It’s Time to Be Well Rounded, By Afiq Shahril (PE, 3rd year 1st Semester)

               

                It is no longer a secret that the oil and gas industry is facing one of its biggest challenges. This crisis definitely raises dilemma among the employees in this sector. With the price of oil ranging from 25 USD/barrel to 40 USD/barrel, everyone seems to think twice before entering the industry. The banks are now terrified to even consider giving loans to the oil and gas workers. This definitely adds salt to the wound. This issue not only affects the industry especially countries that rely on it.

                It is also affecting our students in Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). Some of us have been dreaming to work in oil and gas industry and now they have a huge obstacle to overcome before reaching their ultimate dream. It is undeniable that most companies are reducing their hiring rate. We have heard a few big guns in the industry released their workers after cutting down their capital expenditure to survive this unfortunate crisis. It is inevitable to feel nervous and worry, especially for those who are about to graduate and start seeking for jobs.

                As a student, we don’t have that big of a power to turn things back to the way they were. Nonetheless, we can still develop ourselves to be the perfect candidate to be hired by those companies regardless of the crisis. We have heard the term “Well Rounded Students” quite a number of times throughout our years of studying here. It is time to make it real and be that kind of student. To do that, we need to equip ourselves with vital skills to ensure and increase our chances when competing with other candidates out there. 

                Being a student in UTP, we are lucky because we have quite a number of opportunities to develop our leadership skill. The events that we have joined will definitely not be a vain effort. Those events helped tremendously in shaping ourselves as leaders. Furthermore, it will be a huge advantage for us if we are able to equip ourselves with skills in using complex software such as AutoCAD, Photoshop, CATIA and a lot more. Not many realise that these extra skills will come in handy when you set your foot in the industry. Companies nowadays do not really hire bookworms but they hire someone who possesses both technical skills and social skills. If you are active in sports, it would be even better. Advantage of sports will come into play when pursuing for jobs because it shows that you can be an outdoor person and at the same time, it portrays your talents. These little things that we used to overlook are actually important in grooming ourselves into a better person and a better employee.

                We know that this crisis will not last forever. However, we cannot predict when things will go back to the way they were. Therefore, in the meantime, we need to equip ourselves as much as possible to survive the reality that awaits us. It is never too late to start, but if you are not planning anything, then you are planning to fail.