As Malaysia is still in its third Movement Control Order (MCO) final-year students are facing anxiety over job prospects upon graduation. No longer can students attend job fairs face-to-face, and many lack any pre-pandemic job experience, creating a lot of uncertainty when it comes to their employment prospects.
However, according to the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, companies are still recruiting graduates during the pandemic – unlike during the 2008 financial crisis. Whilst it’s true that some sectors, such as hospitality, tourism and leisure, aren’t currently hiring, students shouldn’t lose hope. Industries like technology, media, medicine, and some retailers (particularly online retailers) are booming and are actively looking to recruit.
As major tech companies, including both startups and established firms like Google, are looking for ways to improve working and living from home, many are in dire need for people to handle research & development, coding, marketing, communications and so much more. Many tech companies like to hire fresh graduates as they consider them easier to mould and train to suit their own company’s needs.
Certain media companies are also on a hiring spree. From old media firms like MediaPrima to new media companies like TikTok, media consumption has grown rapidly during the pandemic, so companies have to hire to maintain upkeep. And just like tech, media industries are hiring fresh graduates for fresh ideas, as different mediums compete for audience growth during these competitive times.
While some retailers have stayed open for essential sales during the pandemic, one must not discount the management departments for these retailers too. Companies like Tesco and AEON are on the lookout for people with social media, communication and management skills to help with day-to-day messaging to customers during these times.
The lockdown has caused some disconnect between graduates and industry, but universities like the International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW) help build these connections throughout their students’ university journey. IUMW has a wide network of industry partnerships and connections who engage with students in a variety of contexts to support their mission to create and deliver employability education. This helps their students gain real-world expertise and practical skills that give them a competitive edge in the workplace.
Mutual Partnerships
These opportunities are invaluable to students, enriching not only their university experience but also their work experience, expanding their network and broadening their perspective to a global scale. IUMW has also established strong relationships with industries in both Malaysia and worldwide. With industry partners including PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, IGB, DHL and many more, IUMW produces talented graduates who are ready to excel in the corporate world.
Owned by two prestigious universities, IUMW was established based on a mutual partnership between the University of Malaya (UM) & the University of Wales, UK, in 2013. IUMW offers programmes in Business, Communication, Psychology, Science, and Technology and caters to students from foundation to postgraduate level.
The University stands out for its Dual Awards collaboration with its partner university, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), UK. When students graduate, they will receive certification from both IUMW and UWTSD, and get the valuable opportunity to experience global education by spending a semester in the UK studying at one of UWTSD’s stunning campuses.
As students near the end of their university years and prepare to enter the working world, they need not worry that it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to job prospects. In fact – quite the opposite, if they look in the right places. – New Malaysia Herald
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