Keep an eye on the job market
MARCH is an exciting month for the 421,000 youth who took the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year as they find out how they fared in the exam.
For many, the end of their schooling years marks the beginning of studies at the tertiary level. There are plenty of options offered by public and private institutions, which offer programmes for both local and international university admissions.
This is a crucial time for SPM holders, as choosing the most suitable post-secondary education pathway will have an influence on their future careers. While
pursuing a programme that reflects one’s talents and interests is important, one factor that cannot be overlooked is the current job market. Recruitment expert Hays Malaysia predicts that this year, and in the near future, several disciplines will gain prominence in the rapidly changing employment landscape. These include finance and law, especially in areas related to e-commerce and financial technology, as well as risk management and governance.
In addition to the choice of programme, SPM holders need to consider other factors as well, such as whether they prefer public or private institutions, plan to study locally or abroad, and what they can afford. With admission into public universities becoming increasingly competitive, it would be wise to explore all options beyond conventional pathways.
Studying online is one such alternative and is growing in popularity. For example, United States-based public policy outfit The Brookings Institute recently reported that enrolment in online courses has more than quadrupled in the last 15 years in the US, buoyed by a surge in open online courses such as those provided by Coursera and edX.
A similar trend is also emerging in Malaysia, with open and distance learning options gaining traction, especially with the younger generation. In my last column, I shared that the majority of learners who registered with Open University Malaysia (OUM) last year are millennials between the ages of 23 and 38. A considerable number are 22 years old or younger, which means that about 13% of our new learners are from Generation Z.
Regardless of our learners’ backgrounds, OUM strives to make higher education affordable, accessible and flexible for everyone. This is reflected in our continuous efforts to offer industryrelevant programmes at reasonable costs through a blended pedagogy that combines e-learning with face-to-face tutorials and self-study.
We are also bringing fully online programmes to the fore, an initiative that is particularly appealing to tech-savvy individuals who enjoy studying on the go.
However, what about those who opt not to continue studying after completing the SPM? Choosing to enter the labour force early does not exclude anyone from opportunities for further studies. In fact, working experience can be an added bonus.
At OUM, these individuals can enrol into the programme of their choice and even earn credits via the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning.
Ultimately, what counts is the outcome of the overall learning experience. An OUM tracer study in 2017 revealed that more than 95% of OUM graduates consider their studies to be time and money well spent. A majority also stated that their programmes provided them with knowledge and skills suitable at their place of work and that they have become more independent, confident and better at communicating, problemsolving and making decisions.
These qualities are certainly in demand at the workplace, and those exploring higher education options would be wise to choose an institution that will best prepare them for their future careers.
This is a crucial time for SPM holders, as choosing the most suitable post-secondary education pathway will have an influence on their future careers. While pursuing a programme that reflects one’s talents and interests is important, one factor that cannot be overlooked is the current job market.