By: Nazrul Rapail
Student of Bachelor of Arts (Malay Language and Linguistics), FBMK
SERDANG, March 23 – “Being at the university is not just to seek knowledge but also to gain various work experiences before facing the real work environment,” said Nur Syafikah Abdullah, who graduated at the 45th Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Convocation Ceremony today.
She successfully completed her studies at the Master’s level in the field of Malay Literature. She admitted that she needed to do various part-time jobs to cover her living cost on campus.
Her father, who worked as a bus driver, was laid off due to an earlier Movement Control Order (MCO), which prompted her to work harder to earn extra money while keeping herself occupied.
Nur Syafikah admitted that she did not come from a well-to-do family, and for her, working while studying at the university was an initiative to generate income.
“The fruit of my own labour is definitely more worthwhile and satisfying,” she said.
She learnt many new things while working and was able to adapt to the crowd.
“I have worked at the Putra Agriculture Centre (PPP) and as a part-time daily worker (PSH) at UPM’s Bursar Office. I have also worked in several coffee shops around Kolej Serempun,” she said.
She added that working while studying was not easy because there is a need to be smart in managing time well.
She was thankful that UPM cares about students and constantly opens ways and opportunities for students to generate income through job opportunities and volunteer programmes.
“With such opportunities, students can get a taste of working experience while learning about good time management. Some work can be done flexibly, and students need to manage their schedule right,” she said.
According to her, such noble efforts should be continued by UPM to help students. - UPM
Tambah beliau, bekerja sambil belajar bukannya mudah kerana perlu bijak dalam membahagikan masa dengan baik.
Beliau bersyukur kerana UPM sangat prihatin dengan pelajar kerana sentiasa membuka ruang dan peluang untuk pelajar menjana pendapatan melalui peluang pekerjaan dan program sukarelawan.
“Dengan ada peluang sebegini pelajar dapat menceburkan diri melalui pengalaman bekerja di samping dapat mempelajari tentang pengurusan masa dengan baik. Terdapat sesetengah pekerjaan dapat dilakukan secara fleksibel dan pelajar perlu menguruskan jadualnya dengan betul,” katanya.
Baginya perkara ini perlu diteruskan sebagai usaha murni UPM untuk membantu nasib pelajar. - UPM
