Why Continuous Skill Development is Essential for Success and Employment - Essay Example

Continuous Skill Development is Essential for Success and Employment Honing one’s skills can greatly assist in a person’s aim to find a good job in the future. As students are taught various techniques in school, it must also be noted that these trainings are not only intended to help them achieve good grades---it is also directed to give support as they eventually chase their dreams and aspirations. (Hillage, Tampkin P, 1999) wrote, “Employability is a concept that has joined the mainstream of individual, human resources and national policy vocabulary. It has been summoned as the means by which individuals can cope with changing employment conditions, organisations can maintain their ability to adapt and succeed and the nation can enhance its competitiveness. However, despite such grand hopes, pinning down the concept can be elusive and turning the rhetoric into anything that can serve as a firm basis for action can be frustrating.” We, as students, are required to sit for hours for few years (four years for us) in classrooms to get adequate training, making certain that they would be fully equipped when they start to spread their wings. At times, sitting inside the room and forcing one’s self to attentively listen to a somewhat boring lesson could be frustrating. Majority do not appreciate the fact that each session is an opportunity to learn new things---or in some cases---to enhance what had already been learned. Most of us students are not even aware, not until after graduation perhaps, that every single lesson is important and would one day be an indispensable tool in attaining a high paying job. For instance, becoming skilled at debits and credits in basic accounting will one day help in a significant way, in numerous ways. Accounting is something that we make use of everyday, and it can also aid in getting a good career. Trial balance had been confusing, but as I tried to study I have also came to understand it. Indeed, it can be said that each lesson, no matter how little, can create great impact to a persons employability. Each moment in the classroom, when given importance can result to a greater output. There are countless benefits when a person goes to school and when he puts his heart to it. Having the genuine interest to learn, no matter how difficult, is one good way to start a promising future. As I have gradually mustered to speak English each day at the university, I have also mustered the courage to interact with classmates from different parts of the world. It is a fact that English is the universal language and it is a remarkable instrument for me to one day get a job that I wish for. Being in a place that was once strange to me, I choose to see the best side of it. Instead of trying to become aloof or distant, I have opened my mind to the opportunity of meeting new friends, learning new cultures---while understanding the issues of differences and acknowledging the importance of respect and acceptance---no matter how different some people are. I have made a lot of friends in school, which I feel also made me a better person. It makes me appreciate the value of friendship, which, again, is an interpersonal skill and could be quite valuable in the future. At first, it was a struggle. It was not easy to have to speak a foreign language like my own. And neither was it easy to immediately adapt to new things and new traditions. Then again, it all depends on how we take things, and as I look back, I come to see that the things that were most difficult for me are also the things that can make things easier in the future. Being able to speak the English language fluently is quite an advantage, and this skill was progressively developed as I mingle with classmates and teachers on a daily basis. As we all try (me and my classmates) to embrace the issues of business, as it is an important part of our four course, we also learned to embrace our differences. Certainly, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are truly important. Classmates became friends, and my once lonely scholastic life (only during the adjustment period) changed. Being proficient in computer applications is also vital. I still remember how pleased I was to learn various techniques in Power point and Excel. As simple as it may seem, I am quite aware that these are quite fundamental especially this time that almost everything is done in computers. I have also became skilled in other computer applications. My natural inclination to gadgets makes me enjoy this area of studies. As we are aware with the importance of high grades, regarding such academic accomplishment as one bridge to a good future, I have always tried to make certain that I understood each lesson. I have learned that as I tried to understand the lesson, I also came to understand the value of friendship and trust---knowing and believing that my friends and mentors would be always be there to help me out. I also understood the importance of helping others in return. In lessons where I felt I was doing well, while others could not immediately catch up, I willingly shared what I know as I believe that helping others understand what I have already learnt is a continuous skill development. I allotted some time to help those who could not fully understand the lessons, the same way that my friends have spent some time to enlighten me more on subjects which I have found a bit difficult. Another skill which I have slowly gained knowledge of is reporting. I eventually became more confident and comfortable as we were trained to make presentations in front of the class. Again, this will be a great tool for me once I finish college and proceed