The latest trends for graduating students getting job opportunities should be substantially increased to maintain the current economic growth.
Experts said that the avenues of more job opportunities should be widened with more diversification in jobs, particularly for fresh graduating students who can vastly contribute to the nation’s development.
Many corporate houses have already started recruiting such students at the Dhaka International Trade Fair and the trends seems to be becoming popular every year.
Every year when the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair begins on the English New Year’s Day, a substantial number of students get opportunity of working at various stalls and pavilions there.
Dozens of companies and business houses offer part-time jobs to college and university students for a month where these students learn and earn. Many consider this as a career opportunity.
The financial packages the companies offer are lucrative and rewarding as well. On average a student would earn between Tk 500 and Tk 1,500 per day at the fair.
Scores of students have got part-time jobs as a part time while others are working to meet their financial needs.
When asked, several part-timers said things are exciting here as they come into contact with hundreds and thousands of visitors at the trade fair as a career launch pad.
They get scope for making contacts with high-profile people and companies for their future work after successfully completing their studies.
Sabikunnahar Sinthiya studies MBA at North South University. She got a temping job at the trade fair as a salesgirl at an IFAD pavilion.
She told Bangladesh Post, “I am enjoying working here. I have seized this chance to expand my network with others which will help me get a desired job on completion of my studies.”
“As I have a semester break now and I have no problem working. I have learnt some technical know-how and also been exposed to good teamwork. In fact, as a student of marketing, it’s part of our studies.”
Farhana Zaman Nuhin working at the same pavilion, is a student of philosophy at Eden Women’s College. She said, “It is splendid working here as I get to interact with varieties of people. I’ve gathered some experience in building communication skill from my job here.”
“At the same time, I’ve got a chance to earn some money which will help me meet my academic as well as personal expenses,” she added.
Jobaida Mitu works for Walton. She said, “I’m studying social works at Mirpur College and live in Mirpur with my family. I’m happy to be here. The experiences I gain here would certainly held me to apply for better job.”
Many students travel abroad for higher studies and seek part-time jobs there to overcome the financial crisis. If they get scope at home earning and able to pay for tuition fees, many such students have said they are willing to prefer to stay here instead of pursuing studies abroad.
They said the government cannot alone ensure part-time jobs for all the students. More corporate houses should come forward with employment opportunities.
Senior research fellow Dr Nazneen Ahmed of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies told Bangladesh Post that some students have recently expressed interests to work as part-time worker which is positive for the national economic growth.
“However, it is not significant compared to other developed countries like in the United States where part time workers dominate working in industries,” she noted.
Nazneen said the government can encourage agencies to recruit students as part-timers by giving them incentives like bank loans or some other facilities.
“An annual award for the highest recruiter of students can also be introduced to motivate other employers,” she mentioned.
Nazreen said that the students can do part-time jobs which are already in offer including in restaurants, hotels, super malls and hospitals.
Atiqur Rahman, executive director of Lakeshore Hotels in Dhaka, said the students who are now at the end of their studies can take hospital management as a profession.
“Hotel industry is booming, both, locally as well as globally. If you rewind five years from today, the were fewer hotels but today the opportunities have grwon, he told this correspondent.
“Currently, most reputed global brands are in Bangladesh for business. Fresh graduates can apply for employment with such international brands. There is a vast avenues of career-building opportunities. Even college students can work part-time in hotels.”
Like other developed countries, the trends of part-time employment should be introduced in Bangladesh too. Business houses and the government should work together to this end, economists say.
Bangladesh has only 21 years left to graduate into a developed country by 2041. Existing $1,500 per capita income must be more than $12,000 to realize the dream. This means, per capita income must be increased by nearly eight times from the current level.
Economists said it is not impossible to achieve the target but it is a difficult task. The government should do this with a combined effort.
The foremost task ahead is to ensure jobs for all students after completing their studies to make the country a developed one.
They said the government should ensure temping jobs for students to help them gain hands-on experience.
The World Bank former lead economist Zahid Hossain said students are working as part timer which will contribute to increase economic growth.
“Every country’s students get this opportunity in a large scale.” he said.
The government should encourage students to involve in different part time works as well as to create massive jobs opportunities for them in different categories especially through internet like freelancer, he mentioned.
