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More Money, Rich Experience for College Part-timers at Gitex

DUBAI - Students believe a week off from their educational institutions is a small sacrifice to earn extra pocket money and gain experience at the Gitex Shopper and Consumer Electronics Expo 2008.

Every year, high school and university students apply for part-time jobs at the Gitex Shoppers where they are trained to promote brands and rake in higher sales.

Vansh Monga who studies at the American College of Dubai said with the amount of experience he has, working at the Gitex is a good option to earn around Dh4000-5000. “You sometimes earn more in one week than you can in a month in a regular job.”

Extra sales also mean a commission for the students.

Laura El-Rifai is working at Gitex to gain experience that will help her in her theoretical subjects. “We can apply ourselves in this environment. Also here we get to communicate with so many people and it helps build confidence.”

Tanya Daud enjoys working with people of her own age and finds the week an exciting challenge. “Talking to people, meeting targets, understanding marketing, it’s all about hands-on experience.”

Many universities in the UAE are encouraging students to take up part-time employment.

Osama Alsmadi from the AUS said catalogues and flyers were distributed in the colleges for part-time jobs at the Gitex. “I’m doing this for the income. I have spoken to my professor who will help me cope up with my assignments later,” Osama said.

Rinad Remawi of the same college said: “If you can manage your time appropriately and meet the deadlines then the faculty is supportive. Many students put in leave applications for a week which is generally approved by the college.”

“We have an 80 per cent compulsory attendance stipulation, so one week does not affect my attendance,” stated Pooja J. another lively part-timer at the exhibition.

The training and programme manager of one of the technology providers at Gitex said students are preferred as they do not have visa problems and do not require No Objection letters and have the flexibility to work.

afshan@khaleejtimes.com