Right from our childhood, we are expected to dream big. We are, however, simultaneously, also expected to fulfill those dreams staying within the realms of societal limitations.
I am no expert on giving career advice, but I do understand that when it’s time for a graduate to kick-start their career in Bangladesh, they are faced with a variety of dilemmas and left with only a few options.
As nursery kids we were taught: “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.” In stark contrast, however, by the time we reach high school, we are expected to understand that “life is not a bed of roses.”
But do we really understand the depth of this phrase at such a tender age? It’s only when we enter the real world, only when responsibilities are upon us, only when we take charge of each and every action we undertake, that we begin to comprehend what a difficult journey life is, and that it is completely a solo journey to make.
For most people, this journey begins right after graduating from college. I am no different.
Whether we first decide upon the destination before starting the journey or find the destination while being in the journey itself - the choice is solely and simply ours to make.
If this journey is a journey by boat, then should we conform to the mainstream or deviate at the estuary (the juncture where the tide meets the stream)? What can be the helpful decision-making factors?
As far as I am concerned, choosing a career after graduation is like standing at the estuary. Well, here are some important points to consider while figuring out the most befitting professional head start/debut.
It’s okay to not know
The first and most important thing to remind yourself after college is that it is completely OK not to know what you want to do with your life right after graduation. Trust me on this, it is absolutely alright. No need to beat yourself up for being unsure of a career when you are unsure about yourself.
Finding a purpose is a life-long search. But how do you figure out what you are passionate about, what your strongest skills are, where your interests truly lie? Well, there is only one answer, and that is experimentation.
It is the only way to clearly define your long-term goals and envision strategies to get there. However, once you decide to commit to a particular field of work, it is important to stay focused and determined, no matter what the situations are. Producing quality work rather than quantity should always be a priority.
Learning with enthusiasm
Instead of focusing on achieving success right away, the focus needs to be shifted towards growth, both at personal and professional levels. In order to achieve this growth, it is imperative to learn from your own as well as other peoples’ mistakes without any loss of enthusiasm.
We tend to emphasize too much on materialistic success of our work rather than the self-development achieved during the process. But this is not at all helpful in the long run.
So, thinking of long-term achievements rather than short-term success, we should pick the work which gives more scope and opportunities for growth over anything else. In simple words, the work content is more important than the work benefits.
Investing on skill-building
Most employers agree that graduates in Bangladesh, despite having a degree, lack the appropriate training and professional skills needed to sustain in this rapid-paced 21st century. Surprising, but true.
Most of these skills (missing among the graduates today) are basic soft and transferable skills like communication, leadership, time management and prioritization, dressing etiquette, oration, writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
So, before searching for a suitable job or dedicating yourself to a profession, it is extremely important to equip yourself with the right set of skills. The skills mentioned above can be achieved through engagement in community services and volunteerism, besides simultaneous participation in extra-curricular activities and pursuing internships/relevant work experience.
Moreover, building a social network is crucial in order to bring about positive changes in yourself as well as your surroundings.
Opportunities to deliver
In a country which happens to have a huge percentage of the overall population comprising of jobless young adults, the opportunities presented are so limited that even something as simple as an internship offer is difficult to secure.
So, my advice to all the graduates would be to have a positive go-getter attitude towards every opportunity presented in front of him or her. They should be committed enough to be the first ones in and the last ones out at work in order to maximize their knowledge/learning.
It is imperative for everyone to understand that there is no alternative to hard-work in order to achieve lasting success. And demonstrating the potential to work hard by trying to deliver the best performance not only gives a positive impression to the employer about the work ethic and dedication of the person, but also helps him/her build individualistic qualities of perseverance and ardour.
These qualities can take a person a very long way in life.
Maisha Mehzabeen works at the Dhaka Tribune, and is a graduate in economics