First step to a successful career

Teo (front, fourth from left) flanked by Prof Saw and Saberi with representatives of participating companies at First City University College Career Day 2022 in Petaling Jaya. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

FIRST City University College hosted its Career Day with the participation of 25 companies at its Bandar Utama campus in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Themed “The First Step to Your Career”, the private higher education institution had also lined up talks and workshops by leading industry experts at the event.

In her speech at the launch, First City UC vice-chancellor Prof Dr Saw Sor Heoh said the event aimed to provide students with exposure to the jobs and careers available, enhance their awareness of the required skills to be successful as well as familiarise them with the job application and interview process.

She said the talks and workshops would expose students to topics such as charting their career pathways, personal grooming, business communication and inventive problem-solving.

“I hope that you will be inspired and motivated by the speakers and acquire the knowledge that you need to move forward in your future careers.

“I wish you an enriching and fulfilling day,” she added.

Prof Saw said First City UC prided itself in producing highly employable graduates and successful entrepreneurs.

(From left) Assoc Prof Parvathy and Goh briefing Teo on the quadcopter drone.

“Our priority is to ensure the provision of quality and industry- relevant education that prepares our graduates to be way ahead of others.

“In addition, we also want to ensure our graduates acquire the knowledge they need to succeed in the job market,” she explained.

Guest-of-honour and First City UC director Tan Sri Teo Chiang Liang launched the Career Day after receiving a remote control inside an envelope that was delivered by a drone.

He later presented tokens of appreciation to representatives of participating companies as well as Resorts World Genting’s learning, development and engagement department director Saberi Sepawi, who spoke on “Career Aspiration Roadmap” at the event.

Guests toured a showcase of First City UC students’ computing, engineering, design and hospitality projects as well as its corporate social responsibility initiatives and also visited exhibition booths by participating companies.

Final-year Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering student Goh Kee Shan and his supervisor Assoc Prof Dr Parvathy Rajendran also briefed guests on drone technology, including the quadcopter drone that was used during the launch.

Speaking to reporters later, Teo said Career Day was a good way to expose students to their prospective employers.

“They (prospective employers) can speak to students from different disciplines and find out their suitability.”

He said it also gave students a chance to intern at these companies to know about their work practices.

“Career Day is good for us, students and employers.”

Prof Saw said First City UC had a 100% employability rate, noting that students accepted for internships were offered jobs after they passed their examinations.

She said 31 programmes were offered at First City UC, ranging from foundation to Master’s levels in various fields of study such as engineering and computing, design and built environment, business, hospitality, mass communication, accounting and marketing.

Among others, the university college offers three foundation programmes, namely in art and design; business administration as well as engineering, science and technology.

“(Currently) we have 1,500 students from all levels,” said Prof Saw, highlighting that both face-to-face and hybrid learning options were available.

She said First City UC put a lot of emphasis on facilities, required software and use of technology to better prepare its students.

“Students acquire hands-on practical skills and when they graduate, they are ready for employment,” she added.

Teo said the university college continuously organised programmes to showcase the designs of students and also encouraged them to participate in real-world projects.

“When a company likes a student’s work, such as their design packaging, they can use it and we can collaborate,” he elaborated.

He said First City UC students had won international competitions abroad, such as in art and design.

“We also provide software that is relevant to the industry.

“We are now in the Internet of Things era.

“It is important that relevant software is provided to the students so that they won’t get a shock when they enter the workforce,” he said.