How I started my career in Abu Dhabi after graduating

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is a globally connected business hub, its international, innovation-led business environment making it an exciting place to start your career after graduating.  

Abu Dhabi University alumna Sara Abuhassira graduated in 2019 with a BA Mass Communication, which focused on strategic public relations and advertising.  

After earning her degree, she decided to stay on and work in Abu Dhabi. Today, Sara is a senior account executive at Weber Shandwick MENAT, a leading PR agency representing some of the most well-known brands in the UAE. 

TopUniversities spoke to Sara about her career path so far, how she is finding her current job and how she managed to secure a job in Abu Dhabi after graduating.  

Why work in Abu Dhabi after graduating? 

After graduating from Abu Dhabi University (ADU), Sara watched her friends find jobs in Abu Dhabi’s expanding job market quickly. She explains that this high rate of employment is because employers in Abu Dhabi value new and innovative degrees, such as her BA Mass Communication. 

In addition, Abu Dhabi University is one of the top universities in the UAE. It ranks an impressive 31st in the Arab region in the most recent QS Arab Region University Rankings, earning a high score for employer reputation, demonstrating how its widely recognised by employers for its high standards of education. 

The combination of Sara’s degree and her attendance at a prestigious university, meant she was highly sought after by graduate employers across the UAE.  

Sara said: “Abu Dhabi is growing rapidly, and it is making significant educational investments. Abu Dhabi recognises the people's devotion for their professions. Values of respect, tolerance, commitment, and care are fostered by both the public and private sectors.” 

Although, work culture in the UAE is generally centred around dedication and will, Abu Dhabi is placing a new, renewed emphasis on work-life balance, implementing laws to ensure this is prioritised as part of its ongoing efforts to build happier societies.  

Getting a job in Abu Dhabi 

For Sara, getting a job in Abu Dhabi was fairly straightforward. She was offered a job with the agency Weber Shandwick MENAT after completing an internship there while studying.   

Using the university’s careers service department  

Sara’s six-week internship with Weber Shandwick was a compulsory part of her course.  

The internship programme is an opportunity offered to all Abu Dhabi University students in their final year of a bachelor’s degree by the school’s Employability and Alumni Relations Office.  

The Employability and Alumni Relations Office helps ADU students and graduates with their academic, social, and professional development through various programmes, including one-on-one career advice, graduate placement support, internships, professional development, and talks with industry professionals. 

The aim of the internship programme is to help students put their theoretical knowledge into practice and stand out in a competitive job market. As part of this programme, the department requires students to take part in an internship workshop, which helps them make the most of their internship. 

The Employability and Alumni Relations Office gave Sara options of various PR agencies she could work at. Of these options, Sara selected Weber Shandwick. The careers department then approached and liaised with the company, who offered Sara the internship.  

Using the internship to gain a full-time job 

During the internship, Sara worked hard to win over the management and her co-workers. She enjoyed the internship and wanted to get hired on a full-time basis. 

While working in the internship, a job vacancy for a junior account executive became available at Weber Shandwick. Sara immediately shared her CV with the management and was offered an interview. The interview went well, and she was offered the role, which she started just three days after graduating. 

Sara has since been promoted to senior account executive and is still working at Weber Shandwick.  

She said: “I’ve learnt a lot, and I still have a lot more to learn. In my career, I’ve met people from various backgrounds and levels of experience. Everyone taught me something, which is what I value most about my career: it's the kind of job where you learn something new every day.” 

Her advice to students wanting to work in Abu Dhabi after university? “Pick the right major, one that is new and in high demand. Excel in your studies, and you will get help finding a decent job that matches your qualifications.”