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Taking up summer jobs to boost family income

DUBAI — Gone is the trend of going on an overseas vacation during summers or even taking a break from school and relaxing indoors, away from the heat and humidity. The ever-increasing cost of living has begun to take its toll on the youth in Dubai.

More and more youngsters from Dubai’s middle-class expatriate families are taking up various occupations to help support their families or to earn some ‘pocket money’ without being a strain on the family budget.

With the recent announcement by the authorities allowing students to take up jobs while pursuing their education in the UAE, teenagers can easily find jobs in Dubai’s booming economy as many firms are willing to hire temporary labour, either to cope with the significant increase in demand during the summer or to make up for employees who have gone on a vacation.

Hamad Alhemairi, human resource officer at Emirates Bank said, “We hire students and give them responsibility and authority to see how they cope with it and train them to deal with real jobs.” Emirates Bank has given more than 15 students office-related jobs as of July 1.

“It is a good thing, whether it is needed or not financially, that students take up jobs during summer. It will keep them off the streets and teach them responsibility so that they can begin to look at themselves as being independent, develop an identity as well as formulate emotional stability by giving them a purpose, of participating in the family funding,” said Dr Raymond H. Hamden, clinical and forensic psychologist at the Human Relations Institute Dubai.

“It will also help them to learn flexibility, adaptability and respectability for community and give them the confidence of being able to make money,” he added.

“Having a summer job is an excellent way of preparing for the future,” says 16-year-old Ben Aneesh, a student at the International School of Choueifat Dubai, who has taken up a full-time summer job at ICICI Bank. “And it is better than sitting at home doing nothing,” he added.

Money is not the only driving force behind Dubai’s job-seeking youth. The experience is great and looks good on their profile. Working can also present an active, enjoyable and profitable way to pass the time. Additionally, community service goes a long way for those seeking acceptance to universities in United Kingdom and the United States.

The chemical company BASF, too, has given a few summer jobs to students this year. “We aim to help the students to bridge the gap between the theory learnt at school and the practical aspects of working,” said Allwyn Santhumayor, operations manager at BASF.

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