Written by: Md Swaid Sameh
In today’s fiercely competitive world, it’s not enough to think that studying hard will make you stand out and stay ahead. Everyone has access to education and many hold certificates and high GPAs. It’s now essential to develop a set of practical skills, working techniques, and basic concepts that will make you employable and a valuable asset to any organization.
University is a critical platform for building a career, but you need to learn practical skills beyond your academic knowledge to stay ahead of the competition. Instead of wasting time chatting and wandering aimlessly online, one can explore the vast resources of the internet, including social media platforms where various government and private institutions and organizations organize career-related training, seminars, and workshops. Your university likely has career clubs that offer valuable information and opportunities as well.
To enhance your skillset, explore the different training, seminars, and workshops available, from government and private organizations. Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to gain communication, time management, leadership, event management, and control skills. Many national and international organizations, such as Volunteers for Bangladesh, offer volunteer opportunities for students.
IT skills are in high demand, and proficiency in MS Office applications, data science, coding, software management, digital marketing, and web design can be valuable assets in any career. Government and private IT institutes provide these skills training for free or at a nominal fee in short-term courses of 3-6 months.
The Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP) is a specialized government project under the Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh that provides free training to unemployed youth and students in sectors where there is demand, offering stipends and side jobs after training. Private organizations also offer job-based skills training for a fee.
Soft skills, such as English speaking, stage performance, presentation, investment, entrepreneurship, office management, CV writing, and various career and education-related boot camps or trainings are highly valued in the corporate world. Government and private organizations and institutions offer such trainings, and these skills will make you stand out from others in your field of study.
Participating in subject quizzes, seminars, carnivals, workshops, career fairs, summits, olympiads, and other events organized by various institutions throughout the year will allow you to expand your network, learn more, and create opportunities to acquire more skills in the future.
Mastering these skills during your studies will help you secure opportunities before you graduate. In today’s competitive job market, possessing practical skills, in addition to your academic education, is essential for building a successful career.