Stop Chasing Every Skill Trend: How UAE Professionals Should Pick Courses
Not every trending course is worth your time. UAE educators say start with your own skills gap, then pick the degree, certificate or short course that closes it.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
Professionals do not need to sign up for every course or qualification that is trending in the job market, educators told a Gulf News LevelUP panel. The better approach, they said, is to find where your own skills fall short, work out what employers are likely to need, and choose learning that closes that specific gap.
If you feel pressure to keep stacking certificates as new technologies and roles appear, the message is simple: learn with a clear purpose.
Be trend-aware, not trend-driven
Prof. Darshita Fulara Gunwant, Assistant Professor at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, said everyone should keep an eye on emerging trends without letting them decide what to study. "Learning is good, but learning without direction is not necessarily useful," she said.
Her example: a finance professional may need to understand how AI can be applied to finance, rather than take a whole new qualification in AI.
The starting point is an honest look at where you stand. Prof Gunwant suggested asking two questions:
- Where do I stand right now?
- Is this skill actually required for my career?
Look beyond your current job description, because employers' needs change. "Skills we had 10 years ago may no longer be relevant today," she said. Her answer is to strengthen your core area while building knowledge in neighbouring disciplines.
Degree, certificate or short course?
Once the gap is clear, the format follows from it. The panel's guidance:
- Postgraduate degree: can make sense if you are planning a major career change.
- Certification, micro-credential or short course: often a better fit when you need a specific skill quickly.
"One size does not fit everyone," Prof Gunwant said. Understand your requirement first, then check market demand and relevance.
More degrees will not fix uncertainty
Dr Ravi Chatterjee, Associate Professor at Symbiosis International University Dubai, warned that uncertainty pushes some people to keep adding qualifications because they are unsure how the market will move. "Adding degrees is one thing; knowing how to execute is another," he said.
His advice is to pick programmes that let you apply what you learn, such as internships, projects or a master's thesis.
He also suggested building the skills that come up again and again across different roles and industries, whichever path you take. A quick way to spot them is to read live job ads in your field, for example on the JobXDubai jobs board, and note what repeats.
The panel also stressed that technical skills need to be matched with communication, leadership, negotiation, strategic thinking and empathy. That echoes what UAE employers say they want, as we covered in Communication Tops UAE Employers' Wish List as Human Skills Lead Hiring.
A simple timeline to follow
Prof Gunwant recommended giving the process time:
- Diagnose (about 3 months): map your current skills against what your role and target roles need.
- Focus (6 to 9 months): work on 1 or 2 priority areas only.
- Review: check whether the learning has delivered a meaningful return before you start the next thing.
If AI skills are on your list, apply the same test first. Our piece Would You Take a Pay Cut for AI Skills? 67% of UAE Workers Say Yes shows how strong that pull can be.
Key takeaway
Do not let trends pick your courses. Start with an honest skills gap check, choose the format that fits the gap, favour learning you can apply, and build skills that repeat across many roles, alongside communication and leadership.
FAQ
Should I do a course in AI to stay employable?
Not necessarily a full qualification. The panel's example was a finance professional who may need to understand how AI applies to finance rather than pursue a new AI qualification.
How do I find my skills gap?
Ask where you stand now and whether a skill is actually required for your career, looking beyond your current job description. Prof Gunwant suggested spending about 3 months on this diagnosis.
Is a master's degree better than a short course?
It depends on your goal. A postgraduate degree can suit a major career change, while a certification, micro-credential or short course may be better when you need a specific skill quickly.
Which skills are worth building?
Skills that are repeatedly required across different roles and industries, according to Dr Chatterjee. The panel also said technical skills should be paired with communication, leadership, negotiation, strategic thinking and empathy.
Further reading
The UAE week, every Monday
The week's stories on jobs, visas, money and daily life in one short email. Unsubscribe in one click.
