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Interview with Yaser Al Naimat

“My goal is to take on more senior leadership roles where I can influence policies and strategies, particularly in governance and infrastructure.”

Yaser Al Naimat
Water and Sanitation Advisor - HRM & Leadership
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Jordan

Master in Engineering Management | Batch 2025

Tell us about yourself and what made you choose your program at UniAthena? 

I have a diverse career background in management, customer service, and human resources, and currently I work with GIZ as a Water & Sanitation Technical Advisor, focusing on governance and leadership in the water sector. 

I chose the Master of Engineering Management at UniAthena because I wanted to strengthen my ability to combine technical project implementation with leadership and management. It’s the right program to bridge my experience with the advanced skills I need for future growth.

How do you think it will help you in your future career?

The program will give me the tools to manage complex projects, make strategic decisions, and lead teams more effectively. It will also help me integrate management principles with technical knowledge, which is essential for advancing into senior leadership or advisory roles.

What are you most excited to learn or explore next in your studies?

I’m excited to explore areas such as project planning, risk management, and resource optimization. These are directly relevant to my work, and I look forward to applying modern engineering management approaches to solve real-world challenges in the water and development sector.

Could you outline your career goals you have in mind for after completing your current academic journey?

My goal is to take on more senior leadership roles where I can influence policies and strategies, particularly in governance and infrastructure. Long-term, I aim to contribute to international organizations and lead large-scale projects that promote sustainable development.

How are you managing your studies along with the work in your personal life?

I manage by setting a clear schedule and prioritizing tasks. I dedicate evenings and weekends for studies while ensuring I keep balance with work responsibilities. Staying disciplined and organized helps me manage both effectively without feeling overwhelmed.

Share a specific example of a challenging goal you set for yourself and successfully accomplished. What did you learn from this experience?

At GIZ, I took on the challenge of creating a project data management system that complied with strict data protection requirements. It was outside my comfort zone, but I learned new skills, implemented the system successfully, and saw it benefit the team. From this, I learned persistence, adaptability, and the importance of structured problem-solving.

From your experiences so far, what personal qualities do you think are important for achieving success? 

Resilience, adaptability, and strong communication. These qualities have helped me remain effective under pressure, motivate teams, and build trust whether in customer service, management, or advisory roles.

Tell us about a time when you stepped outside your comfort zone to take on a leadership role. What was the outcome?

When I became District Manager at T-Mobile, I was responsible for leading several store managers, some of whom were more experienced than me. At first, it was challenging, but I focused on building trust and collaboration. As a result, performance improved across the district, and I gained confidence in my leadership.

If you could recommend one book that you believe everyone should read, what would it be and why?

I would recommend Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. It shows how true leadership is about trust, teamwork, and serving others. The lessons apply to any field and are especially relevant for anyone who wants to build strong and motivated teams.

What is your dream job and what motivates you about it?

My dream job is to work in an international development organization, managing large-scale projects that address global challenges like water scarcity, governance, and climate change. I’m motivated by contributing to solutions that go beyond one country and help communities worldwide.

What advice would you offer to professionals who are just starting their careers based on your own experiences?

I would advise them to stay open to learning from every experience, even if it’s not their dream job at first. Build both technical and soft skills, because success requires both. Be adaptable, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and always focus on building strong relationships and communication skills.

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