Learning about the education business

Forty-five business management students from Sharjah Women's College (SWC) attended a two-day work shadowing programme at Al Mizhar American Academy in Dubai and Uptown School in Mirdif. It was organised by the Higher Colleges of Technology and Beacon Education. Over two days students were introduced to all aspects of work at the educational institutions, right from marketing and publicity to management and accounts as well as the core business of teaching. Notes was there on the first day.

The programme

It is part of a long-term initiative to give SWC students experience in the workplace, and gain hands-on practical work. This opportunity will help students get an idea about the career options they want to pursue.

The work-shadowing programme is integrated into a business management course and will form part of the assessment criteria.

What students do

The first day of the programme focused on management and administrative careers in education. Students were also provided an overview of Beacon Education. Students learnt about the different departments in the school. On day two they worked with staff and teachers, carrying out various tasks with them.

What they learnt

Students learnt all there is to know about the education business;

They assisted teachers with their work, in the process familiarising themselves with a teacher's various responsibilities;

Some students did playground duty;

Students were able to relate what they had learnt during their degree programme with hands-on work

After the work shadowing

Students were asked to keep a daily diary of events, detailing the tasks they were given and the observations they made during the work shadowing experience.

The teachers and staff at the two schools from their side will complete a short assessment of the student's motivation, punctuality and attitude. The diary and the teachers' feedback will be taken into consideration when a student is given her overall grade in the business course.

"We are hoping that students after the work-shadowing will be interested in applying for a job at the school or at Beacon Education. We want those who one day will be in charge of the town to be interested in working in this field," said Melissa Jarvinen, marketing manager, Beacon Education. "Beacon Education is very keen to attract local talent at both our schools and head office," she added.

What students say…

"This is a part of a business course that we are taking, and we will be graded on. We have to help the staff and teachers at the school; we have to help students learn about computers.

"This is the first time that I have had practical work experience; we will get a certificate stating what we did, which is so helpful to our CV. After this experience I am considering working in a school,"
— Khulood Al Ali, Business Management, Sharjah Women's College

"We got good information about the Beacon Education schools and about their vision. I am interested in working for them. It is a good work experience for me; we were exposed to real work."
— Noora Yousuf, business, SWC

"It was a very good opportunity for me to experience real work at a big institution. I like this business and I don't mind working in this field when I graduate. We will be graded on this for our participation and workshop activities, so I am looking forward to doing my best to gain from this experience."
— Noor Mohammad, business and IT, SWC