An information systems graduate from the Class of 2011, Omar Shaath now works with TASMU, Qatar’s smart infrastructure program through the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
You graduated ten years ago, but can you tell us a little bit about the initial transition into your work life?
My first job was at Ooredoo. It was the perfect job for an information systems graduate because I ended up in project management as the focal point between the marketing team and the IT team. For me, it was a perfect fit.
It was a highly pressured position, but the real value I got from CMU was the ability to work under pressure, the communication skills and the time organization. I’m very thankful.
Tell us about your decision to do graduate studies.
At CMU we say, “My heart is in the work.” I think it’s actually, “My heart is in the learning.” CMU made me thirsty for knowledge.
In university, you finish classes and then you still have a lot to do at home. When I started at Ooredoo, I realized when I finished work, I had nothing to do at home. This is not challenging enough for me.
So just one year after graduation, I started pursuing my online degree through the University of Liverpool.
Did you feel prepared for graduate studies?
I was very hesitant at first, but I had a lot of support from CMU. I reconnected with my professor, John Gasper, for my master’s recommendation, and he went on to help me with the analytics part of my thesis. Dean Selma always helped me a lot and advised me. The faculty are always so kind and approachable.
Can you tell us about how your career has unfolded so far?
I started as a coordinator, responsible for a team of, I think, four or five people. Three years later, I made the jump to a project manager at what was then called ICT Qatar; today it is the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
One year later, I started working with TASMU.
What is TASMU?
It is part of the Ministry of Transport and Communication, and it’s a project that, honestly, is a worldwide pioneer in smart infrastructure. We are transforming not just a city, but an entire country to become smart.
It’s a huge, strategic partnership to connect not just the public entities, but also the private entities and people interested in innovation, whether they are in academia, research institutes or entrepreneurship.
It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’ve been blessed to be the project manager.
Do you think about the way that CMU has had an impact on your life and career?
I think it changed my mindset. I would say today, I’m very open-minded and I like to discuss things. I know that this is something people wouldn’t necessarily think of coming from university, but even raising my kids, I want them to understand why and how things happen.
What does a career in technology mean to you?
For me, it’s the future. It’s about making life easier and creating more, and different, career opportunities. People think that technology will put us out of business or out of our jobs. History proves that positions change and people have to change as well.