Although financial centers such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are starting to feel the pinch from the worldwide economic downturn, the job market in financial services and private equity remains fairly active, according to a report by BusinessWeek.
In fact, many business schools are even organizing “job treks” to the region, trying to connect students with alumnae in the area. Wharton plans to host a Global Alumni Forum in Dubai this March, bringing together Wharton faculty, alumni and current students. New York University’s Stern School of Business will be hosting a junket to Dubai and Abu Dhabi during spring break of 2009, with 23 students already signed up for the trip.
The Middle East is clearly a growth area for private equity and other financial jobs. But the business communities in these areas are closely-knit, which makes it difficult for any MBA or western professional to break in without prior experience in the region. Speaking Arabic and having a well-established network of connections is a start. Candidates should also have a deep understanding of the culture in the region. And as with other financial centers, landing a summer internship in the Gulf is still one of the best ways to gain experience and begin building your network. Not to mention getting a better idea of what it’s like to live and work in the Middle East.
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