Young Generation Strikes Elusive Work-Study Balance for Success

A growing number of young people across the UAE are taking on what many consider an impossible challenge: working full-time while pursuing university degrees. But this isn't just about financial necessity anymore. It's reshaping how we think about education, career development, and what it means to be a student in today's economy.

**When Going Back to School Means Starting Over**

Rashid Mohammed Shiri made a tough call after years away from education. "After years of stopping, I returned to university seats, and the decision wasn't easy," he says. The responsibilities had piled up, priorities had shifted, and there was this nagging feeling that maybe the time had passed.

But here's the thing about going back to school as a working adult - it's not just about completing a degree. "What I discovered in this journey is that returning doesn't just mean completing a certificate, but restoring confidence in oneself," Shiri explains. The path might be longer, but it's filled with meaning that traditional students might miss.

**The Daily Grind Reality**

Hanan Salem Mohammed paints a picture that many working students know too well. She studies during work breaks, reviews lectures on her commute home, sleeps late, and wakes up early. "There are times I study during my work break, and sometimes I review lectures on my way back home," she says.

The exhaustion is real, but so is the sense of purpose. "This path taught me how to take care of my goals, even when I'm tired, and made me appreciate every achievement, even the small ones, because it came amid crowded circumstances."

**When Support Systems Fail**

Shaikha Rashid Al Hashimi hits on something that doesn't get talked about enough - the isolation. "A big part of the difficulty doesn't come from task pressure or lack of time, but from my constant feeling that I'm alone on this path," she says.

Her workplace doesn't accommodate her student status. When she asks for a simple schedule change for an exam, she's made to feel like she's falling short, despite giving everything she can. This disconnect between employers and employee-students creates unnecessary stress in an already challenging situation.

**What Employers Get Wrong (And Right)**

HR experts are starting to recognize that supporting employee education isn't charity - it's smart business. Said Obaid Al Tunaiji, an HR specialist, points out that enabling national talent to complete their academic studies has become a strategic necessity, not a luxury.

Government and semi-government institutions are leading the way with flexible work models, financial support through scholarships, and linking academic achievement to incentives and promotion opportunities. But there's still a gap between policy and practice.

The biggest challenges? Lack of understanding between work management and students, difficulty balancing academic burdens with job responsibilities, and strict conditions for some scholarships.

**Universities Need to Catch Up**

Yousuf Ahmed Al Hammadi, another HR expert, explains that universities play a crucial role too. Some are adapting with evening programs, online options, flexible assignment deadlines, and recognition of work experience. But others are stuck in traditional models that assume all students are free during business hours.

"Some universities may be unsympathetic to employees' circumstances by imposing morning attendance, or burdening students with exhausting assignments, or not allocating flexible programs for them," Al Hammadi notes.

**The Real Cost of Inflexibility**

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, a full-time employee and student, faces what no student should have to face - choosing between academic success and keeping his job. "I find myself sometimes forced to choose between academic success and continuing my work, and it's a harsh decision that no student should face," he says.

Faculty members who don't consider working students when scheduling exams or project presentations create impossible situations. Setting an exam in the middle of a work day or requiring group presentations when missing work isn't an option forces students into corners they shouldn't be in.

**Why This Matters Beyond Individual Success**

This isn't just about individual achievement stories. The UAE's economy benefits when workers upgrade their skills and knowledge. Companies get more capable employees. Universities expand their reach and relevance. And society gets citizens who understand both theory and practice.

Nour Mohammed Ali captures why people push through the exhaustion: "Working and studying at the same time isn't easy, but it's a rich experience full of lessons." She learned to be more organized, to value every minute, and most importantly, to appreciate the value of knowledge and work together.

The path is difficult, but it's possible. And with time, you don't just develop yourself academically - you build a strong personality capable of facing challenges and achieving goals. The question isn't whether this trend will continue, but whether institutions will adapt fast enough to support it properly.