Career Guidance and Alumni

  • The idea of the Career Guidance and Alumni Follow-up Offices emerged as one of the recommendations of the Jordan Youth Forum, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II. The Royal Directives emphasised the importance of creating a channel for communication and partnership between students and civil society institutions that supports and sponsors excellence and creativity, and the necessity of establishing mechanisms and programmes in universities to connect graduates with the labour market and introduce them to it.The Career Guidance and Alumni Follow-up Office/King Abdullah II Fund for Development was established at the Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2004. It was initially named the “King Abdullah II Fund for Development Office for Professional Guidance and Qualification,” and its activities were limited to providing certain services to university students. On 24/12/2014, the Higher Education Accreditation Institutions Council adopted a resolution obligating universities in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to establish an office affiliated with the Deanship of Student Affairs called – the Career Guidance and Alumni Follow-up Office/King Abdullah II Fund for Development.

    Middle East University has supported the Office since its establishment, providing all means to ensure its success in enhancing communication between alumni and the labour market through its comprehensive vision. The university values this partnership, which helps achieve its mission of motivating and preparing youth to become active members of their society.

    Objectives

    The primary objective revolves around contributing to the provision of a suitable university environment for students to learn and acquire experience and skills that increase their employability.

    Subsidiary objectives include:

    • Holding career guidance sessions for students to help them identify the needs of the labour market, saturated specialisations, and the requirements related to their career paths.
    • Conducting training courses for university students and alumni to build their capacities and skills.
    • Fostering active citizenship among university students through their participation in voluntary programmes and projects.
    • Strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors, non-governmental and international organisations, and the university.

    Services provided by the Career Guidance and Alumni Follow-up Office

    1. Career Guidance Services.
    2. Training Services.
    3. Activities and Partnerships (Networking) Services.
    4. Alumni Follow-up Services.

    Definition of Career Guidance

    Career guidance refers to the process of advising and assisting individuals in:

    • Making sound professional decisions.
    • Understanding their skills, interests, and abilities.
    • Identifying suitable professional options for them and developing a clear action plan to achieve their career goals.
    • Self-assessment and understanding personal and professional interests and capabilities.

    Career Guidance Tips

    • Research various professional fields and available jobs; review detailed information about each field, and explore the available opportunities and work requirements within them.
    • Seek a specialised career counsellor who can assist you in defining your professional goals and establishing an action plan to achieve them.
    • Develop the necessary skills in your target field of work; look for training courses, workshops, and educational resources.
    • Try to connect with people working in the field you are interested in; participate in professional events and social networks to communicate with experts.
    • Identify the job or professional role you are aiming for and establish a clear action plan to achieve those objectives.
    • Volunteer in non-profit organisations or work on voluntary projects related to your field of work. These practical experiences will help you acquire skills and experience and build a strong work record.
    • Maintain a spirit of flexibility and readiness to adapt to changes in the labour market.
    • Strive for work-life balance: Maintain a healthy balance between work duties and your personal needs. This will help you maintain your mental and physical health and enhance your personal and professional satisfaction.
    • View mistakes and challenges as opportunities to learn and develop yourself. Learn from previous experiences and try to improve your performance based on feedback and observations.
    • Choose a job and career path that you enjoy and that reflects your personal interests and values.
    • Interact well with others in the work environment and maintain professionalism in your conduct and professional ethics.
    • Build a good reputation by adhering to deadlines, keeping commitments, working diligently, and cooperating with colleagues.