Working experience for employment success

IN Malaysian schools and colleges you’ll most likely be held to an all day lecture routine, but if you go to the UK or US, you’ll have lectures and tutorials but will be expected to do a lot of learning by yourself. If you do go overseas, it’s a great idea to take advantage of part- time work offers ( assuming your visa allows it).

The job you take up doesn’t matter because all work teaches basic employment skills: dressing for the job, turning up on time, dealing with hours, dealing with money and dealing with co- workers. Then, there are these benefits: First, working part- time will rev your English up from reasonable to ace in weeks, and you get paid to study too. You’ll learn slang, attitudes and common accents, all invaluable knowledge.

Second, work will open up your mind to valuable real- life lessons. For example, waitressing will teach you about multitasking, dealing with difficult customers and making sales. It will help you make more meaning from your course, and when you start looking for a full- time occupa- tion, you’ll be a cut above those who have no experience.

Third, working means you’ll make non- student friends and getting out of the study circle means a richer social life.

It’s fun to hang with a comfortable crowd, but students tend to focus on limited activities and locations. So getting out and about with other locals will help you make the most of your time.

Finally, if you’re stuck in a local school, you may literally not have hours during term time but do consider a holiday job. It is worth it.