SINGAPORE: Getting a short-term internship while still in school is a common cause for excitement. Graduation, on the other hand, brings with it a shift in expectations. For many people seeking employment security, anything less than a full-time permanent position is insufficient.
Still, with COVID-19 affecting the economy and squeezing the labor market, it may be time to take a fresh look at short-term work and post-graduate internships.
According to the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey, while more graduates were employed within six months of finishing their final examinations last year than in 2019, the number of full-time permanent positions fell sharply from 81.7 percent in 2019 to 69.8% last year.
More than a quarter worked part-time or on a contract basis. In 2019, this share was more than tripled. Because of the ongoing uncertainties in the business environment, organizations are taking a careful hiring approach, building a hybrid model of full-time employees and competent contract specialists to meet the increased need for specialist expertise in industries like IT and digital marketing.
Their contingent workforce could include freelancers, independent professionals, independent contractors, or consultants, in addition to temporary contract workers. Companies can be more flexible in responding to changing demands while also lowering their fixed personnel expenditures. LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED. While temporary occupations provide less job security, they should not be viewed as time-consuming endeavors from the perspective of the worker. In fact, they provide crucial opportunities to develop new skills and gain experience, which are notably lacking among recent grads.
A year in a company where you can learn on the job and from more experienced coworkers is beneficial not just in terms of developing and honing hard and soft skills, but also because the experience may be highlighted on your CV to help you obtain your next position more readily.
READ: Opinion: New graduates with no full-time work experience must use innovative means to get work.
READ: Commentary: My imposter syndrome was a flaw until I realized how to use it to my advantage. A recent graduate I met stated that with only a year of experience, he was qualified for a considerably bigger pool of opportunities in his profession, where employers frequently require up to three years of experience. He felt more assured in his talents. When he approached hiring managers, they were more interested in interviewing him once they realized he had some practical work experience rather than none.
Short-term contracts and internships are possibilities for those unclear about their interests and planned career path to check out a job and employer without having to commit to a long-term relationship with extended notice periods.
When it comes to work and a profession, such experiences are a great method to uncover your skills, limitations, likes, and dislikes. This self-awareness should lead to better career choices in terms of work functions and industry in the future. A THING COULD LEAD TO A THING COULD LEAD TO A THING COULD LEAD TO A THING COULD Contract work and post-graduate internships are frequently followed by full-time employment.
Ms Muslihah Mujtaba, 26, earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre practice from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London in December 2019. While looking for jobs, the 26-year-old works as a Foodpanda delivery rider. (Photo courtesy of Muslihah Mujtaba) )
As of April, almost 680 of the 9,200 graduates who had enrolled in the SGUnited Traineeships Programme had been offered full-time conversions with their host organizations or had obtained full-time employment elsewhere, according to Workforce Singapore.
They get to try you out in the same way that you get to try out an employer. A contract worker who excels will almost certainly be offered the opportunity to stay with the company after their contract expires. According to our experience, up to 40% of short-term contract candidates are offered contract renewals or permanent employment, whether inside the same organization or elsewhere. Fresh graduates, on the other hand, must be strategic in choosing which organizations to work with. After all, based on the information presented above, most people do not believe that their shorter-term contracts will lead to longer-term work. READ: Commentary: Why some Singapore workers can’t wait to get back to work READ: Why does annual leave seem less relaxing without vacation, and what can be done about it As a result, recent grads should examine the company’s medium to long-term business goals to see if their function is critical to accomplishing them. For a contract data analyst position, for example, find out whether the company aims to improve its use of big data to make strategic business decisions through talks with people in the industry, present and former employees of the organization, as well as news sources. Determine the size of the current team and how many more individuals will be required to accomplish business objectives in the next months and years. How much experience do new team members need? The answers to these questions will assist you in determining whether or not long-term employment is a viable option. Don’t be afraid to ask the hiring manager directly whether conversion is a possibility. Trying out the job could be advantageous if you are comfortable with the answer. You must do your share in order to boost your chances of being offered something more long-term or permanent. Keep an open mind and a desire to learn and succeed. Determine the company’s core values and create value in accordance. This will raise your profile among important decision-makers. EXPAND YOUR PERCEPTION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DESIRABLE EMPLOYER Consider which types of organizations will provide the most value to your growth if short-term contract proposals are all you’ve been getting lately. While global organizations and huge brands can help you polish your resume, I wouldn’t rule out start-ups because they have fewer resources and are thus more ready to take a chance on recent graduates who aren’t looking for high pay.
In March, more than 1,100 people attended a career fair organized by start-ups to search talent, with roughly 300 opportunities available. (Photo courtesy of Hafiz Ma’il)
Because of their modest size, new graduates are more likely to be given important duties and, as a result, gain more professional experience.
Remember that even short-term assignments provide opportunity to expand your network, since coworkers can become friends and mentors who can help you find your next position.
Since COVID-19, I’ve encountered a number of people, even mid-career professionals, who are turning to ad-hoc project work for the flexibility, variety, and diversification of their risk of being laid off.
A portfolio job, which includes collaborations with a variety of companies, provides graduates with a wide range of expertise and expands their network.
WORK FOR FREE?
While short-term contracts, project work, and internships are all better than being unemployed, what about unpaid internships?
The positives must, as with everything, outweigh the negatives.
Glints, a tech start-up founded by three young Singaporeans, strives to connect young adults with internships and permanent jobs. (Glints photo)
Is there a lot of opportunity to learn and network at this job? Is it a position that will allow you to obtain a talent or expertise that you won’t be able to get anywhere else? Is it with a company that your resume gains value? Most organizations, in our experience, pay interns; but, if a company states it won’t, find out why by interacting with people in the sector, past or current employees who may be able to explain, and reading what people are saying about it on employment sites like Glassdoor. READ: Commentary: Employees can assist in the identification of COVID-19 zombie businesses There’s no wrong in dipping your toe into the arrangement if the organization truly lacks funds, is open about it, and presents chances that you believe justify the loss of remuneration in the short term. Opportunities for fresh graduates to broaden their concept of gainful employment must be taken advantage of. It may not be prudent to twiddle your thumbs or send out your CV with a focus just on full-time permanent positions at this time. Instead, concentrate on getting started and preparing yourself for better prospects down the road. Jaime Lim is the Group Business Leader of PeopleSearch, a Singapore-based executive search and outplacement agency with offices in six countries./n
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