What Types of Jobs Do People Do in the UAE?
The workforce of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) consists largely of expatriate labor from virtually every nation around the world. Although a foreign concept to Westerners, workers of specific nationalities often obtain jobs in only certain job categories. South Asian countries, for example, export labor for unskilled construction jobs. Individuals from some Arab countries occupy mid-level management jobs in fields like hospitality. Western workers may find these types of jobs unavailable to them; Westerners usually occupy positions in education, media and executive positions in construction and architectural design.
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Education
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UAE employers seek native English speakers in the education field. UAE educators forge partnerships with Western universities to bring high-quality programs to the country. Along with Western educators, UAE universities, such as the American University in Dubai, hire support personnel to establish computer network applications, design network security and evaluate technology issues to serve students and faculty better. As of 2010, IT jobs can pay from about $500 to $1,000 per week.
Human Resources
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Human resources departments in the communications and IT industries provide many job opportunities. Given the large influx of foreign workers, skilled human resource directors are highly desired. Managing payroll, establishing performance evaluation, hiring and termination procedures are part of the job description as UAE employers move toward a Western-style employment model.
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Media
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More than 100,000 British expatriates live and work in the UAE, with many employed in media and technology. Over the last decade the number of English-language magazines and newspapers significantly increased. Native English-speaking foreigners hold editing, reporting and photography jobs. Supervisors also prize graphic designers with extensive experience in website and image design. Young journalism, publicity and public relations job candidates seek positions in the UAE early in their careers to gain experience before returning to their home countries. These jobs require a university degree, and salaries range from $3,000 to $4,000 monthly, if not higher.
Construction and Architecture
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Perhaps the top employers in the UAE are construction and architectural firms. Dubai since 2000 is the hub of construction activity in the Middle East. Employers heavily recruit construction managers and architects for their expertise in green building. Employers want Western architects for their ability to break the conventions of standard architectural design with elaborate skyscraper styling and their talent for using green technology so buildings operate efficiently in the harsh desert climate. Jobs include site supervisor positions to oversee the costruction of pedestrian bridges, schools and related infrastructure. Some employers expect senior architectural managers to commit to a job for up to 48 months to plan building projects valued up to $500 million.
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- Photo Credit Dubai Creek image by chrisc from Fotolia.com
