Citizens create job opportunities based on ambition

In a rapidly growing economic society, amid commercial opportunities and government initiatives that stimulate entrepreneurship, citizens have chosen to move away from their academic specializations and build professional paths with ideas from “outside the box,” relying on passion, boldness, and discovering the secrets of the market, not on study alone.

These experiences are no longer an exception, but have turned into a societal phenomenon, confirmed by young entrepreneurs who decided to make their jobs with their own hands and face the challenges until the end.

Al-Naqbi…and love of trade

Thamer Al-Naqbi, a general electronics engineering graduate from the University of Cambridge, smiles when he thinks back to his starting point: “Since my childhood, I have loved commerce. I used to feel that my personal project was my natural place.”

After graduation, he chose his first step outside his specialty, which was a housewares store. He traveled to China to buy goods, and there he learned more than he had learned in any lecture hall. Then he expanded into the “Istanbul Spa” project for men, and then “Elite Spa” for women, before its branches spread in various locations.

Al-Naqbi says: “Working on something I love is fun, even if it tires me out.”

Later, he entered the field of organizing parties and weddings, “Elite Event,” then a flower and perfume shop in Abdullah bin Omran Maternity Hospital, and established a printing and processing office to facilitate his licensing procedures.

He says: “The road was not strewn with roses. I went through the (Corona) crisis, which forced me to temporarily close and pay the salaries of 40 employees. This was the secret of employee loyalty after the pandemic.”

Al-Naqbi advised the youth: “Break your fear… harness your hobby for what benefits you… all state institutions support you.”

Maryam Al Zaabi.. “Roses with coffee”

Studying geological engineering and petroleum did not prevent Maryam Al Zaabi from pursuing her passion: “flowers, designs, printing.” She opened her first project, “Marsh,” a flower shop with a coffee corner, and it was the first license for this combination in Ras Al Khaimah. She says: “Society told me to work in your specialty…but I chose to work in something that I love and excel at.”

It imported complete decor from abroad for the Exit 122 branch in Ras Al Khaimah, and faced great challenges in shipping, transportation, and breaking parts.

Al Zaabi then entered the field of perfumes, designs, and acrylic printing, and did not stop seasonal updating, adding: “Excellence requires continuous updating.”

Her biggest challenge was attracting new workers and training them from scratch, even though she was still likely to lose them over simple offers.

From “Engineering” to “Hypermarket”

Engineers Abdullah and Mohammed Al Qara Al Shehhi, graduates of Avionics Engineering – Emirates Aviation University and Coventry University 2024, have chosen to completely change their path towards commerce. Abdullah summed up the experience with a few words: “Our ambition is greater than ever,” explaining that the family inherited the trade, but the challenge was creating a field project without consultants.

The two brothers launched their first project, “Spark Hypermarket,” at Exit 122 Ras Al Khaimah, which is a rare project that is completely managed by citizens, from procurement to operation.

They say: “We designed it from the ground up, without partners or seeking help from people of other nationalities, and this is a risk.”

Despite job offers and fixed salaries, Abdullah chose an “unguaranteed journey,” because “prosperity is in the hands of the Lord of the Worlds… I am not afraid of loss.” They stressed: “You must have courage… and conviction… and the state supports us.”

Fatima Al-Sharhan.. “An international women’s brand”

Ras Al Khaimah Youth Council member, Fatima Al Sharhan, a graduate of applied sciences, started with a simple idea: collecting leftover fabric and turning them into technological products (device bags).

She says: “I was among the first projects that received support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, and my project was presented in (GITEX), but (Corona) stopped the activity, so I moved to design and project management, then I decided to create a (brand) for natural leather bags (Aveneh), and dealt with a factory in Italy.”

It confirms that it faced high costs, disparities in licenses between the emirates, and shipping challenges, in addition to the required capital.

However, she says with confidence: “We are in a state of the impossible… There is nothing that we cannot achieve.”

Advanced awareness

Human Resources, Talent Development and Entrepreneurship Advisor, Amna Mohammed Al Shehhi, confirmed that the recent shifts in citizens’ orientation towards working in fields far from their university specializations reflect advanced awareness among young people, in line with the nature of the rapid growth witnessed by the national economy. She explained that the current generation views university major as a foundational stage, while creating their career path based on future opportunities and skills required in a market that is changing at a rapid pace. Al Shehhi added that this transformation is not only related to the fact that the market offers new opportunities in the sectors of technology, innovation and digital transformation, but also to the tendencies of young people to explore non-traditional fields, especially in light of the national environment that supports entrepreneurship, which encourages them to launch their own projects and engage in broader experiences.

She explained that the movement of citizens to different specializations constitutes a healthy phenomenon that enhances the flexibility of the labor market and increases the readiness of national competencies to keep pace with changes. This trend is also consistent with the state’s strategy to build a generation that possesses multiple skills and is capable of leading the sectors of the future, whether as professional employees or as active entrepreneurs in the economy.

Al Shehhi pointed out that the interest of citizens has become clear in areas such as entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital services, supply chains, digital marketing, the tourism sector, and creative services, which are areas that rely heavily on practical skills and the ability to continuously develop more than on academic specialization.

She stressed that the national labor market values ​​actual skills and capabilities to a greater degree than focusing on university degrees, a trend reinforced by government programs directed at developing citizens’ skills and providing them with advanced training programs that suit the needs of the future. She stated that the attractiveness of opportunities today is related to the nature of the sector and not to the geographical location, as the country is witnessing balanced growth that provides multiple options for citizens. She stressed that the state’s continuous trend towards empowering entrepreneurs and developing the economic system establishes an attractive competitive environment, enhances the ability of young people to be creative, and consolidates their role as a major partner in building the economy of the future.

Financial independence

Dr. Omar Al Muhairi, an entrepreneur, certified lecturer, and owner of Al Muhairi and Al Zaabi Company, believes that citizens’ orientation towards projects outside their specializations is due to opportunities, flexibility, and financial independence. Franchise is considered an ideal option, because it is a proven model, a well-known brand, supports entrepreneurs in operation, reduces risks, and accelerates profits. He warns against the biggest mistake, which is “entering based on the trade name only, without understanding the terms of the contract and the market,” pointing out the necessity of learning “Do not rush to profit…success is a journey of planning and continuity.”

National path

Thamer, Maryam, Abdullah, Muhammad, and Fatima agreed that the state provided an environment that encouraged boldness, as it provided licensing facilities, digital services, support initiatives, and empowered youth. They said that the question today is no longer: “What did you study?” but rather: “What can you do?”