A student graduated from university was very proud with his life. After finished his bachelor degree of business administration from National University of Management, he went into social life with the hope of getting a job to support his life and career. However, that student could not find a job after almost five months after graduation even he asked for volunteer or intern without pay. Finally, he got a job as data clerk entry with only a monthly salary of USD 150. This was a story of mind in the 2000, the year I graduated from university.
You get success in your study, after that you have to encounter with social concerns such as getting a job. Not all graduated students in Cambodia get proper jobs. Today, numbers of students graduated are increasing with the increase in universities. The increase in graduation is also an increase in unemployment as private firms, civil society organizations and government institutions could not absorb the labor forces. The increase in population also added to the problem. However, this is a very big concern which shall be the government in its authority to solve. But let think of how to help graduated students to go into the social life with a proper job.
Regardless of quality of education, factionalism or nepotism, finding a job is a matter of knowledge and understanding of labor market and job opportunities and ways of applying for a job. This is my experiences I got in my life. As example, after my resignation from a Forte Insurance Cambodia in November 2000 to continue my study for a master degree in Economics at Royal Academy of Cambodia, I knew little about job society and about how to apply for a job. After graduated at the RAC, I got no job for almost six months. In January 2003, I got a job as Project Coordinator for Community Information Center with Open Forum of Cambodia. The job had provided me with experiences of applying for a job and taking written test and interview. At this point, I shall acknowledge that I received information of job opportunity from my friend, Ms. Nin Sokmalen, who encouraged me to apply. With my one year and two months at OFC, I applied another job and worked for another place, Commune Council Support Project. Since then, I understand that job opportunity and ways of applying including writing CV, conducting written test and taking interview, are very important. With this example, I think students graduated from universities should have a course with information of job opportunity to instruct them on how to apply for job. Training course on this subject shall be prepared. Or person who have experiences in this topic should share this to those who could not apply job by their own efforts and understanding.
Do you think getting a job is much interest to young people in Cambodia?
By Im Sokthy (Mr.)
