Career Development

Our graduates are generally still parochial and inward-looking. “jaguh kampong who are able to compete amongst themselves. Despite the Government having spent so much to guide and help students, the benchmark seems to be “It’s okay’.” They continue to be spoon-fed, copying not only notes but also job application letters and resumes. Such an attitude has no place in the new millennium. Says Datuk Mustafa Mansur, the President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufactures (FMM), “Malaysian graduates must want to know and do more”.

“Universities may want to consider adding ‘finishing school’ elements into their final year curricula, including speech training.” It really isn’t important, what your university discipline is when you are looking for a job, except in professional areas such as law, accounting, engineering or medicine. “The degree is just the first step into the working world, what you need to get through the door. Once you are through, however, you must work at developing the skills and competencies need to do well in your job.”

He continues, to emphasize the importance of developing skills for the international market, particularly communication skills in the English language. “Maybe the reason why our graduates are so introverted is that they lack good communication skills.”

“I would also like to see more well-rounded graduates,” he adds, “people who not only work hard and get good grades, but who also play sports, appreciate music and the arts, and willing to go the extra mile. Such graduates are the one who have the makings of our country’s future leaders, both in the public and private sectors.”