Students during the eighth edition of ‘My Career – My Future’ programme.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), has launched the eighth and largest edition of its flagship ‘My Career – My Future’ job-shadowing programme, bringing together 350 high school students and a record 33 host organisations for a week of career exploration and workplace exposure.
The five-day programme, running from August 2 to 6 at Multaqa, Education City, is organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), the Ministry of Labour (MoL), the Ministry of Sports and Youth (MoSY), and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB).
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Executive Director of QCDC, Saad Abdulla Al-Kharji; Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Affairs at MoSY, Ahmed Mohammed Al-Harami and Director of Civil Service Affairs at CGB, Yaqoub Saleh Al-Ishaq. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Senior Career Development Specialist at QCDC, Hamad Ali Al-Badr said the programme aims to provide students with meaningful exposure to different professions and help them make informed decisions about their future pathways.
“‘My Career – My Future’ is a flagship programme by QCDC. The main purpose of it is to allow students to explore careers through an intensive week,” he said.
“Students gain hands-on experiences, meet professionals, and see the systems and environments in which different careers operate. Before they begin their workplace experience, we provide them with workshops to teach them how to use and leverage this opportunity effectively.” Al-Badr explained that the programme allows students to select sectors based on their interests before being matched with suitable organisations.
Executive Director of QCDC, Saad Abdulla Al-Kharji (first left); Assistant Undersecretary for Youth Affairs at MoSY, Ahmed Mohammed Al-Harami (second left) and other officials during the eighth edition of ‘My Career – My Future’ programme’s opening ceremony held yesterday.
“Students choose the sector they are interested in through the website before they come. Based on their profiles and the available placements, we position them in each sector,” he said. “This year, we have more than 30 entities participating, representing 16 different sectors.” The programme has attracted students from schools across Qatar, including public, private and international schools.
Al-Badr said the initiative goes beyond simply introducing students to workplaces, as it also supports them in understanding their interests and identifying potential career directions.
“Students today have passports, and they fill out a few points in their resumes, including what interests them and what they do not like,” he said.
“These details help us later when they access another service provided by QCDC, Al Dileela, where we offer one-on-one counselling to focus their attention and guide them towards suitable professions for the future.”
This year’s edition also marks a significant step towards greater inclusion, with students with disabilities and additional learning needs participating for the first time. The initiative reflects QCDC’s continued efforts to ensure wider access to career development opportunities for all students.
The programme also includes students from Assalam Schools, as part of the cooperation between QCDC and Education Above All to provide career development support to students served by the organisation.
Following the opening ceremony, participants attended orientation and training sessions designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to maximise their job-shadowing experience.
During the following three days, students will be hosted by participating organisations, where they will observe professionals in their workplaces and gain first-hand insight into various industries and career paths.
The programme will conclude on August 6 with a closing ceremony and a University Fair, allowing students to connect their workplace experiences with future academic opportunities.
The programme’s 33 host organisations are 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum; Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation; Ahlibank; Commercial Bank of Qatar; Qatar Airways; Qatar District Cooling Company (Qatar Cool); Qatar Olympic Committee; Cultural Village Foundation – Katara; Qatar Red Crescent Society; National Cyber Security Agency; Sout Al Khaleej Radio; AlRayan Bank; Boulevard Clinic; Qatar Television; JETOUR Qatar; Ezdehar Incubator for Initiatives and Volunteering; Sidra Medicine; Ooredoo Qatar; Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail); Snoonu Trading and Services; Qatar National Cement Company; Mowasalat (Karwa); North Oil Company; Huawei Qatar; the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya); Retaj Group; Investment and Trade Court; Mada – Assistive Technology Center; Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital; Al Jazeera Media Institute; Hamad Medical Corporation; Young Entrepreneurs Club; and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal).
