AUS’ School of Business Administration launches Career Design Lab

As part of the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Silver Jubilee celebrations, the School of Business Administration (SBA) is launching a Career Design Lab to enhance its educational and career services. 

The Career Design Lab will include SBA career services for students, fresh graduates and employers. The Lab will also incorporate the iLead Career Preparation Program and Executive Education for Professionals.

“SBA has positioned itself at the forefront of business education in the region. The launch of the Career Design Lab comes as part of our continuous efforts to influence the educational and professional landscape of the UAE. Our students, alumni, staff and professional partners will be able to benefit from a plethora of services. We hope these enhanced services will be translated into more internships, career placements and market-led education that expands expertise and impact. The launch of the Career Design Lab could not have come at a better time as we celebrate the AUS Silver Jubilee and the university’s vision for the future,” said Dr. Narjess Boubakri, Dean of SBA.

With the iLead Career Preparation Program, the Career Design Lab will engage students as early as their first year. This will give them an early professional start and a broader understanding of personal growth, career exploration and the tools to perform internship and job search. Other student career services within the Career Design Lab include internship placements and recruitment events and services. Senior students play a peer support advisor role to their younger students.

The Career Design Lab will also become the main point of contact for SBA’ professional and community partners for their engagement needs with the School, including corporate social responsibility activities and volunteering, and class lectures. Employers and industry partners will also have the opportunity to tap into SBA faculty for specially designed executive programs that meet their training requirements. 

“Career development and upskilling is an ever-evolving process for young and experienced professionals. We have advanced our services to provide holistic and easily accessible resources and services to our students, industry and community partners. The Lab will strengthen our work with leaders and professionals to improve their management skills and expertise, and further develop our links with the business community, serving both our partners and students. We are excited that the launch comes as part of the university’s celebration of 25 years of excellence, and we look forward to continuing our contribution to its success,” said Eleni Papailia, Senior Manager, Career Design Lab.

SBA is a leader in providing a rigorous and forward-looking education to future business professionals. QS World University Subject Rankings (2022) ranked AUS graduates who have studied business and management and accounting and finance as the top choice for employers in the UAE.

Having graduated more than 5,682 students since 2001, SBA alumni are employed by some of the business world’s major players, including Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS), KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Mastercard, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, CitiGroup, Emirates Group, Etihad Airlines, Boeing, Procter and Gamble (P&G), Google, Unilever, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), L’Oréal and PwC. Alumni are also employed in local and regional organizations such as the Chalhoub Group, Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), the Apparel Group and OMNICOM Media, as well as government entities such as the UAE Ministry of Economy, Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Sharjah Finance Department and many more.

For more information about the Career Design Lab, visit www.aus.edu/sba/partnerships/internships-and-placement.