Leaders

The most remarkable journeys are not always linear, but are punctuated by interruptions and fuelled by resilience to start anew. Priya Sivakumar’s journey has been similar. A former homemaker, Priya transitioned into becoming a career counsellor in Dubai, traversing a journey that highlights the power of grit and reinvention.

Priya finished her degree in literature in 1995 and immigrated to Dubai in 2004, settling into family life. However, it was through working as a volunteer with the Dubai Tamil Sangam where her ability to connect with people became evident.

Inspired by that, she entered the field of HR in her mid-30s, doing jobs ranging from recruitment to sales and administration, each developing her abilities but leaving her hungry for more.

Life’s turning point came at a time when she was dealing with mental health challenges which prompted her to pursue a Master's in Applied Psychology at the age of 46. In due course of time, she not only overcame her personal struggles, but went on to help others find their strengths and live their purpose.

And now, as Career Counsellor at Maiz Consultancy, Priya applies psychology with a heart and understanding, to help students and professionals realise pathways to their bright futures.

Tell us about your professional journey that began with volunteering.

I graduated in 1995, when career options for women were limited. After marrying, I moved to Dubai in 2004 and initially stayed home to raise my children, admiring the respect women enjoyed there. In 2010, I began volunteering with the Dubai Tamil Sangam as an event coordinator.

My communication skills stood out, and five years of volunteering boosted my confidence.

Encouraged to explore HR, I completed a diploma from IGNOU with first-class marks and began applying for jobs. Despite limited experience, I secured an observership in recruitment, which sparked my HR career.

I started as a Recruitment Executive, but since I was paid minimum wage, I joined Prompt Computers as an Admin Coordinator, gaining multitasking skills and later moving into sales and accounts. Though the role offered stability, my passion remained recruitment, where I eventually secured a placement in Dubai.

What inspired you to pursue psychology and foray into career counselling?

I had a tough experience at a recruitment company where employee welfare was neglected, prompting me to quit after six months. Later, a period of inactivity and life changes, led to mental health challenges, Grandiose delusions likely linked to menopause. My wonderful family’s support helped me recover without the need to take medication.

Witnessing similar struggles among housewives inspired me to study psychology. At 46, I earned an MSc in Applied Psychology, addressing guilt, self-criticism, and assumptions.

Unable to specialize further in Dubai, I completed Mental Health Counselling in India, started online counselling, and created support groups for women and elders. Eventually, I discovered career counselling on LinkedIn—a perfect blend of psychology and motivation.

Introduce us to Maiz Consultancy. What are your responsibilities as a career counsellor?

After completing my International Certificate Coach training with Mindler, I joined MAIZ Consultancy as a freelance career counsellor, drawn by their strong “student-first” values.

My role has three stages: one-on-one sessions to explore students’ strengths and concerns, psychometric assessments to gauge interests and aptitude, and combining both to recommend suitable streams, courses, or career paths.

Beyond individual counselling, we conduct school workshops to promote career choices based on personal interests, not external pressures.

What challenges do you face as a career counsellor? How do you handle them?

The primary challenge in career counselling is the lack of student interest and parental interference. In online sessions, parents often answer for the child, so I ensure the first session is always with the student alone. Some students aren’t ready to reflect, and many seek last-minute “quick-fix” guidance, though career choices need thoughtful exploration.

Short attention spans add difficulty, so I let students lead conversations, guiding them with questions. Despite being smart and aware, they often lack direction and face academic and societal pressures, compounded by frequent curriculum shifts in Dubai. I advise parents to start counselling early, by Grade 7 for clearer goals.

What strategies do you use to help students build a strong career path?

Students usually come to me for career guidance, not direct counselling. Many don’t open up at first, so I either probe gently or reschedule, never forcing sessions. While parents often push for counselling, it only works when students actively participate; otherwise, even psychometric tests give misleading results.

I let students take the lead, while I guide from behind. For procrastinators, I share tools such as Stephen Covey’s time management matrix to clarify priorities. My role is to help them discover their strengths, interests, and potential, and guide them toward suitable careers without imposing choices.

I also counsel seniors nearing retirement, helping them uncover hobbies, interests, and new purposes for life beyond work.

What is your Success Mantra?

My philosophy is simple: when someone says, “You can’t do this”, my immediate response is, “I must”. That mindset pushed me to study psychology, despite everyone around me discouraging it. The same applies to any challenge — whether in business, learning, or service — I believe in trying. I want to keep learning, serving, and helping people, and I plan to keep trying until I’m 95.

Priya Sivakumar, Career Counsellor, Maiz Consultancy

Priya Sivakumar is a career consultant with Maiz Consultancy, Dubai, who merges psychological understanding with a student-centric approach in counselling individuals towards enhancing employability and finding fulfilling professional avenues.

A home-maker turned HR professional who went on to study for an MSc in Applied Psychology, Priya has experiences of transformation and perseverance that inform her work.