Meet Bilal, a Graduate at daa International

Summary of your daa journey and current role:

I joined daa International in September 2024 as part of the daa Graduate Programme, with a background in economics and strategic management. I graduated with a Master’s in Strategy from DCU in 2023, where I also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for strategy and entrepreneurship modules at the DCU Business School.

From day one, my role at daa International has gone far beyond the typical scope of a Project Officer! I’ve been entrusted with real responsibility and empowered to lead initiatives that have global reach and strategic importance. The support from both the daa International team and the wider graduate programme (shoutout to David Nugent!) has been instrumental in accelerating my development.

Within my first six months, I led the delivery of a guest experience training programme at Red Sea International Airport called ‘FlightPath’, managing the project and collaborating with cross-functional teams including Platinum VIP, Operations, and Infrastructure, as well as partners from across other airports we operate in or advise globally.

I’m also proud to be one of the project leads for daa International’s VR integration programme, the first of its kind within daa, bringing in immersive training solutions that are shaping the future of airport operations. In addition, I’ve supported multiple training programmes, including the Matarat and RAC graduate programmes, and contributed to forecasting, analysis, and basis of design work for new airport developments in the Middle East and Central Asia.

The daa Graduate Programme is, at its core, an accelerated development journey. It’s a space where graduates are trusted to lead, encouraged to make decisions, and given the opportunity to demonstrate their true capabilities. I’m grateful to be part of a programme that not only invests in its people but also challenges us to grow and make a meaningful impact from the very beginning!

What does your average day look like?

Ah! Meetings and emails? Just messing! 

Airports are incredibly dynamic, and no two days are ever the same! My mornings typically begin with checking emails and Teams messages to catch anything urgent, especially since we operate across multiple time zones. While I try to plan my week in advance, the nature of my role means I need to stay flexible. Plans can shift quickly, and I might find myself jumping into a new project at a moment’s notice. Adaptability and fast learning are key! 

On a typical day, I’ll have one or two project check-in calls by the afternoon, where we flag any issues and align with the wider team. Lunchtime for me is a great opportunity to strike a balance between networking and unwinding. I often grab lunch with fellow daa grads, the daa International team, or colleagues from across the business. Occasionally, I’m asked to escort visitor’s airside, since not everyone has escort privileges. These airside tours are a highlight for me as I genuinely enjoy showing people around and sharing insights into airport operations. Afternoons usually involve a few more meetings or calls, and I try to block off time between 3pm and 5pm to focus on my own tasks and wrap up my to-do list. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t let today’s tasks spill into tomorrow, and the only way to make that happen is through effective time management!

For the next few months, we’re hosting graduates from Saudi Arabia as part of a training programme. If I’m the project manager for a given week, my day revolves around facilitating sessions and spending time in the training rooms to ensure everything runs smoothly. This also means working with the other project managers to ensure everyone is on the same page and our goals are still aligned. It’s super important to communicate and listen to your colleagues in this role, and to remember that everyone is working towards the same shared goal! 

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

One of the most valuable parts of the daa Graduate Programme is being assigned a leadership coach, and I still remember the very first thing I brought up in our sessions: imposter syndrome. In those early weeks, it was hard not to feel overwhelmed. Sitting in meetings with senior team members, hearing terms I couldn’t make sense of no matter how much I tried, and it was intimidating, to say the least. And the acronyms… don’t even get me started!!!

But here’s what I’ve learned: we’re all part of the same team, and everyone is at a different stage in their learning journey (because learning never really stops). That feeling of being out of place started to fade thanks to the incredible support from my team and the one-on-one coaching sessions we had as grads.

What really helped was shifting my mindset: I’m here to learn, and everyone starts somewhere. Once I embraced that, everything changed. Keeping an open mind and being willing to ask questions, even the ‘basic’ ones, made all the difference. Because at the end of the day, nothing is impossible when you’re surrounded by people who want to see you grow!

What has surprised you most about working at daa?

One of the most surprising parts of working at daa is the incredible graduate network and support system that surrounds us. No matter the department or level of seniority, there’s always a fellow grad nearby, and they’re always willing to lend a helping hand. It’s a very reassuring feeling to know you’re never alone, and there’s always someone who’s been in your shoes and is happy to support you!

What is the next step in journey at daa?

I’m looking to get more involved in training and development, and I’m currently planning to complete my train the trainer certification. 

What is your top tip for someone who wants to apply for the daa Grad programme?

The biggest tip I can give is to just be yourself. And that’s not just for daa, it’s for you. The application and interview process is a two-way street, and It’s just as much about you figuring out if the company is the right fit for you, as it is about them getting to know you. So be authentic, trust your instincts, and remember, enjoy the process!