-“A training program”

-“7aga gowa el computer”

-“I think it’s a store at city stars 3rd floor”

-“Da eh da!??”

-“System and control down?!!”

-“Ma3rafsh!!”

-“Is it some kind of university session??”

“It’s the student career development office; it was the one organizing the employment fair last year.”

“It’s the office where I submitted my internship certificate.”

In order not to confuse you anymore, and give you accurate information I decided to pay a visit to the Student Career & Alumni Development (SCAD) office in the Communication, Development & External Relation - B5. 229 and uncover the real identity of the SCD Office.

Let me introduce to you Mrs. Nevine Fahmy and Ms. Noha Noaman the Students Career and Alumni Development Coordinators at the GUC.

1) What is the SCAD office? And what was the SCD?

SCD office at the GUC provides Services to GUC Students and Employers in the area of career development through diverse network connections & an intensive Enhancement program.

As we wish to prepare our Gucians for the market and aim for their market recognition, our Office is determined to create a link between the Industry and the University for the Students’ welfare. Also to create awareness regarding the university’s curriculum, facilities as well as to point out the GUC’s competitive edge as a unique university in Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, this will secure various Internship and Job opportunities and serve as a networking channel for our students which will furthermore simplify the employers’ recruitment process.

It is very important to mention, that the SCD office is now called the Student Career & Alumni Development (SCAD) office. As the GUC graduated its first Management class in 2007; one of the GUC goals is to keep in touch with its Alumni through our office, SCAD is the link between the CUC & its alumni through its various services, and accordingly the SCD changed in name to be SCAD office – Student Career & Alumni Development.

SCAD provides opportunities for students to discover challenges of future career fields. Develop and enhance work-related skills and Secure potential employment opportunities.

2) So what are the main goals behind having a SCAD office?

The main goals are to prepare our students for the job market, enhancing their skills, connecting them to the job market, and insuring the performance-related quality.

Another goal is to create the will within the students to be keen on getting their own internships.

3) What about the restrictions of completing certain training period to graduate?

Generally, in Egypt, if you are not forced to do something you won’t do it. Students are not knowledgeable enough to the importance of the internship; they only depend on private education, and private connections thinking that this is the key to success. Therefore the GUC believes that it’s vital to make the internship a must.

4) What are the problems you face with students?

Sometimes we have students who are not interested in conducting internships. Some of them don’t have a vision for tomorrow; they live today.

5) Could you please tell me about the new services for GUC ALUMNI?

We are still discussing the services and benefits that will be given to the GUC Alumni. But among our ideas is giving them a GUC Membership and Accessibility, Publications, Online and a Photo Gallery. Furthermore, we are working on a Career Network Service. One of the most important thing for alumni are the regular Events, Gatherings & Reunions, which keep them connected to each other and to the GUC – a place where they have a lot of memories.

6) And what is new with the SCAD office?

One of the new services of 2008 is that the SCAD staff is hosting an event that will connect the university with the industry in order to prepare the market for the new GUC calibers. It also aims to highlight GUC competitive advantages in the study programs, facilities, etc...

We are also holding workshops by inviting top managers from top companies to give presentations about various topics like (careers-planning-leadership-soft skills); this will expose students to managers of multinational companies and will also enable the students to taste the employment market.

7) What are you planning to do in the employment fair this year after the great success last year and the training and employment opportunities?

We are expecting a larger number of companies from each field participating in the employment fair this year offering more challenging opportunities to the students, as well as a wider range of career fields.