From Uncertainty to Action: How Djawher Found Her Path with CareerVillage

When Djawher started studying business administration in her first year at the University of the People, she was full of ideas but had no one to explore them with. None of her family, friends, or classmates had the relevant experience to be able to talk through her questions about school, careers, or entrepreneurship. So she did what a lot of students do: she started searching for answers online.

“I wasn’t sure about studying at an online university,” Djawher recalls. “I was also wondering if starting a business in 2026 was still a good choice for the future.” With no one nearby to ask, she turned to the internet. While searching for answers to her questions online, she found CareerVillage and began clicking through the site.

A Community That Showed Up

Djawher’s first experience on CareerVillage surprised her. She posted a question with several parts, unsure whether anyone would take the time to respond to all of it. Instead, she found a community of professionals who answered each part of her question, thoughtfully, quickly, and with real care.

“People answered my questions much faster than expected,” she says. “Their answers were detailed, helpful, and motivating. That made me feel supported and encouraged.”

*Part of one volunteer’s response to Djawher’s question*

That early experience gave her more confidence and motivation, something she hadn’t expected to find online. The advice she received was reassuring that starting a degree at an online university wouldn’t close doors for her later on. She learned that students who start online can still go on to pursue master’s degrees at well-regarded universities down the line.

Turning Advice Into Action

One theme came up again and again in the answers Djawher received: a degree alone isn’t enough to become prepared for a career in business. Volunteers encouraged her to build practical, in-demand skills alongside her coursework, like data analytics, financial literacy, digital marketing, communication, leadership, and business technology tools.

Djawher didn’t just take note of that advice. She acted on it. She enrolled in courses on Coursera in digital marketing, social media marketing, and communications, and has since earned professional certifications from Google (Project Management) and Meta (Social Media Marketing). CareerVillage volunteers also pointed her toward scholarship opportunities beyond her university, which she’s continued to pursue.

“That advice helped me understand that having a degree is valuable, but building practical skills at the same time is just as important,” she says.

Still Writing the Next Chapter

Djawher is still early in her academic journey, and she’s candid about not having every answer yet. She keeps a running notebook of business ideas and concepts she returns to and refines as she learns more. She knows she needs more experience and knowledge before she can tell which ideas are worth pursuing and which aren’t quite ready.

What’s changed is her sense of direction. “CareerVillage helped me shape this vision,” she says. “It encouraged me at the beginning, when I was unsure. The advice gave me confidence and helped me take action.”

Her Advice to Other Learners

Asked what she’d tell another student considering whether to ask a question online, Djawher didn’t hesitate:

“Don’t be afraid to ask your question, even if you’re unsure about the answer, or nervous, or you think people might ignore you. I sent several questions and actually got detailed responses I didn’t expect. Just try. You won’t lose anything by asking.”

She also encourages learners to explore the platform even before posting, to read through other students’ questions and the answers they’ve received. “There’s a lot of knowledge there,” she says. “Keep looking. Keep searching. Never give up.”

Looking Ahead

Djawher describes CareerVillage as more than a place to get answers. She calls it a supportive community, one where students without a built-in network of mentors can still feel heard, guided, and encouraged.