Getting hired in tough job market

IN an increasingly competitive job market, fresh graduates such as Bridget Emuang are doing all they can to get hired – even if it means working in an area that is outside their chosen fields and beyond their academic training.

Faced with a shrinking job market with the Covid-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on global economies, many have found themselves unemployed despite their eagerness to work hard and contribute to society.

While some have taken on odd jobs to keep afloat, others like Emuang have taken the bold step of exploring fields and careers that they would have never considered.

Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent psychology, and a communications minor, in February last year, Emuang decided to look for a graphic design job out of interest since she could not find anything related to her field of study.

“I couldn’t get a job as a psychologist, nor could I find anything related to graphic design as many companies preferred interns or required Mandarin-speaking talents.

“That was when I decided to pursue a teaching career since I have always had an interest in working with children.

“It took some time but I finally found a private tutoring job, and I’m content with it now,” she told StarEdu.

Emuang currently teaches the English language to two Korean students who recently moved to Malaysia.

“I also help them with their homework in other subjects. I have been preparing lesson plans and trying out different teaching methods to see which is more effective.“I am also learning Korean in my spare time and trying to understand the different sentence structures to become a better tutor,” she shared.

She, however, is still open to exploring a career in graphic design.

“I am very interested in pursuing that passion.”

Like Emuang, fresh graduates must adapt to an ever-changing world. They must be open to lifelong learning, working hard and continuously upskilling themselves if they are to rise above the competition and realise their full potential. — By STEPHANIE AERIA