The Magazine of Qatar Career Development Center Issue 07 - November 2017 IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE ALL THE ESSENTIAL ADVICE AND TIPS YOU NEED IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREER PATH! NATIONAL SERVICE: WHAT’S HOW TO PURSUE DEVELOPING NEXT AFTER YOUR DREAM BETTER QATARIS GRADUATION? CAREER PAGE 20 PAGE 22 PAGE 28 We require diligence, creativity, independent thinking, constructive initiatives and interest in academic achievement in all disciplines, self-reliance and fighting indolence and dependency. This is not just wishful thinking, and these are not mere dreams. Our goals are realistic and practical, based on the continued determination that Qataris have shown during this crisis. This is not just a passing wave of enthusiasm, but rather the basis for further awareness in building the homeland. His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani The Emir of the State of Qatar WELCOME In the footsteps of TAMIM n his most recent speech, His By moving towards becoming Qatar’s Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad leading career development and Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, has laid guidance center, QCDC is committed to Iout a clear vision for a prosperous providing young Qataris with access future for the State of Qatar. to the best career guidance available, while opening up opportunities for It has become clear to the millions them to develop their skills and of people who have listened to His become productive, active citizens. Highness’ speech around the world, that Qatar is keen on making further Part of our efforts in this direction is scientific and concrete progress the production of this Career Guide, through the development of a qualified which we are certain will serve as a human capital and the promotion of valuable tool for youth as they decide innovation across various industries for on their pathways into higher education the benefit of the nation and its people. and the labor market. These efforts fall in line with the vision Within this guide, you will find a of Qatar Career Development Center range of interesting articles, carefully (QCDC), which places great emphasis on selected to provide you with an building human capacity. edge over the current competitive market requirements. These include Our transformation from the Qatar inspiring stories of successful young Career Fair, as we were previously Qataris, highlights of the benefits of known, is part of our new integrated volunteering and tips on making the strategy to support Qatar Foundation’s right career choice, which I am certain vision towards excellence in the will serve as a useful tool to help you provision of quality education. realize your true potential as future leaders of Qatar. This transition coincides with the current crisis that has engulfed the region, and We hope that the contents of this the economic challenges that require publication inspires, motivates, and Qatar to support the development of a ultimately guides you to the right skilled and capable workforce that meets career choice along the same path that our nation’s labor market needs and His Highness, Tamim the glorious, has ensures our country’s self-sufficiency. depicted on July 21, 2017. Abdulla Al-Mansoori Director Qatar Career Development Center 2 www.qcdc.org.qa 3 CONTENTS IN THE NEWS PURSUING YOUR DREAM CAREER IF YOU COULD BE OR DO ANYTHING IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? ANSWER THIS, Introducing QCDC: AND YOU COULD BE ON YOUR Qatar’s New Career Guidance Beacon WAY TOWARDS SECURING A HAPPY, FULFILLING CAREER atar Career Development Center the four pillars of career guidance (QCDC), formerly known as Qatar systems, namely students career Career Fair (QCF), has recently preferences; their capabilities; the 28 Qundergone a business redefinition, demands of the labor market; and the refocusing and rebranding exercise and necessary experience required. DRIVEN BY has strengthened its focus on building a Recognizing that there are several bridge between the educational sector influencing parties that play different roles PASSION and the labor market in Qatar. in the future of young Qataris, QCDC also The transition from QCF to QCDC not works closely with a range of stakeholder THE A look at successful only coincides with the current crisis such as parents, counselors, relevant that has engulfed the Gulf Cooperation practitioners and professionals, as well as BENEFITS OF entrepreneur, Nasser Council, but is also in line with the Emir’s career advisors. Khalifa Al-Kuwari recent speech on how to address these One of QCDC’s new strategies is the VOLUNTEERING challenges, thus placing further emphasis introduction of platforms and services that 26 09 on QCDC’s aim of becoming Qatar’s are rooted in research-proven activities. leading career development and guidance Over the past six Qatar Career Fairs, and REBUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE AFTER center. At the heart of QCDC’s work are through numerous surveys and activities, IN THE NEWS 5 its efforts in nurturing youth by providing QCDC has compiled information that AN UNSUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW 24 them with career guidance and equipping once analyzed, will pave the way for the CHOOSING A CAREER 12 them with work readiness skills. QCDC development of new initiatives which will MANAGING YOUR FINANCES 25 also promotes a culture of professional benefit the youth and the labor market. FEATURES development within Qatar with the aim Part of QCDC’s work also involves SURVIVING YOUR FIRST DAY AT WORK of contributing to the development of a exploring the local, regional, and 17 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION highly qualified workforce that adapts to international scenes to collect findings WORLD CLASS EDUCATION the needs and requirements of the local about current and future career needs THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN THE labor market, particularly in light of the and practices. AT YOUR DOORSTEP SUCCESS OF THEIR CHILDREN 18 30 present and future economic challenges. Drawing on the above, it becomes clear In striving to develop a qualified human that QCDC’s work is strongly aligned ONE TO ONE capital to meet the requirements of the with Qatar Foundation’s (QF) vision of NATIONAL SERVICE: Qatar National Vision 2030, QCDC has investing and developing human capital DEVELOPING BETTER QATARIS 20 BREAKING BOUNDARIES 32 adopted an approach based on three by providing quality education. As part anchors of career guidance, including of QF’s efforts in this direction, QCDC YOU’VE GRADUATED. WHAT’S NEXT? 22 LAST WORD 34 structured educational and training supports its goal of empowering and platforms; awareness and expertise supporting young people from their first exchange platforms; and knowledge day of school, all the way through to creation and promotion platforms – all advanced postgraduate studies. QCDC designed to empower Qatar’s youth, also contributes towards QF’s goal of 'Career Guide' app because choosing a career goes beyond achieving social and economic prosperity Produced by Qatar Career Development available to download at: just selecting a profession. by building stronger communities through Center in collaboration with Qatar Foundation To choose their best career pathway, lifelong learning and other related Communication Directorate. students need to take into consideration endeavors. www.qcdc.org.qa 5 IN THE NEWS SEMINAR WINTER CAMP HELPS STUDENTS DISCOVER SKILLS AND TALENTS FOR CAREER QCDC celebrated the successful completion of its GUIDANCE five-day Winter Career Camp 2017 in January this year he Winter labor market to Camp bolster economic consisted growth, these SPECIALISTS Tof several activities The role of career guidance plays an important part in the development of a interactive were aimed nation, and to shed light on this, QCDC organized a seminar titled The Role of workshops at equipping designed to hone them with skills Career Guidance in Developing a National Workforce and Contributing to students’ skills to choose a Qatar’s Transition Towards a Knowledge-based Economy, in February this year and develop their career that fits professional their potential. eld at the Hamad bin Khalifa guidance system. Global career employment, career planning and capacities. The Activities also University Student Center, guidance practices and their development, and implementation workshops also included site the seminar brought together challenges were also discussed. process for youth. introduced them visits to leading Ha large number of participants, The event provided an Academic Advisor at Ahmed Bin to leadership organizations. including government officials, opportunity for career guidance Hanbal Independent Secondary traits and the principles of successful teamwork. Student, Ahmed Al-Kuwari, said: "After a visit school counselors, professional specialists to expand their School for Boys Mohamed The main aim of the camp was to instill in students to Msheireb City, I realized that I like the teaching consultants, and representatives networks and encouraged Soueileh, who was among the the basics of a strong career culture and help them profession because it familiarizes community from the private sector. interactive engagement, attendees, said: "It offered us an discover their skills and talents, which will enable them members with Qatar’s cultural heritage and history, Apart from career planning, the collaboration and knowledge opportunity to participate in events seminar provided suggestions on exchange among stakeholders that contribute to the development to choose suitable career paths. and contributes to the development of people's how to enhance the nation’s career involved in the education-to- of our skills and competencies." As part of QCDC’s aim of preparing youth to join the abilities." QCDC AT GLOBAL CONFERENCE n the last edition of the Career Guide, we asked readers to submit a sample of their CVs in return for a prize in ON EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE our CV writing competition. We are hereby pleased to announce the winners here. First place winnerI is Rehab Al Musharafiyeh, while second place winner n November last year, QCDC participated in a is Ghada Al-Sulaiti.