DUBAI — Journalism and Communications graduates in the UAE are struggling to find jobs as they lack practical experience that the companies insist on.
Universities offering Communications degrees have sprung up across the country alongside the booming media scene motivated by factors such as Media City that is host to many international and local companies.
However, some of the media students yesterday said they were unable to find placements because they lacked practical experience. The UAE Journalists Association Board Chairperson Mohammed Yousef concurred that news companies had also noticed that the graduates lacked practical experience. Yousef said the organisation is planning to discuss cooperation with the American University of Dubai.
The association had previously announced plans for a training centre to provide ongoing skills training to working journalists in the UAE by collaborating with European institutes and the International Federation of Journalism.
"We have some colleges but we need a training and development centre for journalists working now," he said.
Yousef said, although discussions have not begun, the possibility of cooperating with AUD could lend students experience while working journalists could update their skills.
For Aishwarya Shivkumar, 21-year-old with a Bachelor's degree in Arts from a UAE university, said her lack of practical experience had limited her opportunities for an internship in the country.
"Certain companies steer away from fresh graduates," Aishwarya said. "The availability of jobs has put me down. So instead of wasting time I'm going to do my Master's in the US."
Avinash Menon, a 21-year-old Communications Honours student, joined international student organisation AIESEC in an attempt to secure internships.
"UAE universities, especially within the media field don't offer placements but companies require experience," he said.
Menon said the onus was on the student to make the effort to secure internships.
By Zoe Sinclair (Our staff reporter)