By Ghadeer Ghloum

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti citizens face various challenges in their professional lives, including working in a place that is irrelevant to their degree. Despite a plethora of opportunities available in the state, many locals end up in careers unrelated to their field of study, resulting in a significant lack of motivation and purpose. Kuwait has been known for its emphasis on education and human development, with a majority of its citizens highly educated and holding various degrees and qualifications.

However, despite their education and qualifications, many Kuwaiti citizens are expressing their dissatisfaction with their jobs in the public sector due to lack of relevance and proper utilization of their skills and knowledge. Sara, a Kuwaiti who has been waiting to be hired for more than a year, shared her struggles with Kuwait Times. “I graduated as a computer engineer from one of Kuwait’s best universities. However, after applying for a job in the public sector, I got a job as an ICT teacher in a public school.

I did go for the interview and took the exam, but found the whole thing was completely irrelevant to my field of study. The programs and the curriculum were all different from what I studied as a student of computer engineering,” she said. The public sector in Kuwait is known for its stability and attractive benefits, which makes it a popular employment option for many citizens. However, the focus on job security often comes at the expense of job satisfaction and career growth opportunities. As a result, many Kuwaiti citizens with degrees and qualifications find themselves working in positions that have little or no connection to their field of study, leaving them feeling unfulfilled and undervalued.

“When an individual has to work in a field they have no interest in, they may feel a lack of enthusiasm towards their job and lack the drive to excel. Simply put, employees are more likely to work harder when they genuinely enjoy their job,” Sara explained. In addition to reduced motivation, Kuwaitis who work in jobs unrelated to their field of study may also experience a lack of purpose. Since they are not working in their chosen profession, they may feel like they are not making a meaningful difference in their work. This lack of purpose can have a negative impact on their mental and emotional well-being, leading to depression, anxiety and other psychological challenges.

“I applied for another job, and the employers there told me the process is going to take a long time. They advised me to try and find another job for the time being, until they call me back. I knew then that I needed wasta (connections) to get hired in this place, because one of the main issues with the public sector in Kuwait is the lack of emphasis on merit-based promotions and recognition of skills and qualifications,” Sara said. Kuwaiti citizens’ complaints about the irrelevance of their jobs in the public sector with their degrees and qualifications are not unfounded.

They reflect the need for better recognition of qualifications and skills, merit-based promotions, opportunities for training and development and a proper utilization of knowledge and expertise. Addressing these issues would improve job satisfaction, motivation and the overall development of the country. Normally, employees desire to have an adequate relationship with their job. They long to have a sense of purpose, grow their career and strive to reach new heights that provide them with a sense of fulfilling their role as humans in society. Such feelings are more prevalent in individuals who work where their degree is relevant.