Malik Mustafa Mohammed, Head of the department.<br />The role of the chemical engineer in developing his own capabilities to compete in the international labor market<br />In the absence of real chemical industries in Iraq, the development of the chemical engineer's own capabilities will become imperative to enhance his competitiveness and obtain job opportunities abroad, as the subject is personal and belongs to him and his future in particular before others. This requires developing personal and technical skills, building an international professional network, and continuing to learn and develop oneself. Here are some steps a chemical engineer can take to achieve this goal:<br />1- Pursuing higher degrees(Master or Doctorate) In advanced disciplines enhances employment opportunities and increases the CV's value. One can search for scholarships and study programs in internationally prestigious universities with self-efforts.<br />2- Participate in specialized online courses and benefit from platforms like Coursera and edX to acquire new skills and obtain accredited certificates from international universities.<br />3-Entering specialized courses and obtaining internationally recognized certificates such as a Project Management Professional (PMP)or a chemical engineering professional certificate (ChE) Enhances the engineer's credibility and knowledge of international standards.<br />4- Obtaining certifications in industrial safety, quality management, or environmental analysis can open new doors in the labor market.<br />5- Acquiring practical skills and training by seeking international internship opportunities and applying for internship programs in international companies or participating in student exchange programs can add valuable experience and introduce the engineer to global work environments...<br />6- Participation in practical and applied projects, whether in study or during summer training, allows the engineer to apply theoretical knowledge in the real situation…<br />7- Participation in seminars and scientific and applied research can help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and provide the engineer with the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the field and expand his professional network.<br />8- Enhancing personal skills such as English language proficiency has become a passport to enter the world of work in multinational environments and this skill can be improved through specialized courses and continuous training.<br />9- Learning additional languages, such as Chinese or German, can increase job prospects in specific markets and enhance an engineer's ability to adapt to different work environments.<br />10- Work on developing personal abilities such as expressing clearly and accurately, whether in writing or speaking, to avoid misunderstanding and ensure that messages are delivered effectively, and this can be done through the Internet and daily practice.<br />11- Continuous interaction with colleagues and team members and teamwork through the exchange of ideas and information to achieve the common goals of the group, and this can be done through participation in group projects and interaction with different teams ( To the Internet, associations, and seminars ).<br />12- Learn how to deal with conflicts constructively and the ability to find compromises that satisfy all parties This can be achieved through training in negotiation and conflict resolution skills.<br />13- Time management, tasks, planning, and organization through training to develop time plans and a timetable for tasks and projects and set priorities clearly <br />14- Interact with the international professional community by joining professional associations such as the Society of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Or the European Society of Chemical Engineering (EFCE) Provides opportunities to network and learn from industry experts.<br />15- Publishing research in recognized scientific journals enhances the credibility of the engineer and contributes to building his professional reputation.<br />16- Search for international jobs on job platforms such as Twitter, Indeed, and Glassdoor in international companies or apply to recruitment agencies that focus on providing international employment opportunities for chemical engineers.<br />17- Take advantage of programs that provide employment and study abroad opportunities, such as Fulbright and European Union programs.<br />The bottom line<br />To enhance his competitiveness in the international labour market, the Iraqi chemical engineer must focus on developing his personal skills mainly by improving language skills, enhancing communication skills, teamwork, effective time management, and interaction with the international professional community thus, the engineer can improve his chances of obtaining job opportunities abroad with the need to continue learning and self-development and build a strong professional network to achieve professional success in advanced industrial environments.<br />Dhirar Salim Mohammed, a chemical engineer.<br />