By Rebecca Rajaendram, the Star, 4 September 2022
Gen-Z in Malaysia is generally defined as those born between 1997 and 2012. Given that the people born towards the start of this generation are now in their 20s. Many are beginning their entry into the workplace.
Refer to the study entitled Laws of Attraction in 2020 by JobStreet Malaysia. It says that Gen-Z is concerned with:
- having a modern work environment emphasising personal development at the start of their working lives;
- placing environment issues as a top priority (Deloitte's 2021 Millenial and Gen-Z Survey); and
- drawn to being part of a cause that is bigger than themselves which means they wanted to contribute or being part of the cause.
Some of them had the beginning of their working lives and studies interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Alicia Ch'ng, Careers Advisory Service from the University of Nottingham (UNM) mentioned that universities and higher education institutions play a part in ensuring they are ready to join the workforce:
- Universities must work closely with industry when it comes to curriculum development to ensure the students' knowledge and learning experience both meet current industry requirements and consider the dynamic future of business and social development in the country; and
- Universities should prepare the graduates with the attitudes and skills that make them both global citizens and attractive to employers across a range of sectors to enable them to bring value to the employers they work with and bring innovation to their future work places.
- She believes that a university should be an institution that nurtures the newest generation joining the workforce and being conscious that key motivating factors for Gen-Z are work-life balance, mentorship and professional development opportunities; and
- She advises graduates to have positive attitude and show initiative as the saying goes, "You only get out what you put in." Great places to work have both good leadership and the support of a cohesive team.
Special thanks to the author of the news report (please click here for the original report online). I will translate the report into Bahasa Melayu for another section to help others who need help in capturing the current situation at the workplace and job market.
