraikhi, 22, an Emirati representing the Department of Economic Development at the event.

“I got many job offers after graduation but they were not appealing to me,” Ms Al Meraikhi said. “Then I got a call from the department and I accepted it.”

The international business and languages graduate said she enjoyed her job because “everything I studied at university is found here, and my job is different every day”.

The forum included “career speed networking”, in which students had the chance to meet more than 30 professionals to discuss possible employment.

Shaima Al Bargothi, a first-year law student, found the forum to be helpful.

“The event helps looking at different companies and what they offer,” Ms Al Bargothi said.

The 19-year-old Emirati chose the Sorbonne because of the experience it offers and its multicultural campus and courses.

AirFrance has been participating in the careers forum since the first event.

Frederic Gassot, general manager of AirFrance, said the company was looking to hire staff in the marketing, communication, logistics and sales divisions.

“We chose the Sorbonne because of the level of education students get here,” Mr Gassot said.

“We have many staff at AirFrance, but there are regular vacancies.”

There was also an interview competition, run in conjunction with Tan Services, a yacht and catamaran distributor.

From about 120 CVs submitted, four students made it through to the final round of the competition.

From there, Fatima Qubaisi, an Emirati, and Soraya Bagheri, an American, each went home with an airline ticket to the destination of their choice.