With the younger generation being a core part of the UAE leadership’s vision for the future, we are seeing an increased investment in equipping youths with the necessary knowledge and skills required to ensure the nation is in safe hands.

The UAE is a young country that has been a pioneer in empowering and celebrating young people. As the nation prepares for the next 50 years based on the UAE leadership’s growth strategy, how do we ensure that we prepare the new generation for the future through educational means and stay relevant?

Here’s my five opportunities that we can capitalise on to ensure we give the next generation the best chance in succeeding in the workplace:

The ability to code

At the beginning of 2022, the UAE government launched Coders HQ, a new programme aimed at developing the nation’s coder ecosystem to nurture a new generation of coders, which would allow them to design innovative solutions addressing local and global challenges.

Facilitating the next generation of coders within the areas of science, technology, and innovation will play a vital part in the UAE’s ability to solve challenges related to digital transformation and the development of the next generation of digital business systems and process. By working with talented coders, the country will enable businesses to accelerate their transformation through new technologies and ensure further growth for the UAE.

Internship opportunities

Gaining work experience is an essential aspect of starting your career as a young graduate. The earlier you start gaining experience for your resume, the better.

By partaking in an internship, you will be able to gain real-life exposure, grow your knowledge and determine if you are in the right career field. Internships not only provide you with the first-hand experience in the real working world but also enable you to understand the career trajectory for your desired job title. You can learn how to apply the knowledge you have acquired during an internship to your future workplaces.

In addition to this, internships provide excellent training for young graduates and students while allowing them to meet new people and make connections in the professional world.

Gaming skills

The results of several psychological studies have shown a positive association has been proposed between video gaming and cognitive skills. The perceptive and attentive decision-making skills demanded by video games are thought to equip children with cognitive flexibility, enhanced reaction time, logic, and problem-solving skills that can be transferred to real-life tasks.

With Dubai’s recently announced plan to boost the contribution of the metaverse to the economy to $4 billion by 2030, gaming is a real stepping stone for what will be perceived as the future of work with high quality interaction, immersive technologies, virtual and extended reality, and alternative methods of communication supporting the emirate’s overall growth and creating thousands of jobs.

Enhancing online presence

Whether you’re a student looking to enter the service-based, brick-and-mortar, or online space, a strong online presence is everything today. Social media, e-commerce and other digital avenues are considered key channels for the majority of companies.

Using social media effectively to build a strong social presence and desirable personal brand can ensure your exposure to potential employers and open the door for fantastic networking and career opportunities. In fact, professional social networking platforms such as LinkedIn are now considered the de facto town square where all professional news are exchanged and published. Think about your LinkedIn profile as your dynamic CV and try to create useful content that showcases your activities and capabilities.

Mentorship

The ability to shadow somebody who you look up to in terms of their career success is a big driver for somebody’s professional prospects.

Mentors can help mentees tap into the knowledge of those with more experience than themselves and learn faster than they would on their own. Being part of a global technology organisation such as Microsoft, META or another tech giant will offer students an opportunity to grow their network and connect with leaders rather than only their peers. Choosing the right mentor who cares about your growth and success is critical for avoiding mistakes and focusing on promising avenues. It will go a long way in ensuring you achieve your career aspirations.