with job hunting, especially for my course. However, nobody is perfect. My imperfection is that I have always found it hard to write my assignments. Another flaw of mine is that I am quite forgetful. Such defect can actually be resolved by simple means such as taking notes and placing reminders---one skill that I also need to work on. As a preparation for future employment, I have also successfully completed my first CV. It was not quite impressive since there wasnt much to mention. However, I am certain that once I finish my degree, there will be better things to write on my resume. I have returned to my country (Kuwait) for a while, and there I got the chance to be part of Kuwait International Automobile Club. It was a great experience, a fun way to enhance my driving skill. The experience was great, not to mention that the team were very nice. My love for sports can also be an additional point to hit a good job. Sports teaches a lot of things. With playing with my team I learned sportsmanship, discipline and perseverance. Sports taught me how to be patience. From it I learned that in life, we cannot always win. I have also accepted that sometimes, even when we lose, we are still victorious. I know that at the moment, there are still so much that I need to know. Consequently, I also came to understand that for as long as I have the drive to learn what I do not know, and to enhance what I already know---I would have good chances of getting the job that I would be proud of. Currently, I am sharpening my skills in mathematics. I can proudly say that it is something that I am actually good at. This skill would be indispensable for me as a business course graduate. My computer skills are still being worked on. However, I can also state that compared to some, I am more proficient where I could actually use this electronic with my home works and lessons. I consider my sense of humor as a gift, since not all people have it. I can make my friends laugh, and it may not directly help me during the interview process, I think it could assist in getting promotions or other fields like sales and marketing. It is sometimes overwhelming to think that one day, I would have to take care not only of myself but of my family as well. It is quite overpowering to imagine that I would someday have to provide for someone. Then again, what could seem like a tremendous responsibility could also serve as an inspiration. Rather than crushing over my insecurities and fears for such huge accountability few years from now, I use it as something to push me to do better in school. When I find it difficult to wake up in the morning to attend my classes, I think of my dreams. When I feel lazy to do my assignments, I think of my parents. Despite my weaknesses and apprehensions, I get hold of the courage that I need to go on. I would not forget how terrified I was on my first few days at the university. Feeling new and awkward like a fish out of water, we were immediately tasked to do a group work. I had this sentiment that I was different from the rest and what made me more worried is the thought that the professor might ask something I did not know and I would be embarrassed in front of my classmates. Nevertheless, things went out just fine and I came to realize that my classmates were just as apprehensive as I was. I was not a good student. I was one of the typical ones who wait for the last minute from deadline and cram. I leave things to till the last moment. Conversely, I know that it is not a good trait and that I should change it. I cannot change overnight, but little by little, I am able to spend more time doing things earlier and submitting projects promptly. I would someday submit reports with deadlines, and I know that is exactly the reason why I need to change this negative habit. Not someday, but now. Definitely, I see myself accomplishing my dreams. I know within me that I can slowly get to where I want to go. It does not hurt to dream, it is our aspirations that bring hope to us. I intend to pursue what I want and I am very much conscious of the importance of working on my skills and polishing my imperfections. As a student, I take each day as an opportunity to prepare for the real world, where I would put everything that I learned into practice. My four years in school would be my instrument to carry out my long term plans. I do believe that the best key to success is knowing where you intend to go and understanding the means to get it. Being able to recognize the needs to prepare for what is aspired for could be the first best step towards victory. Reference List Hillage, Tampkin P, November 1999, Employability and Employer: The Missing Piece of the Jigsaw, . Name: Khalid Alfailakaw 128 The Aspect, 140 Queen Street Cardiff Mobile phone: 07590266169 Email: Mercedes_500cl@hotmail.com Education: 1995-1999 (Mohammed Alshaiji Primary School) 1999-2003 (Alrumaithiya secondary school) 2003-2007 (Abdul-Razaq Albaseer Secondary school) Previous Experience: Kuwait International Automobile Club (June-August/2009) *Experienced giving International Licenses to the customers. *Good communication with employers and customers. Skills: Excellent with Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and Email. Languages: English and Arabic. Personal Details: Date of birth: 24/05/1989 Marital Status: Single Nationality: Kuwaiti Full driving license Health: Excellent ; non-smoker Hobbies and interests: Playing football, table tennis and swimming. Travelling. Internet chatting. Reading. Future Goals: To work and have a desirable position in a company where I could practice what I have learned in school. An organization which would make me a better person through further trainings and seminar Read More