Meet Emirati HR manager Marwa Taymour who landed her first job at 16

IT’S OK TO BE SCARED, BUT IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE RISKS, SAYS MARWA

‘Start young, be brave and always think a step ahead’. This is the advise from a young Emirati woman who has moved up the highly competitive corporate ladder after defying gender and age bias.

Determined to move ahead and take bold steps, Marwa Taymour, currently the human resources country manager in for UAE and Kuwait with GE Renewable Energy, got her first job when she was only 16 years old, after attending an employment fair for fresh graduates.

“I can’t hire you, because you’re not at legal age yet,” the hiring manager had bluntly told her. Before that, the organisers of the event almost declined to let her in, saying that the law wouldn’t allow them to hire her. But Marwa’s was determined and she remained at the job fair until it ended.

Sharing with Gulf News her early experience, Marwa, now 30, said: “As she (the hiring manager) left the building, I asked her to just interview me and then make the choice to reject me. An hour later, she said: ‘I can’t hire you, but I can give you a part-time experience.’ I am very passionate about moving forward, taking new steps. I always ask for more and I’m focused on what’s the next step.”

Balancing work, academics

Marwa’s persistence paid off. She worked as a customer service officer at a bank while attending Canadian University Dubai CUD). She earned a BSc degree in Marketing, worked in the banking sector, then transitioned to HR when offered the opportunity to work on her employer’s Emiratisation programme. Her successful development of the bank’s Emiratisation strategy led them to offer her the role of Emiratisation Manager.

Then she moved to a major regional construction company, where she quickly rose up the HR ranks to become group senior human resources strategy and organisational development manager while she was still in her 20s. To prop up her credentials, she also earned an MBA in Human Resources from CUD.

Looking back at her career so far, Marwa told Gulf News: “The real challenge that I have faced, which I imagine is related to an unconscious bias, has been my gender and my age. The solution was to break through the stereotypes by proving myself. I led by example,” she added.

To young women looking to begin their careers, she had this bit of advise: “Be brave, as much as possible and always voice your opinion, without fear of failure.” She further said: “We talk about being relevant and accepted, but

Motherhood has been a whirl that has taken over my life, not only emotionally but mentally as well. It has changed my standpoint towards what we should focus on for our coming generations. social pressures can often weigh you down. It’s OK to be scared, but what’s more important is to take risks that bring your creativity and originality out in the open. The world will always need that.” she added.

Marwa in her own words

“I enjoy reading books that revolve around psychology and leadership. Some of my favourites include The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr Joseph

Murphy, the Mindset by Carol S.

Dweck and Back to Human by

Dan Schawbel.

Motherhood has been a whirl that has taken over my life, not only emotionally but mentally as well. It has changed my standpoint towards what we should focus on for our coming generations. “I have two children, who are one year apart — Yusuf, 5, and Layan, 4. I must admit that they present yet another level of challenge, joy and curiosity. I learn from them and explore their world from a different perspective as they continue to amuse me with their enthusiasm. I am trying to enjoy the ‘learning process’ of every role I hold during my journey.”

Take risks that bring your creativity and originality out in the open. The world will always need that.”

Marwa Taymour | HR country manager, GE