A lot of us would want to take the opportunity to work overseas. However, do we have what it takes? It may not be as simple or easy as what we think. We might assume of the life our friends or family who has experienced working overseas, but not when we, ourselves, being situated there and what is expected from global employability. This time around, Ms.Patricia Chua (CEO, KDU University College) and Mr.Richard Chua (Programme Leader, Creative Arts Department) attempted to fill in the shoes of Oprah by pulling off an Opray Winfrey-like show and opened up the discussions to the floor on global employability, as well as sharing tips and experiences on how to enter and excel as a global executive. The Teaching & Learning Colloquium series 8 took place at KDU University College, Damansara Jaya campus on 2nd March 2012.
Some of the things which were being discussed on the day, was the key attributes one has to have, problems one would be facing, how to ensure we remain globally marketable and the ability to adapt.
"When we speak English, we somehow do not feel like an European, or when we speak Chinese dialects, we won't feel like we are speaking the same like those in China. However, the main central idea here is, you need to be a human capital. You need to be useful, being able to adapt and therefore, we need to be trained, where other countries are being able to accept you. It is all about the adaptability," Richard said.
"Each country wants to protect their fresh graduates. Like example, in Hong Kong, it is not an easy task to even get a work permit there. It is however, your mindset, whether you are keen to work abroad personally. I always wanted to work abroad, just to find out the competencies I needed. Language, is the most important attributes of them all. You may have a high knowledge of a particular subject or skills, but if you do not have the language competency, it is highly impossible for you not to get through. For me, I have a mindset that I really want it, and I will always live and work in 3 different countries. You must want to work abroad badly, and although there will be obstacles, you need to just jump over the obstacles," Ms.Pat Said.
She continued, "The next thing in line, is communication. Not to brag but to communicate and getting to know someone. We need to make an effort to find out about a person you are going to meet. If you have an idea about the person you are supposed to meet, be it business partners, clients, agents, or even someone prestigious, it would be better to do a slight research about them. In that case, you would have an idea about the person and what they do. This makes it easier to strike a conversation, and to talk about what's relevant and in-line with what they are doing. It is important to have friendship, be it the younger or the older."
Both of the main speakers also agreed on inter-generation friendships. The young ones will keep you posted on updates, latest happenings and trends, whereas the older ones shares words of wisdom.
"There is something unique being in South East Asia. This is because of our position in the margin. We are clear on what is happening in other countries. Example, when the westerners go into China, it is a whole new world for them and they won't know what is happening. However, we will be able to see things clearer because we are here nor there. Being here nor there, is already a fixed position for us," He explained.
The main question in this discussion is, "Do young graduates really have the urge and want to work abroad?", "Do they have the determination to work there?", "Do you have what is takes, your competencies?'. It is more of going to grab the opportunity rather than going with the flow.
Overall, global employability is about adaptability, multi-professionalism, embracing diversity, listening, and cultural blending, The event was organized by the Teaching and Learning Centre of KDU University College.
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