Situation: I am currently in the final year of my degree studies in the course of Business Administration. I have a relatively good academic track record and consistently maintained my CGPA above the 3.0 pointers.
If I work hard for the next 2 final semesters I have an outside chance of graduating with a first class honors.
Here is my current dilemma:
Even though graduation is still a year ahead, the fact that many of the graduates (from local and foreign universities) face unemployment presents me with a grave concern.
Many of my seniors are still unable to land a job even after more than 1 year graduating and this makes me traumatized and put me through countless of sleepless nights. Putting the best efforts to finish my degree does no longer seem a worthwhile struggle as I might as well end up with the same fate, drowning in the pool of unemployment, and adding myself to the worrying statistics.
Worse, the economy does not look like moving for the better and more and more companies are winding up and retrenching people.
Will I be jobless when I graduate? This is the question lingering in my head and I can’t seem to keep it away from haunting me.
Answer:
Your concern is very real, but realizing it at an early stage is the right first thing to do toward making things better for you. You have in fact distinguished yourself apart from more than half of your peers by thinking ahead of your time and beginning to look for ways to conquer your fear factor.
Apart from academic, part of your effort now should be shifted towards creating all the possible entries for employment opportunity, while at the same time polishing up all the necessary skills that enhance your values and marketability in the job market. Get in touch with the university’s career office (or student affairs) and find out what are the next events related to career to be held.
If there are courses that offer you to polish your interview skills, creating job-winning resume or simply improving your English, take the opportunity to join. Make participation in career fairs and talks by employers a must for you.
Get your resume done now, and have at least 3 different people (this can be your lecturers, seniors, recruitment consultants or employer willing to listen to you) to review and comment. Opinions can be subjective and all 3 may have different views altogether, but eventually you’ll start realizing what employers want to see. Start registering with online recruitment websites or portals and begin to feel the adrenaline rush of finding job vacancies through the net.
For whatever reason, it’s naïve to think that striving to get the best results will be pointless for you now. You’re so close to the end of a bittersweet journey, it’s time for you to take your best stride, and not slowing down. Reach the finishing line with your head up high, signifying triumph and glory. 10 years down the road, will you regret saying to yourself, “I was so close; only I had pushed a little bit harder?” So, never stop short of giving your best.