Abdullah Al Mansoori
Thousands of our youth are graduating these days from various universities across Qatar. Armed with knowledge and determination to achieve their dreams, hopes and aspirations to the job market, to leave their mark on the country’s development journey. As graduation caps are tossed into the air in celebration, expectations, and dreams of a brighter future soar even higher.
Initially, the enthusiasm of graduates may mislead them into thinking that obtaining a rewarding job aligned with their aspirations will be easy and straightforward once they receive their graduation certificates. However, practical experience has taught us that the job search phase is one of the most important stages in the life of any graduate, especially in light of the expected disruptions in the global economy over the next five years, with major world economies facing downturns and the rapidly increasing adoption of new technologies such as artificial intelligence.
This is emphasized in the Future of Jobs report issued by the World Economic Forum in May of this year, which stated that the global job market is projected to lose a net of 14 million jobs by 2028. However, Qatar has positioned itself among the most stable countries in terms of economic growth, being one of the most resilient and fastest-recovering nations from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Price-Waterhouse-Coopers International. Its economic growth is also the highest among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, according to World Bank estimates. Therefore, the challenge lies in choosing the right approach for our young people to approach and take their first steps into the job market, rather than in creating opportunities for graduates, as opportunity is abundant in Qatar, and the economic environment is highly fertile.
This is where qualified career advisors and counselors play a decisive role in providing career guidance and development services, helping graduates plan their career paths and adapt to any challenges or changes that may arise during this process. Sound career guidance and development can assist young people in aligning their skills, interests, values, and abilities with available career tracks and jobs. It helps them understand and respond to the growing and evolving needs of the labor market and the sustainable development process in Qatar. It also helps them clearly state their career goals and develop effective strategies to achieve them. Career development provides graduates with access to the labor market, allowing them to communicate with experienced professionals in their field of interest to learn more about their work and to test its compatibility with their aspirations.
Therefore, we present hereafter three fundamental concepts that new graduates must understand and focus on:
The first, and perhaps the most important, is proper career planning. Career planning entails the individual’s continuous efforts to draw their career path while taking into account the place they see themselves reaching in their work, in terms of their preference for specific sectors or industries. It is a long and ongoing process that involves identifying your professional goals and objectives, and then finding the most suitable path to achieve them. To ensure that the graduate is correctly and efficiently following the right path, they must monitor their progress, evaluate its outcomes, conduct sufficient research about their career options, required qualifications education, and then finally make reasonable and informed decisions. They should also consider personal values, personality traits, skills, aptitudes, and desires during this process, to understand what motivates them and avoid the exhaustion and frustration that result from working in a field that does not suit them. Proper planning also requires conducting comprehensive research on the economic sectors and job fields available in the country, future labor market trends, and emerging careers.
Secondly, continuous self-development: Knowledge knows no bounds and does not stop at the university degree. Continuous learning plays a pivotal role in maintaining the desired level of competence and developing new skills that help adapt to the changing and fast-paced demands of today’s jobs. It also contributes to securing better job opportunities and advancing professional growth. The rapid technological advancements in the workplace today underscore the importance of lifelong learning. Jobs now consistently require specialized skills, precision, innovation, the use of advanced technology, emotional intelligence, analytical and critical thinking, and much more.
Therefore, I advise new graduates to take advantage of the abundant and diverse sources of open learning. Gaining experiences outside the academic scope is essential, and it will teach them many skills that cannot be acquired from books and traditional educational curricula. This can be done through programs offering micro-credentials or online courses. Additionally, participating in activities and events provided by various educational, cultural, and training institutions can help gain experiences and develop skills. This includes the activities organized by Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), specifically designed to enhance the professional and personal skills and capabilities of young individuals.
Thirdly, mastering the skill of job interviews: This skill is particularly important as graduates enter a more competitive job market than ever before, especially with the widespread adoption of technology and the growing need for a highly capable professional workforce. While it is true that some jobs may be affected by artificial intelligence applications, specifically low-skilled jobs, artificial intelligence can also create new job opportunities in programming, data analysis, robotics, design, and development.
This strengthens the job market in Qatar with a pool of innovative professionals ready to contribute to the country’s sustainable development, leveraging the latest capabilities of the digital world. The ability of these technologies to positively contribute to our national economy and enhance the job market in Qatar depends entirely on the availability of appropriate training and qualification for current and future workforce to adapt and take advantage of the new employment opportunities they can create.
Today, my advice to graduates in the era of “Chat GPT” is not to rush or get frustrated and discouraged, but also not to become complacent and surrender to the ever-changing world. Every change holds both positive and negative aspects. Be vigilant, organized, and creative, and present yourself and your skills properly to achieve your goals. Our center’s doors are always open to provide you with the resources, initiatives, and programs designed by our experts to assist you in achieving the optimal transition from academic life to professional life.
Always remember that your career decisions, as well as your academic choices, will shape not just your future, but ours too. Be worthy of our hopes and never stop seeking knowledge, advice, and help, as we will always be there with you and for you.
Abdullah Al-Mansoori Director of Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC)
