FAQs

1. Who is Musharek?
   Musharek is a Lebanese non-profit association that brings together skilled professionals with local and global expertise to elevate corporate social responsibility, education, innovation, and social development in Lebanon. Guided by a commitment to harnessing the transformative power of technology and education, Musharek pursues its mission through five core pillars: corporate social responsibility initiatives, social research, education, social development, and innovation.
2. What is the Bridge-the-Gap (BtG) programme?
   The Bridge-the-Gap programme, administered by Musharek NGO and funded by GIZ, is an educational initiative designed to empower young creatives with practical, real-world skills and tools to advance their career objectives.
3. Who is GIZ?
   GIZ, or Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, is a German government service provider specialising in international cooperation for sustainable development and international education initiatives.
4. What topics are covered in the Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers?
   The Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers is tailored for graphic designers seeking to master personal branding strategies, enhance their professional image, and showcase their skills to prospective employers and clients. Participants will develop skills in presentation, creative thinking, storytelling, marketing, self-branding, pitching, negotiating, interview techniques, and time management.
5. Is enrolment open to all applicants?
   Yes, enrolment is open to applicants of all nationalities, races, colours, religions, sexes (including sexual orientation and gender identity), and disabilities. The only eligibility criterion is age, which should fall between 20 and 30.
6. What is the age requirement for applying?
   To be eligible for the programme, applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 30.
7. Is a university degree required for enrolment?
   No, the programme does not consider whether an applicant attended or obtained a degree from a university or college. Evaluation is based solely on design skills, talent, design quality, and graphic design experience.
8. When and where is the Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers course held?
   The Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers course takes place from 1 to 6 p.m. at Notre Dame University (NDU) in Louaize.
9. Can I still register if I live far away from NDU?
   Yes, you can enrol in this course regardless of your location within Lebanon. However, please note that as Musharek does not provide transportation or reimburse travel expenses, you will need to make your own arrangements.
10. Will I be reimbursed for any bus or transit costs if I attend?
    Unfortunately, Musharek is unable to reimburse participants for their travel expenses.
11. Is this a paid course?
    No, this course is free of charge.
12. Is there a registration fee?
    No, there is no registration fee. However, since this is a free course, you will be required to sign a commitment form. If you drop out, do not attend, or miss a day of the course, you will not be eligible for participation in the BtG Internship Awards, and you will not receive a certificate.
13. Does attendance in this course require enrolment at NDU?
    No, NDU provides the venue and necessary resources for the training, but attending the course is not dependent on being an NDU student.
14. Does applying require a specific level of graphic design knowledge?
    Yes, to participate in the Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers, you must have a portfolio, be a student or employed in graphic design, or at the very least, possess a fundamental understanding of the profession. It’s important to note that participants are selected based on merit.
15. What criteria must be met to enrol in the Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers course?
    To be eligible, you must meet age requirements (20-30) and have design experience, whether through education, practical experience, or both. Admission is based on merit, so you must impress the BtG jury with your creativity and talent to be accepted and enrolled.
16. Is this an NDU scholarship?
    No, Musharek and NDU have no academic affiliations.
17. Do you guarantee a job or internship if I apply?
    No, we cannot guarantee job placement or an internship if you apply. However, we guarantee that your application will be processed, and all participants will be selected based on merit, considering your talent and creativity. Enrolment is contingent upon acceptance.
18. How can I make a strong impression on the guest speakers to secure an internship?
    At the end of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to present yourself and interact directly with top industry professionals. While internships or project-based contracts are not guaranteed, impressing our Guest Speakers may lead to such opportunities. Completing the course project assignment, active participation in course activities, and showcasing your creative talent are effective ways to make a lasting impression.
19. Does this course offer college or university credit?
    No, this course does not contribute towards your university or college degree. At the conclusion of the course, Musharek will provide you with a customised attendance certificate.
20. If I’m an NDU student, will this course count for credit toward my attendance?
    No, as previously mentioned, this course is unrelated to NDU’s academic offerings. While NDU provides the classroom and equipment, the course is not delivered by NDU. Musharek and NDU are separate organisations.
21. Will I become a graphic designer after completing this course?
    No, this course is not designed for individuals who have no prior experience or education in design or the graphic design industry.
22. Do I qualify for this course as a recent graduate with no prior work experience?
    Yes, if your training or skill set is in or related to design or graphic design, you are eligible for the Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers course.
23. Are students who are still enrolled in design programmes a good fit for this course?
    Yes, provided you are within the age requirements (20-30) and have at least a basic understanding of design.
24. Can I apply if I don’t have any prior expertise with design?
    To be admitted to the course, you must have either a design education background, design work experience, or both. This course is not intended for individuals who have not yet entered the design industry.
25. Can I complete this course online?
    No, this course is not currently available online; it is only available in-person on the NDU campus.
26. Are non-designers eligible to apply for this course?
    Eligibility depends on your work history; if you lack formal design training but have relevant professional experience, you are encouraged to apply.
27. In what language is this course taught?
    The instruction, workbook, and course materials are all in English.
28. I’m not fluent in English, or it’s my third language, or I don’t read and write well in English. Is it still possible for me to apply?
    To understand the course materials, workbook, and language of instruction, you must have a basic level of English proficiency.
29. Is the language of instruction for this course Arabic or French?
    The instruction, workbook, and course materials are all in English.
30. What benefit would my certificate from this course have for my career?
    Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers is taught by experts in their fields and endorsed by top industry professionals. This course is designed to equip you with the tools and skills necessary for career advancement. The certificate validates your proficiency in personal branding, storytelling, presentation, marketing, negotiation, pitching, creative thinking, leveraging social media and AI, interview techniques, and time management.
31. Do I need to pay for the certificate after completing the course?
    No, both the course and the certification are provided free of charge.
32. Is it possible for me to fail the course?
    No, it is not possible to fail this course.
33. Can I reapply for a later course if I need to withdraw from the dates specified in my application?
    The Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers program offers two courses. As indicated in the application, you can select one. If selected by the jury to participate, you must commit to the specified start date. Due to limited availability, reapplication is not permitted.
34. Is attendance mandatory for every module? Can I skip a module if necessary?
    Attendance is compulsory for all modules of this course. The course is structured to build on each preceding module. Missing any module will prevent your understanding of the remaining content and hinder your ability to complete the course with the same level of clarity and knowledge as your peers. Skipping a module will also disqualify you from meeting our Guest Speaker and render you ineligible for taking part in the BtG internship award.
35. Is it feasible for me to take the course at a different time due to work schedule conflicts?
    You have the flexibility to choose the course dates that suit you, but the course timings, which are set from 1 to 6p.m., cannot be altered.
36. What criteria must be met to succeed in this course?
    There is no pass or fail grading in this course; rather, it is designed to provide you with insights into the framework for advancing your career in graphic design. Exceptional performance recognised by one of our industry professional guest speakers may lead to a short-term contract or internship offer.
37. Are there other course options if I can’t attend the date I applied for?
    The Career Blueprint for Graphic Designers course providestwocourse dates. You need to choose one on the application form. If you can’t make it on your chosen date due to unforeseen circumstances, get in touch with us to check if there’s availability on the second course.