Abu Dhabi: Students planning their university education should look beyond grades, popular degree choices and certificates to understand which careers match their interests and abilities, career counsellor Dr Mauli Mahajan told families at Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi.
Mahajan, founder of MyCompassToday and 3E Worldwide, encouraged students to explore professions, gain practical experience and research academic pathways before committing to a career. Her advice addressed five recurring concerns: subject selection, peer pressure, university admission requirements, extracurricular achievements and the cost of higher education.
The two-day Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi took place on October 17 and 18, 2026, at Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche, bringing students, parents, universities and education advisers together to discuss courses and future study options.
Five questions students need to consider
For many school students, deciding on a career can feel like a choice between a handful of familiar professions. Mahajan said young people often consider only a limited number of options, influenced by family careers and perceptions of which fields offer the best prospects.
Artificial intelligence and robotics, for example, may attract students because these subjects are frequently discussed as future-focused fields. But choosing a course simply because it is popular can leave students pursuing a subject that does not match their interests.
Students should instead ask themselves five questions:
- Which subjects genuinely interest me? Enjoying a school subject can be a useful starting point, but students also need to understand the professions connected to it.
- Am I choosing a career because my friends are? Comparing plans with classmates can be useful, but another student’s ambitions do not necessarily suit everyone.
- Do my grades meet university entry requirements? Students need to research the academic criteria for their preferred courses and identify alternatives where appropriate.
- Have I developed skills beyond the classroom? Projects, extracurricular activities and relevant experience can help students demonstrate what they have learned.
- Can my family afford the course and destination? Tuition fees, the country of study and other education expenses should form part of the decision.
These questions can help students move from choosing a degree based on its name or reputation to understanding what studying and working in a particular field actually involves.
Why a subject preference is not enough
A student who enjoys biology might naturally consider medicine. However, an interest in a school subject does not automatically mean the student will enjoy the professional responsibilities associated with it.
Mahajan encouraged students to investigate the actual work involved in a career before making a commitment. The same principle applies to mathematics and physics: students should explore the range of professions that use those subjects rather than assume they lead to only one academic route.
Researching degree programmes, speaking with people familiar with a profession and seeking suitable practical exposure can give students a more realistic picture of their options.
This approach also allows students to discover alternatives they may not have previously considered.
Experience can offer more than certificates
Extracurricular activities, internships and projects can help students understand their interests while developing transferable skills. Mahajan advised students to record what they learn from these experiences rather than focusing exclusively on collecting certificates.
For example, a project may involve research, writing, teamwork or critical thinking. Reflecting on the work completed and the skills gained can help students explain their strengths when preparing university applications or considering future opportunities.
Career exploration should begin before the final school years, allowing students time to investigate different fields and build a profile around their interests.
Plan university applications before Grade 12
Mahajan recommended a gradual approach to career preparation.
In the earlier school years, students can explore subjects, professions and activities that interest them. As they progress, they can research relevant courses, build experience and compare possible education pathways.
By Grade 11, students should begin examining university programmes, study destinations, entry requirements and family finances. Grade 12 can then focus more closely on applications, supporting documents, entrance examinations and visa requirements where applicable.
For UAE families considering overseas education, researching these requirements early can help them understand the steps involved before application deadlines approach.
Parents should guide, not decide
Parents play an important role in career planning, but Mahajan urged families to give students room to explore their own preferences.
Rather than prescribing a particular profession, parents can ask what their children enjoy, what they would like to learn and which experiences might help them make an informed decision.
Families can also help compare university options, discuss realistic budgets and identify the next steps without expecting students to have their entire future mapped out immediately.
The aim is not to eliminate uncertainty from career planning. It is to give students enough time, information and practical exposure to make decisions based on a clearer understanding of themselves and the opportunities available to them.
Q1. What career advice was shared at Edufair Abu Dhabi 2026?
Career counsellor Dr Mauli Mahajan encouraged students to explore their interests, research professions, gain practical experience and consider university requirements and affordability before choosing a career.
Q2. What are the five major concerns students face when planning their careers?
They include choosing subjects, comparing their decisions with friends, meeting university entry requirements, building extracurricular achievements and paying for higher education.
Q3. Who is Dr Mauli Mahajan?
Dr Mauli Mahajan is the founder of MyCompassToday and 3E Worldwide. She shared career-planning guidance with students and parents at Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi.
Q4. When was Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi 2026 held?
The two-day event took place on October 17 and 18, 2026, at Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Q5. When should students begin planning for university?
Students can begin exploring subjects and professions during their earlier school years. According to Mahajan’s guidance, Grade 11 is an appropriate time to research universities, programmes, study destinations and budgets.
Q6. Should students choose a career based only on their favourite school subject?
No. An interest in a subject can be a starting point, but students should also investigate the responsibilities, qualifications and everyday work associated with the profession.
Q7. Do extracurricular activities help with career planning?
Yes. Relevant projects, activities and internships can help students explore career interests and develop skills. Reflecting on what they learned can help them explain their experience beyond simply listing certificates.
Q8. What role should parents play in their children’s career decisions?
Parents should help children explore their interests, research education options and understand costs and requirements. They should support informed decision-making rather than dictate a career choice.
