Passion is what matters in the changing landscape

Today's job market is looking for dynamic individuals with a diverse array of skill sets that can contribute to a larger growth picture across the space.
As such, the students of today are growing up and experiencing what we can call a vibrant landscape. The UAE as a global country, merging the east and the west, provides a fabulous opportunity to interact and experience a diverse sociocultural fabric, thus contributing in culturing a global mindset early on.
Today's market is therefore driven by the pursuit of passion and not just an endorsement on one's resume.
For example, someone who studies architect is not narrowed down to designing roads and buildings. He or she, can bridge their passion to create something new.
So how is it influencing decision-making in university course trends?
Well, we are already experiencing a changing landscape where careers are no longer rooted or fixated to one stream. We are also no longer confined or defined by what we studied in university, and everyone is free to explore above and beyond what they specialised in.
Whilst law, medicine and IT continue to enjoy great support in universities, the fact that we have alternate courses such as environmental engineering, climate change or liberal arts, show that there is great potential for making a career out of anything you want to.
There is no right or wrong career path, and even employers aren't focusing on particular streamlines. Someone with an arts degree can enter consulting practices and vice-versa.
As mentioned, passion is what seems to matter, and rightly so! We are in 2017.
In a connected world, where socio-cultural barriers are now being broken, students are now more aware and open than before.
The internet of things has largely contributed to raising this awareness. Students understand that career choices are wider and limitless; and that society and the job markets now have a scope for anything and everything. The possibilities are immense and considering one can travel any breadth of the globe to find a course of their choice, that freedom has provided them the confidence to pursue their passion.
While the US, Europe, Canada and Australia are the top choices for studying abroad, even their universities have recognised the student market is changing. Many of the universities have opened international campuses in the Middle East. The world has become more open and accessible, and choices are limitless.
Mihir Kapadia, CEO and Founder of Sun Global Investments