 
I am currently studying Media at the Higher Colleges of Technology. Last year, however, I was an Engineering student carrying the nagging question of my choice through two semesters. I did not feel that it was the career path I would like to follow, since Maths and Physics were a challenge – as they were two subjects that did not ‘speak’ to me. I received a warning letter and was almost expelled from the college, but at the same time I was startled into action.
Thankfully, there was light at the end of tunnel; my supervisor contacted me, and suggested I might like to enrol in a programme that would help me and build on interests that were already beginning to show. This is how I moved to Media. I listened to her advice, and it was a big step for me when I enrolled in the Young Media Leaders programme, while I was still studying Engineering. Even though it was mainly designed for Media students, I started writing and publishing my articles on the YML website (www. mynews.ae), and contributed to the YML print magazine. I have to say that out of the total 35 YML contributors, 33 were female media students, but nevertheless I wrote more than any of them!
That’s what made me change my major to Media - because I love reading and writing, and I had already proven that! At the same time I worked with one of my colleagues on her graduation project - a short film that she was directing at the time. I joined the project as the scriptwriter. Eventually each of us got what we wanted: I gained filmmaking experience and she got her Bachelor's Degree!
So far, my studies in Media are general and not focused on a particular subject. That being said, I am planning to be a film director so I hope that they will centre on that goal. I know that in order to reach that level I need have a lot of patience, so I decided - in the meantime - to take on volunteer work. So in 2008, I joined a group called BE-E, which stands for Be Environmental and was initiated by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. Along with students from different universities, both Emiratis and Arab expats, our goal is to spread the word about the climate change challenges that we face as a nation.
About seven months ago, I also joined Takatof, an Emirati volunteering agency. I went with them to China and I enjoyed working with my colleagues from different Emirates, representing our country in the UAE pavilion in Shanghai Expo 2010. Wearing our national dress, we spread the message of the UAE culture, language and traditions. I felt very proud to have been chosen to represent my young, dynamic country.
Through these training and volunteering programmes, I hope to position myself as a self-educated person who has found paths where there weren’t any; who has built new roads into unknown territories; who took everything one step at a time, while being aware of both his weaknesses and emerging strengths. Daring to walk those paths has been a true self-discovery. The career goals that I have set for myself and the challenges that I face every day allow me to learn from every opportunity that presents itself to me. And I always follow my motto: 'Opportunities are like birds - catch them before they fly away'.
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