Nathir Haimoun is a busy student. The Syrian national is a veteran of six on-campus clubs — and is ready to establish another, focused on economics.
In addition to his participation in Model United Nations, Model Arab League and an economics-focused club, he is a former member of the civic welfare, newspaper and astronomy clubs at Lebanese American University.
“I am actually part of many clubs. I’ve had a role in clubs that I am not part of officially, like the international affairs club and the Palestinian club,” says Haimoun, an economics major with minors in journalism and political science. “I like to do activities. I am active as a person.”
Arab region universities offer a wealth of on-campus clubs for students. Usually known for their social aspect, clubs can also offer Arab students opportunities for professional development and leadership training — and can shape students into well-rounded candidates for employment after graduation.
Here are three ways clubs may offer career benefits — something for prospective Arab international students to consider when researching universities and the clubs they provide.
[Learn about the growth of extracurricular activities at Arab region universities.]
1. Connections and networking: Clubs can bring peers of different personalities, backgrounds and perspectives together with a common goal or under a common theme.
Haimoun has helped coordinate and organize events — like a Model United Nations conference in Beirut and a fair on campus that provided a day full of entertainment for 500 orphans — and raised money for many nongovernmental organizations. He says he finds the experience “helpful in terms of connections, experience and resume.”
Clubs can expand a student’s professional networks and connections with those already established in an industry.
Amer Nasr, who is Lebanese by descent, is pursuing degrees in economics with a specialization in finance, and political science with a specialization in law , at New York University Abu Dhabi and is president of the Abu Dhabi chapter of the Stern Political Economy Exchange. The group, known as SPEX and with student chapters in New York City, London and Shanghai, seeks to promote understanding of complex interactions between business, politics and economics.
Nasr has some previous work experience as a research analyst at property investment firm Blue Wealth Property in Australia and also as head of research and analysis for the League of Arab States in Brazil. Nasr says clubs like SPEX that have a local and international reach and talking with international professionals from different fields has helped him better frame his career objectives.
“For instance, I first thought I wanted to become involved with options and futures as an investment banker. Instead, after talking to someone who does exactly that, my perspective on becoming an i-banker changed,” says Nasr, who now wants to get into private equity and at a later stage get involved with both government and investment consulting.
[Find out what career options Arab region politics students pursue.]
2. Professional workshops and panels: With his professor’s encouragement, Haimoun plans to start an economics club. He says building one is the easiest way to receive funding to organize events with high-profile public and private officials.
“This club can play a major role in developing the career status of students as well as build general economic knowledge for the public,” Haimoun says.
Haimoun says he hopes the club can raise public awareness about the Lebanese economy, the national debt and the economic future of Lebanon.
Sora Tacio, student services coordinator at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, said in an email that the university’s business club is very active. For example, students visited Bloomberg’s Dubai offices , allowing them “real insight into life at a global blue-chip company ,” and organize talks, seminars and debates that offer “connections with high-fliers in the business arena.”
NYUAD student Nasr says his group is planning a worldwide virtual seminar this year, hosting speakers from all SPEX locations and giving students in New York City, London, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi exposure to professionals in the field from multiple locations.
The seminar will offer speakers from the Dubai government and some top companies such as J.P. Morgan, among others.
[Understand key facts about American-style universities in the Arab region.]
3. Mentoring from professors: Instructors are often among the most eager to encourage students to join clubs, something L AU student Maryam Chaabouni experienced firsthand. Chaabouni, a political science and international affairs major, is a member of the international affairs club and international students association.
“I am a member of the first one because I honestly didn’t want to get on the bad side of my professor,” says Chaabouni, a Tunisian national. “He asked us to be part of the club.”
Often these same professors can serve as mentors and can be great sources when students are seeking letters of recommendation for graduate school or employment. Chaabouni says her professor constantly keeps all of his classes abreast of events and activities organized by the international affairs club.
“He is the chair of my department. So signing up to the club he recommends is a small price to pay when I think of how this action will put me on his good side and will benefit me for anything I may need from him in the future,” says Chaabouni.
The University of Wollongong’s Tacio said the school’s alumni report that their involvement in clubs and societies has made searching for work after graduation easier.
“They have something interesting to talk about during the interview process, and they are more likely to have a lot of chances to advance their career because they are dedicated and committed individuals who have fostered great time-management and organizational techniques,” said Tacio , via email.
Nasr, who found out about his club while attending NYUAD ‘s Student Interest Group Fair during his second week of school , suggests students do their research before applying to universities. He says they should visit the school’s website, which often lists the student clubs, and talk to students attending the university to get an idea of student life and activities.
“University is a time to explore,” says Nasr. “One of the best ways I have found to explore is joining different student groups on campus.”
See the complete rankings of the Best Arab Region Universities.
More from U.S. News
Internships Offer Arab Students a Taste of Careers
Technology, Innovation Attracts Arab Region Computer Science Majors
Arab Universities Prep Physics Students for Business, Research
3 Career Benefits of Joining Arab Region University Clubs originally appeared on usnews.com
