This month's featured Alumni is Faraan Sayed. Faraan graduated from SOAS University and is now working for the British Council in Qatar.
Doha is a small, family orientated city with a huge mix of cultures (Qatari’s being only a 12% minority!) and an impressive New-York style skyline along the seafront. It has rapidly developed in the past ten years, on the verge of becoming a ‘concrete jungle where dreams are made of’ and now there are always cultural events or festivals taking place. As with all Gulf countries, it’s extremely hot in the summer but the winter months are a perfect escape.
I work on researching and developing our partnership work in the region. By working with partner organizations we can create much larger, high impact scale projects in a range of fields from Arts, Education, Science and Sport. I also work on a number of Arabic language projects aiming to increase and develop Arabic language and culture in the UK.
At SOAS University I came across the British Council graduate scheme, in which one of its main criteria were hiring graduates with fluency in other languages. It’s a two year career development programme that places graduates in roles across the British Council offices around the world. Given my language skills in Arabic and Urdu, I was offered a role in Qatar, starting work straight away on our successful Qatar UK 2013 year of culture.
Due to the nature of the programme, I had a chance to develop a huge variety of transferable skills which led to a successful Dementia awareness campaign with my team, both of who have become good friends! It’s something we are all very proud of and 3FF gave us all the support to make it happen, as well as introduce us to some inspiring MP’s and local leaders while at the same time learning and promoting inter faith discussions. The experience gave me the confidence to know that I can be part of a successful team that can make a contribution to society, and so now in my career as my skills further develop, I hope to do similar projects on much larger scales.
My advice would be to always try to be involved in as many things as possible and always be proactive in making opportunities to gain new skills. My role needed a variety of skills: languages, presentation skills, formal writing and research, digital communication and team work. All of these skills came from being involved in a variety of activities throughout university, in my spare time and through enjoying having a variety of hobbies. Eventually you can specialize in some of these skills that will make you unique and also in demand. This for me has been far more valuable than any ‘networking’ or doing jobs or voluntary work simply for the sake of a CV.
Don’t be afraid to take opportunities that you are uncertain of and don’t get down about opportunities missed either, just see every opportunity as a learning curve and throw yourself into it.
Faraan is happy for Alumni to get in touch with him to ask any questions or seek any advice. You can find him on LinkedIn, or contact us directly for his email address.
Involved in anything interesting at present, using you skills you acquired on the 3FF program? Please get in touch with Alumni Committee member, Charly Burridge-Jones: [email protected]
- Tell us about Qatar?
Doha is a small, family orientated city with a huge mix of cultures (Qatari’s being only a 12% minority!) and an impressive New-York style skyline along the seafront. It has rapidly developed in the past ten years, on the verge of becoming a ‘concrete jungle where dreams are made of’ and now there are always cultural events or festivals taking place. As with all Gulf countries, it’s extremely hot in the summer but the winter months are a perfect escape.
- What type of work do you do for the British Council?
I work on researching and developing our partnership work in the region. By working with partner organizations we can create much larger, high impact scale projects in a range of fields from Arts, Education, Science and Sport. I also work on a number of Arabic language projects aiming to increase and develop Arabic language and culture in the UK.
- How did you end up working as a Partnerships and Programmes Manager for British Council Qatar?
At SOAS University I came across the British Council graduate scheme, in which one of its main criteria were hiring graduates with fluency in other languages. It’s a two year career development programme that places graduates in roles across the British Council offices around the world. Given my language skills in Arabic and Urdu, I was offered a role in Qatar, starting work straight away on our successful Qatar UK 2013 year of culture.
- Tell us about your experiences working with 3FF
Due to the nature of the programme, I had a chance to develop a huge variety of transferable skills which led to a successful Dementia awareness campaign with my team, both of who have become good friends! It’s something we are all very proud of and 3FF gave us all the support to make it happen, as well as introduce us to some inspiring MP’s and local leaders while at the same time learning and promoting inter faith discussions. The experience gave me the confidence to know that I can be part of a successful team that can make a contribution to society, and so now in my career as my skills further develop, I hope to do similar projects on much larger scales.
- Do you have any advice for those looking to get into a similar field?
My advice would be to always try to be involved in as many things as possible and always be proactive in making opportunities to gain new skills. My role needed a variety of skills: languages, presentation skills, formal writing and research, digital communication and team work. All of these skills came from being involved in a variety of activities throughout university, in my spare time and through enjoying having a variety of hobbies. Eventually you can specialize in some of these skills that will make you unique and also in demand. This for me has been far more valuable than any ‘networking’ or doing jobs or voluntary work simply for the sake of a CV.
- Anything else?..
Don’t be afraid to take opportunities that you are uncertain of and don’t get down about opportunities missed either, just see every opportunity as a learning curve and throw yourself into it.
Faraan is happy for Alumni to get in touch with him to ask any questions or seek any advice. You can find him on LinkedIn, or contact us directly for his email address.
Involved in anything interesting at present, using you skills you acquired on the 3FF program? Please get in touch with Alumni Committee member, Charly Burridge-Jones: [email protected]