At the 2025 Web Summit Qatar tech conference, the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) buzzed with a vibrant web of interconnectivity, driven by innovation and media. Amidst this dynamic gathering of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and media representatives, the two-story purple pavilion of Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) stood out prominently.

However, the influence of NU-Q extended far beyond this focal point, as alumni were seen thriving in various roles across the venue. Five alumni, each with a unique experience that exemplifies the university’s legacy at the Web Summit, shared their transition from college life to the working world. 

One of them was Sudesh Baniya, a 2024 NU-Q journalism graduate who now works as a sports journalist at Doha News. At the Web Summit, he was stationed in the Media Village—a dedicated space for reporters from various news outlets to set up their on-field offices. For him, the transition from student to professional has been both rewarding and challenging. 

“I took journalism in the first place because it’s a job that allows you to learn every single day and grow with the world,” he said. “But one thing I discovered about the field, as well as working in general after I graduated, is that it’s very cut-throat.”

During his time at NU-Q, Baniya gained experience by freelancing for news outlets outside of Qatar. What motivated him about this practice was the opportunity to meet new people, listen to their stories, and document them. Now, as a reporter at one of Qatar’s leading news publications, he has had to adapt to the demands of the profession – finding stories on tight deadlines, managing an intense schedule, and balancing his personal life. 

“At university, we are allowed to take our time because the focus is always on learning, but in the job market, it’s about delivering,” he said. “So if you want to work in the media, don’t wait for an opportunity to knock. Instead, you should be the one knocking.”

This proactive mindset defined Baniya’s approach throughout his college years. As a journalist specializing in sports, he frequently attended sporting events, building many of his industry connections through these experiences. But beyond networking, he also stressed the value of honing one’s craft independently, urging media students to take initiative and make the most of their time, especially when opportunities seem scarce. 

However, even for those who seize opportunities and prepare well, the transition from university to the career world often brings anxiety – a shared experience for many stepping into a new chapter. This is something Ingkar Dauletkanova, a 2024 journalism alumna and content specialist at Snoonu, reflected on deeply. 

“The anxiety you feel when you’re almost stripped of your comfort zone without any plans for the future is very hard,” she said. 

Before graduation, Dauletkanova felt confident in the experiences she had gained throughout university. She planned to enjoy the summer visiting Kazakhstan to reconnect with her family and then land a job right after. Although she was fortunate enough to find a position within a month, the stress of uncertainty during that short period was still overwhelming. Reflecting on this, she advised students to start their job search right after graduation or even before. 

This is a strategy Xinqyu Qin, a 2023 communication alumna and now a game designer and associate production manager at Mezan Studios, took to heart. However, her journey, like many others, was anything but linear. 

Qin visited the NU-Q pavilion at the Web Summit to showcase a game she developed during her Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) fellowship at the university in 2022. The inspiration behind this project traces back to a simple decision she made out of curiosity during the spring semester of her sophomore year. Like many students at NU-Q, Qin initially envisioned her career in communication as focusing on filmmaking and production. However, everything changed when she enrolled in a “Mobile Game Design” course taught by Associate Professor Spencer Striker – a decision that ultimately reshaped her entire career path. 

“After taking the class, I designed my own game, creating prototypes with Adobe XD with Professor Spencer,” she said. “Then, I became his research assistant, working on a mobile game called Dr. Sara during the summer.”

While actively exploring her newfound passion for game design, Qin also stayed connected to her communication roots, completing internships in broadcasting and theater. Through these diverse experiences, she realized her most rewarding pursuit lay in gaming. Yet, by the start of her senior year, she faced a pivotal question: Should she apply for graduate school or dive straight into the job market?

“At that time, I wasn’t entirely sure, so I decided to pursue both,” Qin said. 

 But the answer to her dilemma came in the most unexpected way. During a meeting with Professor Gregory Lowe to discuss her recommendation letter for graduate school applications, he mentioned a newly established gaming company that was looking for an employee. Later, he wrote her an introduction letter to the company. Qin has been working there for two years now. 

“I had so many options, but I didn’t know where to go,” she said. “Still, after doing everything you can and trying your best, you never know which step you took earlier will lead to the next – and eventually to the decision you’ll make later.”

Reflecting on this, Qin emphasized the importance of staying calm and trusting the process when navigating the uncertainty of where life might take you. 

Just steps away from Qin’s panel discussion, another NU-Q alumna was making her mark at the Web Summit. Tianyi Geng, a 2024 journalism graduate and now an account executive at Brown Lloyd James (BLJ) Worldwide, was stationed at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) booth. As an embedded staff member for one of BLJ’s client companies, Geng serves as a marketing officer at QSTP, overseeing the company’s promotional efforts.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to start my career this way,” Geng said. “I’m learning how a local government company operates while also understanding how a PR agency collaborates with its clients.”

Securing this role, however, came with its own set of challenges. With only one month to find a job before returning to China—a deadline set by her mother—Geng faced immense pressure. After three weeks of distributing her resume with little progress, she finally received a job offer in her fourth week of searching. Now, nine months into the role, she reflected on what the experience has taught her.

“As a journalism major, I used to think my career options were limited to news agencies like Al Jazeera or The Peninsula,” she said. “But working closely with a technology company has shown me how journalism and strategic communication can intersect in unexpected ways.”

 Geng’s story highlights how a journalism degree, paired with a strategic communication minor, opens doors to diverse fields and opportunities. Similarly, a communication degree offers its own versatility, as demonstrated by Hashem Ahmed, a 2024 communication graduate and junior producer at Euronews, who was also working at the Web Summit.

“Coming from a communication background, I wasn’t initially trained in journalism and didn’t fully understand it,” Ahmed said. “I struggled with journalistic writing and scripting at first.”

However, his previous internship experience at a production company, where he worked on shooting commercials during his sophomore and junior years, helped him build the skills needed to excel in his current role as a producer.

Beyond his professional growth, Ahmed also found a personal highlight during the Web Summit: spotting NU-Q’s pavilion and reuniting with his Wildcat community, which brought him a sense of warmth and pride.

“I was surprised because I thought Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ) might be here, given their focus on computer science and AI,” he said. “I’m proud that we’re here.”

For Ahmed, NU-Q’s presence at one of the Middle East’s largest tech conferences is significant because the university’s discussions often revolve around AI, technology, and media – topics that align perfectly with the conference’s focus.  

“It’s important for us to be here because knowledge is often kept behind closed doors until the media comes in, and they open those doors for everyone, ” Ahmed said. 

This spirit of opening doors and sharing knowledge was evident throughout the Web Summit Qatar, which served not only as a platform for innovation but also as a space where NU-Q alumni reconnected, shared their journeys, and reflected on their growth since graduation. Conferences like these remind the community of the value of staying connected—not just to their alma mater but to the broader community of professionals who continue to learn, adapt, and thrive in an ever-changing world.