Start from bottom, UiTM’s best overall graduate tells job seekers

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KOTA KINABALU: Finding a job after graduation is not difficult if you are willing to start from the bottom, said UiTM graduate Shermaine Kristy Sarus.

Shermaine, who yesterday received the Best Graduate Award (Bachelor) (Best Overall), told reporters at the 87th UiTM Convocation event that she managed to secure a job only two months after completing her studies.

“It’s actually quite easy to get a job in my field, or in any field for that matter. The reason some graduates have difficulty finding work is because they are not flexible with pay. If that’s the case, surely it will be a challenge, but if you are willing to start from the bottom and work your way up, you will definitely get to the top. In any job, you have to start from the bottom, otherwise, it will be very difficult to get a job in the first place,” she said.

The 24-year-old now works as an audit assistant in an accounting firm where she began work in March, after finishing her studies in January.

Upon receiving her award yesterday, Shermaine said she was very happy and proud of herself, especially since she made her parents proud.

The second of three children, Shermaine plans to pursue her postgraduate studies and is saving up in the meantime.

The 87th UiTM Convocation saw a total of 700 graduates receiving Bachelor’s Degrees and Diplomas from six faculties, namely, Business and Management, Hotel and Tourism, Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Accounting and Applied Science, as well as Plantation and Agrotechnology.

The opening and closing ceremonies were officiated by UiTM Pro-Chancellor, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Safri Awang Zaidell, who also handed out diplomas, witnessed by UiTM Sabah rector, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Abdul Kadir Rosline, UiTM Sarawak rector Professor Dato’ Jamil Hamali, top university management, invited guests, staff, UiTM alumni, as well as families of graduates.

Three other top graduates also received special awards alongside Shermaine, namely, the Best Graduate Award (Diploma), Rector Special Award (Bachelor) and Rector Special Award (Diploma).

The recipients were Maya Magdeline Jeffry (Diploma in Business Studies), Nurfitri Harman (Bachelor of Science with honours, Biology) and Johnson Jesselton Lee Wee Hao (Diploma in Business Studies, Transport).

In conjunction with the convocation, the university held the Festival Semarak Konvo from November 11 to 14, where various activities were conducted such as Plantation and Agrotech Expo, career building forum, busking competition and pro revolution soccer tournament.