For short-term courses of six months to one year, do I have to get a job within that period to convert my visa to a work visa in UAE?

No, you do not need to get a job during your short-term course to convert your student visa to a work visa in the UAE.

You cannot directly convert a student visa to a work visa while studying. To switch, you must secure a full-time job offer from a UAE employer, who will then sponsor your work visa. This process is separate from your course duration and requires you to move from student to work visa status with employer sponsorship.