My UAE: Noura Al Mubarak is all set to soar

The former aviation authority employee is looking at making a career switch to PR, and has big plans - academically, professionally and personally - all at 27.

Noura Al Mubarak credits her educational achievements to her family. Alex Atack for The National

Noura Al Mubarak grew up with a dream to be a pilot, and while that didn’t work out, she managed to get a job at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

“I always wanted to be a pilot, but that didn’t happen unfortunately. After graduating [from university] in 2010, I wanted a job in aviation … I got an offer from GCAA,” she says.

After spending a little over four years at the government department in the licensing and aeromedical and policy regulations and planning departments, the 27-year-old, who is from ­Dubai, decided to leave and divert her attention towards a career in ­public relations.

“I see myself in a management role, which provides an opportunity to grow professionally and contribute to the success of the company I work for,” she says.

Al Mubarak obtained a bachelor’s degree in information, technology and education from Zayed University, and also just last year completed her master’s in strategic public relations and applied communications.

She is inspired to achieve by her family, who she says supported her incredibly during her younger years. “This was the main reason behind reaching this level of education – to give them the harvest they planted in educating us.”

Al Mubarak may not have found her final career calling as yet – she’s still looking – but she does have some advice for her peers.

“Never let obstacles or people stop you from [getting] what you want. Obstacles are meant to be in everything we aim for to see if what we want is really worth fighting for.”

When she’s not searching for the perfect job or dreaming of being a mother just like hers someday, Al Mubarak says she enjoys doodling, reading books and watching movies.

And as for the one thing most people don’t know about her?

“I’m actually a really good public speaker – I am coherent, curious, ambitious, optimistic, athletic, artful and sometimes mysterious,” she says. “Many features in one soul.”

Quick chat

What are the five things you never leave home without?

My cell phone, hand moisturiser, chapstick, a doodling sketch book that I keep in my bag, and a black pen.

What car do you drive, and what does it say about your personality?

I drive a BMW (X5 Series); it’s savvy and sophisticated.

What is your favourite food?

Nothing special, but I like trying new dishes from different cuisines.

What is your most played tune in the car at the moment?

I turn up the radio most of the time. I listen to Dubai Eye (The Business Breakfast, Dubai Today and Now That's Entertainment) and Abu Dhabi Classic.

If you had a song as your life’s theme song what would it be, and why?

Home by Michael Bublé – it sums me up.

What is your favourite movie, and why?

Any movie with Zach Galifianakis. He makes me laugh so hard that tears run down my face. A comedy movie will always help me to de-stress.

Where do you enjoy hanging out in the UAE, and why?

I prefer quiet places. I would say I enjoy staying in a corner of a quiet coffee shop, away from disruption. Having a peaceful time helps in getting creative. My best ideas often pop up when I’m most relaxed and in a freethinking mood.

What is your favourite book, and why?

My favourite book is Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The book unravels the mystery behind success and explores the lives of the world's most successful people to figure out if they made it to the hall of fame with their innate traits or with a combination of hard work, practise, luck and favourable circumstances.

If you could have five celebrities around for a dinner party, who would they be and why?

I’d probably go for Roselyn Sánchez [pictured] – she seems funny and quirky; Hugh Laurie – he’d be great for conversation; Angelina Jolie – she’s beautiful and has a lot of opinions; David Beckham – I’ve always wanted to meet him in real life; and Rod Stewart – a wonderfully free and ­fun-loving person.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given, and by whom?

The best piece of advice was from my father. He said: “The man who never made a mistake never made anything.”