What should I focus on during my first six months in Dubai as an Indian master's student?
Plan your first six months in Dubai in three stages. Use months 1 to 2 to settle in, months 3 to 4 to build your profile with CV work and skills like Excel or Power BI, and months 5 to 6 to start applying. Stay patient if offers are slow.
Your first six months should be about settling in, building your profile and then starting your job search. Alumni experiences suggest focusing on one stage at a time.
Six Month Plan
| Timeline | Main focus and actions |
|---|---|
| Months 1 to 2 | Settle in: get comfortable with accommodation, learn metro routes, understand your class schedule and build a social circle |
| Months 3 to 4 | Build your profile: improve your CV, develop skills such as Excel or Power BI, attend mock interviews and connect with alumni |
| Months 5 to 6 | Start applying: use university job portals, apply for internships or jobs, attend interviews and complete any required university process before working |
If Things Move Slowly
- Do not panic if you do not find a job in the first few months.
- One alumnus found his first 4 to 5 months challenging for internships or jobs, partly because of his class schedule.
- His search became easier once his timings turned more flexible.
My Advice
Move through the stages in order. Use your first two months to settle in, the next two to strengthen your profile, and then become active in the job market.
Will you actually get a job after your master's?
Talk to a counsellor about real outcomes, salaries and which courses employers hire from.
More Post-study work questions
- Is Germany the best first priority country for my course and career scope for a Master's?
- What are the career prospects in Singapore after completing an MPH at NUS as an Indian student?
- Which Master's programs in Europe would be most suitable for someone with a B.Com (69%) and MBA (70%), given my interest in management-focused roles and lack of extensive work experience?
- Which master's course suits a Supply Chain Management graduate planning to study in Canada?
- Which is more suitable for my son's master's education: Dubai or the USA, considering cost, location, program variety, post-study work options, and pathways to permanent residency?
- Which country is more suitable for a Computer Science master's student who prioritizes lower costs and a strong job market, Germany or Ireland?
- After completing my studies, can I stay back in Ireland and apply for permanent residency for a Master's/Bachelor's?
- Can an Indian student get a job in Germany after a master's without prior work experience, especially with good German skills?
More Dubai questions
- How much tuition would I pay in Dubai at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level?
- Can you tell me the starting budget required for studying in Dubai and Germany?
- Do I need to submit an IELTS score for my master's application to universities in Dubai, given that my bachelor's was completed in English and I have an MOI certificate?
- Given my age and family situation, should I do a two-year part-time master's in Dubai, and can I find a law job with 48 months of experience?
- Can I work full-time while studying in Dubai, and if not, how does part-time work there compare to Singapore's part-time work policy for international students?
- How many years will I spend on popular undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Dubai?
- How much does it cost to pursue an MBA in Dubai compared to Australia, including tuition, living expenses, student visa, and health insurance?
- Will my visa be available for how long after I complete my course in Dubai?
