RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENT
Having looked at the current scenario and knowing some of the requirements a potential employer might seek from a job-seeker , the graduate has to weigh the odds and balance the needs versus what he or she feels is acceptable . Not an easy task but a task the graduate has to thoroughly examine .
Here are some points a graduate can do to improve him or herself to bridge the gap and ensure a good chance of getting a job .
1 . Have a good grasp of engineering fundamentals . Design and Problem Solving are two sought after attributes . Ability to use design software and applications are great skills to have . Demonstration of creativity and innovative skills is a strong point .
2 . Ability to communicate in English and Bahasa Malaysia is sufficient but ability in other languages is good to have . Other languages such as Mandarin , French and German would be a plus . Being able to articulate their thoughts and being able to present them clearly is a great asset . Ability to demonstrate leadership skills would be a great plus point as employers like employees who possess leadership qualities .
3 . Project Management is a skill much sought after today . Having it would be a good starting point . Although it is true that a fresh graduate may not have the exposure and experience in projects to have this skill set , spending time attending short courses in project management taught by experienced project management practitioners would help . However , employers do not expect a fresh graduate to have PMP ( Project Management Practitioner ) accreditation when they come for job interview for the first time .
4 . Interpersonal skills come in many forms . Having some of them does help to promote oneself at the first impression .
5 . The concern of many graduate engineers besides remuneration are the working conditions ; ‘ Dirty , Dangerous and Difficult ’. Graduate engineers must overcome this worry and dive straight into the job . In most cases with a little bit of persuasion and guidance from seniors they would soon find comfort in the new working environment . Graduate engineers when undergoing industrial training whilst at University must make it a point to choose the correct industry for attachment where they are likely to find working conditions similar to those they will face in their future employment and not choose jobs where comfort is a priority . A little sacrifice in the beginning will pay off in the future .
6 . When a graduate is asked about the remuneration they expect , they must not be too quick to pounce on lucrative packages . In the current situation many employers may not be able offer generous packages . A good move would be to do a quick market survey on the sector to see how much the market is willing to pay . Accommodating the employer ’ s wishes is a good idea .
7 . When confronted with employers who wish to further value add the graduate and send them for upskilling courses related to the company ’ s products , graduate engineers should weigh the offer as it normally comes with a bond . If the bond is acceptable , graduate engineers should accept as it would be beneficial for both the employer in getting highly trained competent worker with loyalty and the graduate getting skill level improvement for further advancement in his or her career .
8 . Industrial Revolution 4.0 ( IR 4.0 ) is a game changer . Many players in the SBSR sector have begun to move towards IR 4.0 and adopt the elements that underlay the basic foundations of the technological trends in the sector . Graduate engineers must aim to be part of the skilled , well trained human capital , especially in the fields of STEM ( Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics ). Retraining and upskilling is an area graduate engineers must be aware of v .
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