Why I Volunteer
Volunteering is the part of my life that feels most like me. Showing up for other people, with no reward except knowing I helped, keeps me grounded. Each role I've taken on has taught me something different.
Leading with INJAZ Qatar. As a group leader, I guided a team of 8 students in developing and pitching a business idea. I learned how to delegate, coordinate deliverables, and keep a team moving toward one goal. Leading peers is a different kind of challenge, because you have to earn trust rather than assume it.
Creating for the CUQ Wellbeing and Sustainability Clubs. I worked in marketing and visual media, designing posters, brochures, and campaign visuals in Canva to promote events to 50+ students. Here I learned that a message only matters if people notice it, and that good design makes people care about causes like wellbeing and sustainability.
Representing CUQ at the NAJAH University Fair. Standing in front of prospective students, presenting programmes, and answering their questions taught me to communicate clearly and with confidence. It was also a reminder of how much a friendly, honest conversation can shape someone's decision.
Supporting CUQ's biggest events. I've volunteered at Web Summit, TEDx, Orientation Day, and the Batch 2026 Graduation, handling logistics, guest registration, and attendee assistance across four large-scale events. The work behind the scenes isn't always glamorous, but it's what makes an event feel smooth for everyone who walks in.
Across all of it, I've learned to listen before I act, work with people from all walks of life, and stay steady when plans change. I always come away with more than I gave.
Hobbies That Build Real Skills
I believe the best hobbies quietly make you better at life. For me, that's gaming. It has a bit of a reputation, but here's what it has given me:
Patience. Some challenges don't fall on the first try, or the twentieth. Losing, retrying, and slowly improving has taught me to stay calm instead of giving up when things get hard.
Thinking on the spot. Games rarely go according to plan. Situations change in seconds, and you have to adapt right away. That has sharpened my ability to make quick decisions under pressure, which helps me at events where something unexpected always comes up.
Critical thinking and judgment. Every match is a stream of decisions: take the risk or play it safe, decide which resource matters most right now. Weighing options and living with the outcome has made me a more thoughtful decision-maker.
Teamwork and communication. In team games, nothing works without clear communication. Calling out information, listening to teammates, and supporting each other through mistakes builds the same skills I use as a group leader and event volunteer.
Bringing It Together
Volunteering and gaming feed each other. Both ask me to be patient, think clearly, and work well with others. Whether I'm leading a team pitch, designing a campaign, or coordinating a game plan, I'm building the same skills. My passions aren't just how I spend my time. They're how I grow.
What are you passionate about? I'd love to hear it.
