Rasha Abdulsalam, an alumna of Al Ain University, turned her determination to balance motherhood, education, and work into an inspiring success story.
Rasha Abdulsalam, an alumna of Al Ain University, turned her determination to balance motherhood, education, and work into an inspiring success story. Today, she continues to pursue her career in accounting, proving that ambition and effective time management can overcome any circumstance or stage of life.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Rasha. I am a proud UAE national. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Al Ain University, which was the beginning of my career and helped me enter the workplace and prove myself. I currently work in accounting at a school. I am also a mother, and I am proud of my ability to balance my role as a mother and my family responsibilities with my studies, work, and ambitions. Thankfully, every stage of my life has taught me something new and given me valuable experience.
Tell us about your university memories and what Al Ain University means to you.
My memories at Al Ain University are very special to me. It was a stage full of challenges and responsibilities, but also many beautiful memories. I am thankful that I was able to complete this journey successfully. For me, the university is not just a place where I studied; it is an important part of my life. Whenever I remember it, I feel proud of what I have achieved.
Tell us about your educational journey.
My educational journey was a big challenge for me because I was a mother with responsibilities at home and towards my children. I was even pregnant during my studies. It was not easy to balance all these responsibilities with my studies, but I was determined to complete my education and achieve my goal. Thankfully, I graduated with a GPA of 3.96, which is one of the achievements I am most proud of. It taught me that when a person sets a goal, they can achieve it with determination and faith.
Why did you choose your major, and what are your future ambitions?
I chose Accounting because I like numbers, organization, and calculations, and I felt that this major suited me. Thankfully, after graduation, I started working in the same field, which allowed me to use what I learned at university in my work. My ambition is to continue developing my skills and experience, learn new things in my field, and achieve greater success in my career.
Tell us about your career journey.
After graduation, I started my career in accounting. Thankfully, I was able to use what I learned at university in my work. I currently work in accounting at a school. My choice to work in the education field was not random. As a mother, I wanted a job that would help me balance my work and my children. Having my holidays at the same time as my children’s holidays has helped me a lot. Over the years, I have learned that success at work is not only about having a degree and experience. It also requires flexibility, good time management, working well with others, and taking responsibility.
How did your studies at Al Ain University support your career?
My studies at Al Ain University gave me a strong foundation in Accounting and helped me a lot when I started working. They also taught me commitment, time management, responsibility, and how to deal with work pressure. I will always remember Dr. Amer, may God bless him. He was one of the people who had a positive influence on me during my studies, and I saw him as a role model. I always wanted to be a successful and special person like him and to leave a positive impact wherever I work, just as he left a positive impact on me.
What are the main challenges you face in your current position?
One of the main challenges in accounting is the need to be very accurate, because even a small mistake can affect the work. The job also requires managing many tasks, meeting deadlines, and working with different people and departments. I deal with these challenges by planning ahead, setting priorities, and checking my work regularly.
What are the main achievements you are proud of since graduation?
Honestly, I do not measure my achievements by the number of courses or awards. I consider my biggest achievement to be my ability to balance being a mother, taking care of my family, working, and continuing to develop myself. I always try to learn new things that can help me at work, such as Excel, different programs, modern technology, and Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, I enjoy learning new hobbies. One of the things I really enjoy is designing and creating art pieces because it gives me a chance to be creative and take a break from work and responsibilities. I believe that everyone needs time for the things they enjoy because happiness and balance help us give our best in life and at work. I am very proud of the balance I have achieved.
In your opinion, what is the graduate’s role towards the university and the community?
I believe that a graduate’s relationship with the university does not end after graduation. It is important to stay connected with the university, share experiences, and represent the university in a way that makes it proud. As for the community, I believe everyone can serve their community in their own way, whether through their work, experience, helping others, or sharing what they have learned. Everyone has a role to play in the community.
Based on your personal experience, how can you balance social and professional life?
I believe that time management and setting priorities are very important. I am a mother, I have a home, children, work, and many responsibilities, but at the same time, I do not want to forget myself. I always try to make time for my family, work, myself, hobbies, and health. Of course, we cannot give everything the same amount of time every day, but I try to give each part of my life the attention it needs without putting too much pressure on myself. Taking care of our happiness and well-being is important so that we can continue to give our best.
What books have had the greatest impact on your life?
Honestly, there is no specific book that I can say had the biggest impact on my life. My responsibilities at home, with my children, and at work leave me with limited time for reading. When I have time, I like to read the Holy Quran because it is very close to my heart and gives me the peace and benefit I need.
Based on your experience, what are the most important things a student or graduate should have?
I believe the most important things are commitment, accuracy, responsibility, and the desire to learn. Studying at university is different from working life. A degree gives you a strong foundation, but when you enter the workplace, you learn new things every day and gain experience over time. Every workplace has its own system, way of working, and requirements. That is why it is important to be ready to learn, adapt to the work environment, and develop yourself. You should not be afraid of making mistakes because we also learn from our mistakes. In Accounting especially, I believe honesty and accuracy are very important.
A final message to Al Ain University graduates.
To every graduate, I say: Be proud of what you have achieved, and see graduation as the beginning of a new stage, not the end of the journey. Never stop learning and developing yourself. Always consider continuing your education, whether through a Master’s or PhD, because learning has no age limit, and everyone has their own time and circumstances. One of my personal ambitions is to continue my studies, God willing. I am waiting for my children to grow a little older and for my responsibilities to become lighter. Even if I continue my studies when I am 50, I do not believe age is a barrier. As long as a person has the desire to learn and improve themselves, nothing can stop them. I wish all Al Ain University graduates success and the achievement of their dreams and ambitions.