How to gain experience before your first job
TODAY’S employers tend to look for potential employees with experience, which can be challenging for graduates that lack this requirement.
Still, ‘experience’ in this context can be perceived as the effort you take to build your own set of technical and soft skills, and grow your own network of people, as long as the skills and network are relevant to the field you intend to pursue.
With the resilience and openmind you’ve developed from the experience, you’ll be able to learn and adapt quickly to your new colleagues and working environment.
The following are some options you can take as a student to gain work experience before becoming a full-time member of the workforce. Co- curricular activities
The most accessible option you can go for is co- curricular activities available in your secondary school, college, or university.
Participate in those you have a keen interest in, or set up a new club or organisation that can benefit students and the education institution in the long run.
It’ll also be helpful to take courses that emphasise handson experience, such as those under technical and vocational education and training ( TVet), to have a better grasp of your desired field. Internship
Most study programmes provide internship opportunities, so make sure that you take advantage of it by choosing a business organisation that allows you to utilise your capabilities and to network with industry professionals.
Because an internship gives students the chance to experience real-world workplaces, ensure that your supervisor is giving you career-relevant tasks to perform instead of grunt work that won’t leave you with room to grow.
Also, don’t hesitate to ask questions should you have any concerns regarding your work. Part-time work
Outside school, search for part- time jobs, be it as a part- timer for food or retail outlets, or a tutor for younger students.
Not only will these jobs allow you to hone your skills, they will also give you first-hand experience of earning your own money. Volunteering
You can also spend your free time helping out local organisations that can be found within your community.
Doing so provides you the opportunity to develop interpersonal and organisational skills, as well as a sense of responsibility, empathy and civic-mindedness.
Volunteer work also lets you meet with fellow volunteers who might lend a helping hand when you pursue a career in your desired field in the future. Personal projects
Alternatively, create a project that allows you to develop and showcase your skills – for example, writing your own blog, or running your own online business.
Your initiative to start your own work and your perseverance to see through your own endeavour might impress potential employers, or even lead you down the path of entrepreneurship and freelancing.
This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! – an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak – to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.