KOTA KINABALU: Are our newer graduates picky when it came to their job selection? The bulk of opinion givers who responded to The Borneo Post’s survey certainly think so.
SK Stella Maris headmaster Crispin Payus said he agreed that most of the newer graduates were selective on the types of jobs they would apply for.
“In my opinion, most of our graduates now place too much importance on image and position when they apply for jobs. They don’t think about stability and the long-term potential of the career they sought after,” he said.
Retiree civil servant, Jimmy Omar, who is also a well-known nature photographer in the state, felt the same way.
“I guess half of our present graduates are choosy and most are after high-paid positions without putting in the hard work and heavy efforts,” said Jimmy.
He added that most seemed to be lacking in competency to work independently.
“Those from well-to-do families are too dependent on their parents and are often hesitant to work on their own capacity,” he said.
He also complained that many lacked commitment and blamed it on the Malaysian education system.
Additionally, the education system has also failed to emphasize the importance of the English language which has led to local graduates having low competence in the language.
He further alleged that the country’s education blueprints were inconsistent and had caused a big hole in the education system, particularly with regard to applied knowledge and field work.
“This has resulted in the inability of our graduates to compete globally in the present high-tech world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jessy Audrine Annabelle, a hotelier, opined that graduates from public universities were pickier in their job selections as compared to those from private colleges.
“Maybe it’s because the graduates feared taking risks and do not want to try new things, whereas those from private colleges behave the other way around – if they can’t have their dream job, they don’t mind waiting – not all of them, but many. That is why many Bumiputras continue to be left behind. It is up to the person’s attitude and maturity,” she said.
The Chinese and Indians have different outlook when it comes to job opportunities, according to Jesse.
“When the opportunity is not available, they create it.”
On the tertiary education system, particularly at public universities, Jessy felt that too much emphasis had been given to theories and very little opportunities for hands-on practice.
“Any activities planned would have to undergo several levels for approval and hence, the long process of waiting. I feel that university students should be allowed to carry out activities and hands-on because these allow them to become creative and active,” she said.
As a result, graduates produced were only good in theories, she added.
Fresh graduate, Therense Voo, on the other hand questioned why was it so wrong for someone like her to be picky when it came to selecting her dream job.
“I have to agree with the choosy part because I am in that category. After I graduated, I only longed to work in the field that I love. I wonder if that can be classified as being picky?” she questioned.
“Maybe, in my search for the job that I love, I have wasted a little time but if there was really no vacancy for the post I am looking for, I won’t hesitate to look for another job. I might be choosy at first but I won’t be choosy for the rest of my life for the sake of my family,” she said.
She also opined that university graduates were capable of thinking what was best for themselves and that the general public should not underestimate them.
“After all, how do you think they got into university? It is probably because we spend too much thinking of our own future that we have been mistaken as being lazy by the government. We study hard in order to graduate and earn our degree for the sake of our future,” she said.
As per independence, Therense said she felt she was quite independent and she regarded her friends at university as equally capable and independent.
“My friends and I graduated just two months ago and we have been job hunting since then. We didn’t rely on family connections, or on our parents to help us look for jobs.”
“Most of us are from low income families and perhaps that pushed us to become independent and to trust our own ability and judgements. I am not sure about the rich and fortunate graduates endowed with good family connections,” she said.
Meanwhile, a lecturer who requested anonymity said the current world driving forces were globalisation, technology and finance.
“It has led to rapid change which is quite jarring and we’re very unprepared. There is global unemployment growing now such is hidden and unnoticed,” he said.
He added that instead of fighting whether to teach in English or Malay we should ensure everyone could speak Mandarin.
“The Chinese are growing in political, cultural and economic influence. If we cannot engage them, we’ll be overrun by them,” he warned.
He also said there was a strong need for intelligence and creativity to be one of the leaders in a new economy.
“Yet our education system is based on standardised tests such that our university students only know how to look for the correct answer and do not really have the ability to reflect deeper or utilise their determination. It doesn’t help that universities are under pressure to maintain good passing rates.”
“The future is now. Whatever that can be automated will be, so if we do not tap the unique human abilities to add value to life, we will be obsolete,” he said.