Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — More than 1000 parents and students from the Indian community attended the career guidance fair organized by the International Indian School Alumni Association (IISJAA) at the International Indian School Jeddah boys' section auditorium. The event was very well organized by the alumni executive committee along with the support of the school management. For the first time the IISJAA invited seasoned industry experts to explain and make students understand about various career prospects not only from the theoretical perspective but also from hands-on practical experience. Part of the road show were universities like Eastern Mediterranean University from North Cyprus, Istanbul Kultur University, Istanbul Sehir University and Bahcesehir University from Turkey. Effat University and Prince Sultan College of business both from Jeddah also participated. Educational Consultancies like IDP and International Educational Consultancy represented various universities from US, UK, Australia and New Zealand while institutions like Erada Training Institute and Jeddah Chapter of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (JCICAI) briefed students and parents about career in accountancy. President of IISJAA, Asim Zeeshan Khan, delivered the welcome address and advised students that they should take their career decisions based on their interests, strengths, weaknesses and what they really want to do in their life. He requested parents not to pressure students to pursue for their own unaccomplished ambitions. He advised students that onus of convincing your parents' lies entirely on themselves. “You are likely to face stiff resistance, no doubt, but you must put up a brave face and take everything in your stride.” The chief guest of the event, Raqhib Quraishi, Head of Chancery and Education Consul at the Consulate General of India, graced the occasion. He thanked IISJAA for organizing such a mammoth event for the benefit of the student fraternity. He said that today's young generation is very lucky as they have plenty of options before them to choose but at the same time they are confused about making a decision due to the abundance of options. It is here that career guidance programs help students and their parents. IISJAA Vice President Syed M. Aziz was the master of ceremony, who welcomed Syed Masood Ahmed, Principal of IISJ. Masood encouraged the students to plan their future smartly and stay focused on their education. He suggested that the students should identify their inner talents and accordingly design their future courses so that they give their best and excel in which ever field they choose. It was a packed auditorium with enthusiastic parents, students and the alumni members who looked forward in designing their future career paths. “I wish I could go back in time and become a student again. We never got such opportunities during our days in school,” said Fareed Sardar Khan, general secretary of IISJAA. The counseling session started with a presentation on Path to future by Imran Khan, an alumnus of IISJ who is currently the Business Development Manager of International Education consultancy. Head of Information Operations at National Aquaculture Group, who is also an IISJ alumnus, spoke about the prospects of various careers in IT industry. He explained students about the modern fields that have high potential in present and forthcoming job markets. The audience got firsthand insights related to cloud technology. The audiences were enthralled by that talks of Rachel Swati Ramaswamy, an L.L.B and a practicing lawyer at Hani Quraishi Law firm who happens to be an alumna of IISJ. Her lecture was an eye-opener for students as many didn't know the prospects of practicing law in the Kingdom. She was flooded with questions during the interactive session. A traditional science originating from India, Naturopathy was covered by Nouf Maarwai, a Saudi national, who is a pioneer in promoting Naturopathy in the Middle East. She is the President of Arab Yoga foundation. Her presentation mesmerized the audiences upon learning the benefits of choosing naturopathy as a career path. Another Alumnus of IISJ Atif Kareemuddin working as the Corporate Acquisition Manager at American Express Saudi Arabia Ltd. educated students about the prospects of different opportunities in the field of finance. He gave practical advice to the students and gave information about the pay packages they can achieve in the field of finance.
Engineer Robert Jurgens, who is working as a Senior Project Manager at AECOM, Saudi Arabia, briefed students about many lucrative opportunities in the field of project management and engineering. He encouraged students in identifying their hidden talent within them and groom it. His lecture was very well liked and got a huge round of applause. In the ever growing economy, digital marketing has become an important field. Students got to learn its prospects first hand from the guru of digital marketing, Talal Saharti, head of Digital Media in Okaz Publications. His rich knowledge in this subject directed the students in knowing the vast openings in the domain of digital marketing. Chartered Accountant Huzefa Yunus Saylawala represented Jeddah Chapter of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He gave a detailed career path presentation about chartered accountancy courses. Students and parents throng the JCICAI stall during the interactive session.
Dharam Kapoor, Managing Director of Advisors 360, considered one of the most respected marketing professional from the Indian community presented a very interesting interactive session on advertising. He explained the various career options in the field of advertising and shared some interesting insights through his enthralling audio visual presentation. The event was sponsored by one of the leading brands in bakery and ready to eat products Switz. Luna also sampled their canned food to the attendees.
