Young professionals: Should young graduates accept small jobs?

The number of unemployed graduates has been on a steady rise over the past few years. Many of them have no choice but to take up small jobs even if these do not necessarily match their academic qualifications. One question that often arises is whether young graduates, who have invested so much in their studies, should accept small jobs to join meaningful employment? Or whether they should wait for a better job to show up. If they choose the second option, how long should they wait? Some young professionals debate the issue. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10547","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-19757 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"245","height":"210","alt":"young-pro-pravesh"}}]]Pravesh Poonyth: “Accept a job offer with the intention for a better job” 23-year old Pravesh Poonyth is an external auditor for one of the big four accounting firms. He believes that finding that dream job with your expected income and career path, seems like a luxury to many young graduates. “In this competition-driven era, it might be tempting to accept a job offer with the intention of backing out later for a better job,” he says. According to him, it might be hard for youngsters to reject low-paid and low-skilled jobs. Fresh graduates should bear in mind the negative effects of prolonged unemployment. “If they can afford to wait for a job that matches their expectations, it will be a more successful move over time. Moreover, a second degree does not mean a better job – or at least a better chance of getting a job. Think carefully before you sign up for an expensive postgraduate course that may be of little interest to employers – and beware of the increasingly slick marketing methods used by universities,” he adds. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10548","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-19754 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"233","height":"200","alt":"young-pro-ismael"}}]]Ismaël Adam Essackjee: “Acquire experience and maturity” 33-year old senior engineer at CEB and part time lecturer at UOM and UTM, Ismaël states that based on experience and labour market conditions, he would advise any graduate to accept any “small job” that comes in the way. “A graduate possesses the necessary raw skills which, when coupled with willingness, can re-engineer and improve the processes in existing small job environment. This is what ‘acquiring experience and maturity’ is all about,” he reveals. For Ismaël, a graduate should see this small job as a stepping stone. “In small jobs, even not related to his field, the graduate may learn about valuable notions that are not taught at the university. Many underlying basic concepts of management are gleaned in this way. By virtue of the organisation structure with relatively few personnel, small companies may offer greater responsibility earlier on; while encouraging multi skilling which enhances employability. Besides, it is an opportunity to develop soft skills (communication, decision making, problem solving, commitment, time management, project management, leadership, team work or stability under pressure). All this will help in instilling and nurturing a work culture,” he says. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10549","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-19753 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"251","height":"215","alt":"young-pro-geeta"}}]]Geeta Somaroo: “Graduates should not be too fussy” Lecturer at the UOM, Geeta Somaroo explains that a small job or better opportunity depends what graduates define as a small job. “It may be related to a salary of less than Rs10,000 or Rs 20,000 or to a job not related to their area of expertise. In my opinion, graduates have been equipped with the appropriate tools and academic know-how for their chosen path be it professional or academic. They should be able to use their critical thinking and competencies in any future job,” she says. “As fresh graduates, they should not be too selective about their first job, because some of them do not have any work experience.” As a lecturer, she advises students not to be too fussy about obtaining the right job as ‘small jobs’ are a stepping stone into employment. “If graduates decide to wait for a ‘better opportunity’ to knock at their doors, I am sorry to say that they can end up waiting for long,” she adds. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10550","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-19759 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"232","height":"199","alt":"young-pro-veerendra"}}]]Veerendra Kooshna: “Ask the right question” 24-year old audit assistant Veerendra Kooshna argues that no job is too small. “We, humans have been working for ages to meet our needs and play our part in society. Our job has become a means to show that we exist, that we are useful and can contribute to the betterment of society. It does not really come down to whether to settle for a small job or wait for a better opportunity as per your qualification. It is more about asking yourself the right questions upfront; from the moment you get to choose your future career,” he points out. “The more lives you impact positively, the more respect your work shall earn. In this pursuit of being valuable, better give your best,” he highlights. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10551","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-19756 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"222","height":"190","alt":"young-pro-pavan"}}]]Pavan Gopal: “A trap in always waiting for better” Director at Happy Eater Ltd, Pavan recalls how after his studies in management, he took up a job which did not match his qualifications. The experience he gained still helps him today in managing teams and people. Working in an environment that fits your qualifications, often results in working with like-minded people of similar academic background. One might argue that this is not the best environment for personal development and growth, he says. “There is also a trap in always waiting for better. If I waited for the best job opportunity, I would have lost the chance to accept smaller jobs almost indefinitely. Once you are high up the ladder, no-one would accept a lower position. I would have lost the chance to embrace a job environment that is unfamiliar and the chance to interact with people from different backgrounds and mindset, all of which are key ingredients to being a worldly person, a better global citizen,” claims Pavan. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10552","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-19755 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"233","height":"200","alt":"young-pro-jossy"}}]]Jossy Dowlutrao: “Graduates should pick up opportunities” Chief Administrative Officer and founder of YYC, Jossy contends that the mindset and expectations of our people should change, no job is too small. “Our educational system is not in sync with the labour market. Due to this, hundreds, if not thousands of graduates will not find their dream job. My advice to them is: ‘Do not wait for the perfect opportunity, since doing this will only hinder your progress.’ Instead, they should pick up opportunities that are available. This will not only help them stand on their feet, but also build their experience, explore the job market, and help themselves and their families,” he argues. “Secondary school leavers should study and look at how the job market will be in 4-5 years’ time and then make better career choices. Tertiary studies and career choices should match the strategic plans of the government. The current government is putting emphasis on renewable energy, ocean economy and smart cities. The youth should focus on studies in these fields.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"10553","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-19758 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"228","height":"195","alt":"young-pro-Sanjeda"}}]]Sanjeda Rumajogee: “Understand work environment and obtain experience” 22-year old Sanjeda is in the sociology field. During our studies, the majority of us tend to fantasize about the perfect job which will make us get out of bed happily in the morning. “The truth is that it is extremely difficult nowadays to obtain the desired job and it is mostly common to work in places where we do not feel comfortable. Consequently, negative thoughts start to prop up and we start doubting our choice of studies or career. As at that time we were much more concentrated in studies rather than experiencing the working life,” she avers. For the young lady, not having a job can be defined as a bigger problem. “Dreams can come true but it requires patience and sacrifice. Fresh graduates accepting a small job will help themselves in understanding work environment and once they obtain the required experience, then they can possibly move to the next level,” she advices.