Dubai: Both the private and public sectors have their advantages and disadvantages and joining one or the other depends on the job applicant’s goals and preferences, young Emiratis said on the sidelines of Careers UAE.
Gulf News spoke to Emiratis already working or looking for jobs at the career fair, which offers Emirati youth a platform to meet recruiters for employment and traineeship opportunities.
Siham Al Beloushi, 25, who graduated from Zayed University, took on a job at AW Rostamani as a human resource and Emiratisation executive. She said that she wanted to work in a private company to get exposed to different cultures. “I am around Emiratis all the time. I wanted a change, so I knew straight away that I wanted to work in the private sector. I also did not want to a routine government job; I wanted to do something creative.”
Siham believes that the private sector is where all the development is happening and she wants to be part of it.
In stark contrast, Fouad Omar, 28, is at Careers UAE to land a government job because he wants to leave the private company he is currently working in.
“I used to work at Dubai Police. I then switched to a private sector job, but I have to say that I prefer the government one because as an Emirati your rights are protected and you get a better chance to grow.”
Omar, however, admits that working with people from various nationalities in the private sector allowed him to improve his English and learn how to deal with different cultures.
Ahmad Abdullah, 17, a high school student, is at Careers UAE to find companies that will offer engineering scholarships and training prior to hiring him.
“I would prefer to work in the government sector because it is more likely to offer scholarships and invest in me as an Emirati before hiring me. Private companies offer training, but I want to pursue my higher education first.”
Omar Esmail, another high school student, does not care if he works for a private or public company as long he is given opportunities to grow. “I will go to the company that offers me a better job and growth regardless it being public or private.”
Zahra Al Fardan, 20, studied finance at the American University of Sharjah. She wants to work in the public sector, but is particular about the kind of government department it will be.
“I want to work in a governmental department that has a more westernised environment. I believe that the public sector offers better opportunities, but since I have studied in private schools I don’t want to lose the multicultural westernised environment that I am used to.”
