Consistent learning, upskilling vital in AI era
LETTERS If you’re a fresh graduate in 2025, the entry-level job market is rough. In Malaysia, youth unemployment is hovering around 10 per cent and AI is replacing many of the tasks that used to be stepping stones into full-time roles.
Employers are no longer focused on what’s written on paper. They’re looking for something harder to quantify: readiness. And increasingly, that means adaptability and AI literacy.
That second one needs to be taken seriously. AI literacy today is not about typing clever prompts into ChatGPT or generating funny images to share online.
It’s about understanding how AI is changing workflows, business models, customer behaviour, and showing that you know how to apply it, not just experiment with it.
Many graduates feel stuck because they’re conditioned to believe opportunity only comes through formal channels like job portals, interview panels, or internship programmes.
But informal visibility now moves faster and more meaningfully than traditional routes.
Just start. Document your learning. Ask thoughtful questions. Be generous in giving credit to others. Over time, this becomes your professional presence.
That doesn’t mean giving up on the job market. Keep applying, tailor your applications, explore platforms like Maukerja, JobStreet, and LinkedIn, and take freelance or short-term roles if they help build relevant experience.
But while you’re doing that, keep your long-term strategy in mind. The long game means upskilling.
Focus on what’s aligned with growing sectors like AI, environmental solutions, cloud infrastructure, or health innovation.
Build personal projects that reflect these interests and show what you can do, not just what you’ve studied. Reach out to peers, mentors, former lecturers, or alumni.
Your next opportunity could come from a recommendation, not a listing. Most importantly, document your growth. Let people see not just your outcomes, but how you’re improving. This is what long-term thinking looks like in 2025.
If you’re just starting out in your career, you might not land your dream job immediately. You may accept something that isn’t ideal just to get going.
Keep a record of what you’re learning. Ask questions, even if you feel unsure. And always have a side project that keeps you challenged: not just for your resume, but for your confidence.
Malaysia’s job market will eventually recover. The AI transition will stabilise. New industries will mature.
