LETTERS: I recently heard a debate on the radio that young graduates are too choosy about their profession and only want to work in areas related to their study majors.
Let us take a closer look at the issue. During the pre-civilisation era, people started specialising because they found work to be more productive and impactful.
Then came a time when people in training were asked to multitask and learn more than one trade or skill set. I still remember when I was undergoing my professional course to be a secondary school college-trained English teacher.
During my final semester, we were asked to study subjects like 'Alam dan Manusia' because the rationale was that we were college-trained, but if secondary schools had enough graduate English language teachers, then we would be posted to primary schools.
It did not happen, and learning how to teach 'Alam dan Manusia' was only for self-knowledge.
I believe that if a person is passionate about learning and serving, then his basic knowledge, skills, and attitude will take him a long way.
But to be passionate and professionally trained for a certain profession would create excellent workers, and these workers, in return, would produce and mentor excellent juniors.
I always enjoyed teaching, and I get the joy of life when I see others learn something from me and can apply the knowledge in their lives.
I feel so satisfied when my students become better teachers and lecturers than me.
A group of postgraduate diploma students whom I taught several years ago shared they used my little anecdotes in their lives as lecturers in matriculation colleges.
Receiving such real-life testimony makes me realise that students hunger for more than just to complete their courses and become teachers.
They want experience-sharing and to hear more real-life case studies.
Data on the latest progress and issues can be read and downloaded from government websites. But the little dos and don'ts can only be received from those who have years of teaching experience.
Thus, when a young graduate chooses a certain profession, it is important to ensure that he has sound knowledge, skills and the right attitude towards that profession.
If he has to choose another profession, his employer has to ensure that in-house training is provided.
I have worked in electronic companies and quality control departments before focusing on teaching, training and certification. Thus, teaching is my profession and passion.
Selecting a vocation one is passionate about is the best course of action.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR VISHALACHE BALAKRISHNAN
Coordinator, SULAM@Service Learning, Universiti Malaya
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times