QCDC Cautions Young People About Risks Of 'Uniqueness Trap'

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Career Development Centre (QCDC) has cautioned young people about the risks of what it calls the“uniqueness trap,” a mindset that pressures individuals to pursue distinction at the expense of growth and balance.

Career Programmes and Services Officer at QCDC, Saleh Abdullah Al-Ballam has outlined the underlying causes of the“uniqueness trap,” discussed its impact on youth, and offered practical ways to avoid it-while still preserving ambition and authenticity.

He said the issue stems from misinterpreting messages that encourage youth to“stand out” or“make their own way.”

“Each of us naturally wants to be seen - to have our individual accomplishments recognised,” Al-Ballam said in an interview with The Peninsula in correspondence.

“The problem isn't the message to 'stand out,' but how it's applied without context. When uniqueness becomes a burden, young people begin to feel pressured to be extraordinary from the very first step.”

According to Al-Ballam, the uniqueness trap often leads to isolation.“They wrongly assume that learning from others somehow undermines their own worth,” he said.

“The real danger is reducing success to a narrow, individualistic idea and forgetting that true excellence is built on interaction, openness, and learning-not isolation or rebellion.”

He noted that some graduates avoid conventional career paths or traditional sectors, dismissing them as unworthy of their ambition. Others delay career decisions in search of a“perfect” fit, creating what he described as a“suspended professional identity.” The consequences, he warned, extend beyond professional setbacks.

“The most immediate danger is missing out on opportunities,” he said.“On the personal side, it creates a chronic sense of inadequacy, indecision, and even burnout.” At QCDC, counsellors have observed students rejecting established fields without clear alternatives, or switching majors and internships repeatedly in search of something“different.” Some choose university majors mainly to separate themselves from family traditions rather than genuine interest.

“In most cases, the issue isn't a lack of capability-it's a lack of adaptability and perspective,” Al-Ballam said.

QCDC addresses these challenges through services such as the Al-Dileela one-on-one counselling programme and job shadowing opportunities, which combine self-discovery with practical career guidance. The center also publishes Career Guide magazine, introducing youth to real-life role models who combine ambition with balance. Al-Ballam stressed that redefining uniqueness is key.“It doesn't mean rejecting every existing path or inventing something totally new. Real uniqueness is about adding value to what already exists-innovating within context, not outside it,” he said.

His advice to young people was clear:“Don't let the pressure to be unique become a burden. Your success doesn't depend on how different you are-it depends on how close you are to your values, your goals, and your reality. True excellence doesn't shout. It resonates.”

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