COVID generation youth in Oman are now innovating and employing themselves
Three young people in Oman have found their silver linings in the COVID-19 storm and are now navigating their own way out to make something for themselves.
While some still hope for something to turn up, these three young people are already creating their own opportunities.
Yahya Abdulsalam, 25, has already started his home-based videography business. He is now a wizard in creating video commercials suited for businesses. He can also mix sounds, video, and music in one file to suit the needs of any customer.
“I realize I have a talent in videography and started to explore it. It has nothing to do with my college specialization, but I know it is in demand.
“Videography is a skill many companies are looking for to advertise themselves. As a young and independent person, I can offer this service much cheaper than an established company and do the same job,” Yahya told the Times of Oman.
His specialty is Health and Safety Management, but because of the COVID-19 scarcity of jobs, he knows his videography business will lead to financial independence.
But Yahya is not the only one to realize that the labor market is saturated. The other young man looking to be on his own is 24-year old Mohammed Al-Bimani and who has decided to start a podcast and tell people’s stories.
Mohammed has found a gap in a market that allows them to develop their own ideas. He has already set up the podcast in his bedroom, and with the blessings of his parents, he is putting the last touches on his home broadcasting business.
“I know a lot of people want to listen to what is happening around them. They also want to connect with the community. The pandemic has isolated us, and even with vaccinations, many people still are skeptical about getting too close or mingling with the crowd. The podcast will give ordinary people a chance to connect by voices instead of by social media by relating their stories,” Mohammed said.
But the lack of jobs for normally vibrant young people is causing depression when they know they cannot use their education. Nusaiba Al-Haremi, 26, is a fresh psychology graduate who has failed to land a job but has now started her own practice at home.
“Instead of just waiting to be employed, my parents gave me the back room to receive patients who are suffering from the pandemic depression. They relate to me because most of my patients are young people about my age. They come to me because, being young, I understand the problems they go through,” Nusaiba said.
Yahya, Mohammed, and Nusaiba are starting the trend for unemployed but educated young people who are going on their own instead of waiting for an interview call that may never come. Even if they get the call, they will probably be rejected. “I had a few interviews, but I was rejected each time. This is the reason I decided to employ myself,” Nusaiba explained.