Page 8 - Al Ain Gazette - Abu Dhabi University

Alumni Spotlight

Shahinda Adib's Insightful Journey

Hi there, I'm Shahinda Adib, a 25-year-old enthusiastic journalist who earned a Bachelor of
Science in Broadcast Journalism from Abu Dhabi University—a program I like to refer to as the "7
in 1 major" because of the breadth of information it offers.
I had the good fortune to pursue a rewarding career as a multimedia journalist at several TV net-
works with various job titles after receiving my degree from ADU. Prior to that, I had the good
fortune to secure a four-month academic internship with CNN International,
where I worked as an assistant producer on Becky Anderson's flagship pro-
gram, Connect the World. Subsequently, I became an anchor for other sta-
tions, including Al-Aan TV, Dubai TV, and most recently, Al-Mashhad TV.
Several significant events have marked my career journey, such as earning
priceless on-air experience, developing a solid professional network, and
consistently honing my skillset in the fast-paced world of broadcast jour-
nalism. Recently, I have covered Cop28 and Expo Dubai 2020, two spec-
tacular and historic events.
One of the main things that helped me get ready for my current work
was my education at ADU. The extensive coursework and practical
training gave me a strong foundation in journalism and media. My
confidence and competence were enhanced by the university's
emphasis on practical skills and exposure to real-world settings,
which prepared me for the fast-paced world of television broad-
casting.
I would advise contemporary students to get involved in extra-
curricular activities since I did it without hesitation. I received
the utmost assistance from the university and the Young Arab
Media Program during my final year. I also recommend current
students to enroll in pertinent courses and secure reputable ac-
ademic internships. These extracurricular activities broaden
your skillset and provide you a taste of the field you're joining
(you have to be a runner from the start, so ask questions fre-
quently, and never wait to obtain information; instead, go find
it for yourself). Establishing professional connections with
other industry specialists is crucial as well; it can lead to career
guidance and opportunity.
Throughout my time at ADU, I found extracurricular activities and
internships to be quite beneficial. They facilitated my transfer from
academia to the workplace by enabling me to use theoretical
knowledge in practical situations. I was able to stay ahead of the
constantly changing media scene by enrolling in courses on the
newest media trends and technologies through The Young Arab
Media Leaders governmental program. One of my favorite mem-
ories about my time at ADU is how the supportive community and
collaborative learning atmosphere created a strong sense of belonging and lifetime friendships.
To sum up, my time at ADU had a significant influence on the direction of my career. I am appre-
ciative of the training and exposure I had at the Al Ain and AD Campuses, which helped me on my
path to becoming a broadcast journalist.

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