AUC Graduates Face Difficulties Finding Jobs

BY MARIAM ABEL MONEIM

The growing rate of unemployment in Egypt has made it difficult for AUC graduates to find jobs; even those who graduate on the honor roll.

“The country’s turbulent political and economic situation definitely affects the number of available opportunities,” said Maha Fakhry Moussa, director of recruitment and employer relations at AUC’s Career Center.

Moussa added that because of Egypt’s current situation, employment has become more competitive and companies are becoming more selective.

“I tried applying for a job at the CIB [Commercial International Bank], but couldn’t get one, given the slim chances of attaining one of their job slots,” said Abdullah Ragab, a graduating senior majoring in Economics.

Because the country is going through an economical upheaval and political unrest, the possibilities of finding a job has become very complicated, Ragab added.

Some job opportunities that were previously easy to apply for; have now become almost impossible to get

Adham El Badrawy, AUC economics alumnus, explained that after he applied in the top two companies he preferred, they did not have any vacancies.

“I’d rather be picky and wait than go for a job I’m not very fond of,” said Badrawy

He added that rather than waiting for vacancies to open up, he chose to pursue a Masters Degree.

“I cut out on many job opportunities because one can’t afford to have the same capacity of people working,” said Amr Zaki, head of an Egyptian security company named Care Services.

He explained that during the past few years, limiting the human capital has helped his company grow as it has decreased the profit outcome and increased the profit income.

“Not all opportunities are limited; it varies from one job to another,” said Ahmed Soliman, chairman of International Company for Trading.

He stated that every month, only one or two job opportunities open up.

“The number of customers who are financing their projects have decreased a lot, and are now minimalized due to the worry of the unstable market,” Soliman added.

When employers cut opportunities and lay off workers, the amount of employed individuals in the labor force decreases, as do fresh grads.

Due to employment difficulties, students resort to working for family-owned businesses.

“I tried applying to three or four different jobs and couldn’t get any, so I had to work in my family business for the time being,” said Seif Motawe, AUC journalism alumnus.

Moussa explained that political and economic conditions are not the sole reasons behind students’ inability to find jobs.

“Lack of focus on the career planning process and missing on [balancing extracurricular activities with academic standing] coupled with lack of direction are some of the factors that definitely affect the process of finding satisfactory employment,” she said.

According to Trading Economics’ website, Egypt’s unemployment rate increased from 8.96 percent in July 2010 to 13.3 percent in July 2013.