My Dubai Salary: How I Went from a Dh7,000 Job at Expo 2020 to Earning Dh13,500 as a Technical Writer

From Dh7,000 at Expo 2020 to Dh13,500 as a Technical Writer: Rukewan Onoge’s Inspiring Journey in Dubai

Rukewan Onoge, a Nigerian living in Dubai, showcased her skills and determination by landing a job with Expo 2020 in 2022—despite having no local connections or experience.

Confident in her abilities, the 36-year-old relentlessly pursued job opportunities. She didn’t hesitate to leave her public relations position, which didn’t align with her qualifications or expertise. Her perseverance paid off when she secured a well-paying role as a technical writer.

With a master’s degree in computer science from Lancaster University in the UK and a bachelor’s degree in the same field from Nigeria, Ms. Onoge has a solid educational background. Alongside her primary job, she also takes on modeling assignments, hosts a podcast, trains individuals in digital marketing, and has launched a music video while seeking singing opportunities in Dubai.

Currently residing in Jumeirah Beach Residence, Ms. Onoge has lived in the UAE for two and a half years.

Early Career and Salary Insights

What was your first job and salary?
After completing her bachelor’s degree, Rukewan worked at FirstBank Nigeria for two years, earning about 130,000 naira (approximately $79) per month in 2011. In her second year, she transitioned to the bank’s IT department, focusing on technical support while also pursuing modeling.

Inspired by the success stories of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, Rukewan sought to innovate and explore entrepreneurship, leading her to pursue further studies in the UK on a scholarship.

Starting a Business
Upon returning to Nigeria after earning her master’s degree, she noticed many businesses operated offline and started a company to build web applications and manage social media marketing. Unfortunately, her venture struggled, prompting her to seek remote work. She eventually landed a technical content writing position with a Florida-based company.

Moving to Dubai
At the end of 2021, Rukewan visited Dubai for a two-week holiday, where she was warned by fellow migrants that securing a job paying over Dh3,500 ($953) would be nearly impossible. Undeterred, she found a technical support and user guidance role at Expo 2020 Dubai in 2022, earning Dh7,000 including benefits for just three weeks. This experience solidified her decision to stay in Dubai.

Rukewan later joined a public relations firm in Dubai with a salary of Dh6,000 per month. However, her passion for technology drove her to make a bold move. After a year, she resigned, upgraded her resume, and turned down lower-paying offers, guided by a recruiter who believed she could earn more with her qualifications.

Through determination and self-belief, Rukewan Onoge transformed her career, now earning Dh13,500 as a successful technical writer in Dubai.