So, our fourth convocation had just taken place today, and within 24 hours, we have produced approximately one thousand fresh graduates who will now have to fend for themselves in the big bad world, after staying so comfortably in the university for three (or four) years.
And the next step is to get a JOB.
Before I started my M.Sc., my previous Supervisor once asked why didn’t I get some job experience before embarking on another project. I naively told him that I didn’t know what I could do with my degree. I didn’t know what the market for fresh Marine Biologists was like - back then we didn’t have Aquaria, remember? *winks*
What he told me next changed my views on the whole degree-must-match-with-job kind of thinking.
He said that we did not study in the university for three or four years just so we could get a job at the end of it. The courses we were taught throughout the duration of our studies were not tailored to guarantee employment upon graduation. I shook my head, indicating that I did not quite understand what he was talking about.
He added that the most important lesson that a student must learn in the university is the utilization of the soft skills that have been acquired. It is the soft skills like negotiating, public speaking, public relations, etc. that differentiates the street-smart from the book-smart.
Now, that makes sense, doesn’t it?
For example, you could be the top student in the entire batch but if you think that you are the smartest and hence act like a smart-a$$-know-it-all, THAT kind of attitude will bring you nowhere but home.
And, if you have problems with your roommates or housemates (everybody have issues with their housemates, so there’s nothing to be shy about), you could learn to solve those problems diplomatically. You may rant and b*tch about it but at the end of the day, you would still have to take some actions to end the issues once and for all. And the best thing is, you do NOT need to be a top student to know how to handle difficult roommates/housemates. It is all a matter of tact and a bit of public relations thrown in. If you cannot handle people of the same age group as yourself, imagine having to control a group of people from different family and educational backgrounds and ideologies. Do not be surprised to learn that the lecturers will NOT teach you how to solve the who-throws-the rubbish-today problem, or the please-flush-the-toilet problem, or the can-you-please-switch-the-light-off issue.
Bear in mind that these are the more important lessons that you should acquire. And like Moz Monster says, it is the A in your ATTITUDE that counts, not so much the A in your grades.
I think I have just turned from blogging to NAGGING *shrugs*
Anyway, I am pretty sure my humble little blog is NOT read by many KUSTEM students, but I would still like to congratulate them on their graduation. It takes a lot of little successes to make a big one 
If you think this post might benefit other bloggers:
not nagging lah, just call it “words of wisdom from pelf”. it just shows that you’ve matured lah~
=P
btw, being invaded by the colour PURPLE was quite an experience!! but it made them more obvious on the road so we could dodge them on bikes. *lol*
pelf: You are now slowly accepting purple as the “official” colour, huh?
One of the inevitable perils of getting old… the increasing itch to nag!
Kustem eh? I suspect more and more that one of my friend’s brother is your coursemate, cos the sister is always going on and on about turtles *zips lip and resists very strong urge to ask for more details*
pelf: Hmm.. There were only 5 Chinese and 2 Malay boys in my course (my batch la) and I don’t think you know ANY of them
Your friend’s brother could be my junior *winks*
It’s OK to nag ‘cos it’s fun & satisfying to write in your blog the good things (& the bad - hopefully not too much bad things will come your way) that happen to you every day.
Besides, that’s what life is made of - good things & bad…
All the best, Pelf.
pelf: Hhaahha, it’s fun to nag, this is the first time I am hearing it :)
Well done !!! While a great education is undeniably important, it’s one’s attitude towards life, and the soft skills that matters most in the workplace.
Go into the market with your eyes wide open, and embrace challenges as a means for your own personal growth, an opportunity to learn, grow and benefit from the experience.
pelf: Will etch all these in my heart so that I can always remember your advice
you can nag me anytime, because they’re filled with wisdom
pelf: Moz is filled with wisdom, Pelf is not *winks* Kakkaa..