Amman, April 9, 2026 

ARIJ organized a webinar titled “Distraction-Proof: Design Your Career Pathway”, bringing together more than 70 journalists in a live online session. The webinar featured researcher and former ARIJ Awards head of jury Dr. Nadia Al-Sakkaf and was moderated by ARIJ Senior Researcher Eman Qaisi.

The webinar explored practical strategies for building a clear and resilient career path in an increasingly complex and competitive professional landscape.

Dr. Al-Sakkaf structured the discussion around three key themes:

1. Decoding Professional Identity

Dr. Al-Sakkaf emphasized the importance of self-awareness in defining career direction. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their unique strengths and skills, and to identify what sets them apart in a crowded field. Dr. Al-Sakkaf highlighted that while having multiple interests is valuable, the ability to connect them meaningfully is essential to avoid distraction, one of the primary barriers to professional growth. She noted that workplace pressures, complexity, and lack of clarity often contribute to this challenge.

2) Building a Roadmap

This part of the webinar focused on translating ambition into actionable goals. Dr. Al-Sakkaf stressed the importance of defining a long-term vision and breaking it down into achievable steps. She underscored the role of continuous learning, gradual skills development, and proactive self-promotion in building a strong professional reputation. The session also introduced analytical tools such as SWOT analysis to help participants assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, enabling them to set realistic, priority-driven goals. Regular evaluation and course correction were highlighted as critical components of sustained progress.

3) The Professional Shield

In this section, Dr. Al-Sakkaf addressed practical techniques for maintaining focus and confidence. These included effective time and resource management, the ability to decline opportunities that do not align with one’s goals, prioritizing mental and physical well-being, and cultivating a supportive professional environment.

Dr. Al-Sakkaf also cautioned against common pitfalls, including setting goals without clear plans, developing unrealistic strategies, and failing to conduct ongoing evaluations. She emphasized the importance of integrating long-term vision with detailed short-term planning, supported by continuous updates and reflection.

In closing, Dr. Al-Sakkaf reinforced the importance of self-confidence and persistence in building a distinctive career path. She encouraged participants to actively shape their professional identity, seek supportive networks, and remain committed to continuous self-discovery. She also noted that setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for growth and renewal.

The webinar concluded with a key message: professional success is not accidental, but the result of clear vision, realistic planning, continuous learning, and a strong professional presence that reflects individual value in the job market.

The full webinar is available to watch in Arabic.