Career planning should begin early in high school, and it’s critical to match a student’s interests and aptitude before guiding them towards future academic and career opportunities, highlighted educators and career counsellors during a panel discussion at Gulf News Edufair Abu Dhabi, currently under way at Millennium Downtown Hotel and open until tomorrow.
Early identification starts in middle school
Panelists say starting career planning in middle school helps students make informed choices well before key academic decisions are made.
“Starting early is critical. I think a lot of students fall behind in this, and it’s our job to get them thinking about their future as early as Grade 8 or 9, getting them to start considering their interests and planning ahead,” said Kylee Ann Schnitzer, English Instructor and University Essay Coach at Score Plus Education.
At GEMS United Indian School, the process begins even earlier. “When it comes to exploring future careers, we start as early as Grade 6. Using the 8 Billion Ideas model, we encourage students to work in groups, research and create their own projects based on their interests. By Grade 11, we have a clear idea of their interests and aptitudes,” said Ariba Rao, School Counsellor.
Reshma Ibrahim Belma Kankoor, CU Guidance Counsellor at Asian International Private School in Al Dhannah City, echoed this approach. “The process of career planning can start as early as Grade 6. We begin by identifying academic performance, personality traits, and the skills students display in school. Then, we gradually explore their interests using various tools to understand which areas they’re truly putting effort into.”
Matching aptitude with personality and interest
Educators say that connecting interests and aptitude with personality ensures students pursue paths where they’re not only capable but also motivated, leading to better long-term academic outcomes.
“The most important thing is to align a student’s interests, aptitude, and personality,” said Rao. “A child may be interested in something like football, but we need to understand whether the aptitude is there too. When these areas align, it gives us a clearer picture and helps us guide the student forward on their journey.”
Schools in the UAE use various assessment tools to identify both the passion and aptitude of each student and create a more effective guidance process.
Rao pointed out that no one-size-fits-all solution exists. “There’s no single perfect assessment tool that’s perfect, so we always need to mix and match. At my school, I use different platforms and pick the best features from each to guide students.”
Aneeta Sumin Joy, School Counsellor at the International Indian School, Abu Dhabi, highlighted the role of psychological tools in this process. “Psychology assessments are important to understand a student’s potential and guide them in the right direction.”
Joy also spoke about how schools must support students in understanding their internal drivers.
“Schools must provide a safe and supportive environment where students can explore their potential and discover themselves. We conduct reflective assessments and collaborative activities that help them understand how their values align with their future goals.”
Real world experience
With careers changing fast and misinformation widespread, experts say it’s critical to guide students towards paths grounded in their strengths and aligned with real-world opportunities.
“Given the overload of information students have access to these days, many are confused by headlines and trending narratives. On one hand, some follow the hype without fully understanding what a field entails; on the other, some are uncertain simply because they lack the right information,” pointed out Andy Awad, Deputy Director at SABIS Regional Centre UAE. “Our role is to steer them away from the hype and connect them to reality,” Awad added.
Industry exposure is critical to achieving this. “At Sabis, we work with the right partners and companies to create industry-led workshops, giving students a more tangible, real-world perspective,” he said.
Joy added that internships offer valuable experience. “Internship programmes play a key role in giving students real-world experience and clarity about their future path.”
Building life skills
Meanwhile, experts emphasised that life skill training should begin early, as developing these competencies in school prepares students to handle the demands of university and adapt effectively to future careers.
“Standardised tests can seem quite generic, but with the right preparation, they actually help develop important skills needed for both university and the workplace. These include logical reasoning, time management, critical analysis, and vocabulary,” explained Schnitzer.
“For example, the SAT exam is heavily focused on logical reasoning. So yes, it’s about getting the score you need for college admissions, but it also assesses skills you’ll use in writing university essays and even in your future career.”
Quality over quantity in student portfolios
While extracurriculars play a significant role in university applications, educators stress that it’s equally important for students to choose activities that reflect genuine interest and meaningful engagement.
“Extracurriculars are becoming a key differentiating factor, but it’s important to remember that universities aren’t looking for a long list of 50 activities. They’re looking for three things: depth, growth, and impact,” said Awad.
