Saad Al Kharji, Head of Career Programs and Services at QCDC
Doha: More than 190 students from nearly 60 schools across Qatar have benefited from the free Virtual Career Advising Sessions provided by Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC) to support students in planning their academic and career paths during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
The topics of the sessions, which were presented by 16 specialized career mentors and mentees, included job opportunities, university requirements, career path guidance, resume guidance, determining the best major, choosing the best university, studying abroad, identifying interests and strengths, and establishing academic and career goals.
Saad Al Kharji, Head of Career Programs and Services, QCDC – a member of Qatar Foundation – said: “During these Virtual Career Advising Sessions, which ran from January to May 2021, students received free professional support to help them determine their educational and career paths and follow the best practices when applying for a job or writing a CV, as well as other employment-related aspects.”
“Regardless of the individual’s age, academic qualifications, or professional level, it is necessary that they persist with enriching their knowledge and developing their skills to perform their work functions optimally. In our time of knowledge and technological revolution, personal and career development is any promising youth’s first step toward success, and a continuation of our nation’s course of growth,” Al Kharji said.
This initiative targeted all Qatar-based high school students, pre-university students, university undergraduates, and graduates up to two years after graduation. The sessions are provided by professional career advisors who are keen to offer personalized career advice to help participants determine the academic and career paths most appropriate for each of them. They also guide students to the best practices in the recruitment process, as well as answer any inquiries they have regarding their future career and entering the labor market.
The program aims to build the capacity of budding practitioners through hands-on experience under the supervision of an experienced advisor. The mentoring program is under the umbrella initiative of the Virtual Career Advising Sessions, which provides career guidance to youth in Qatar.
Fatima Chaudhry, one of the career mentees who volunteered to participate in the sessions, said: “This was a great opportunity to volunteer as a career advisor and make a difference in society. Many students have had to change their studying schedules and lifestyles over the past year, and it is a pleasure to be able to provide a service that they can access virtually from the comfort of their homes. I had amazing discussions with students about their goals and how to stay motivated during these times.”
