First steps into the real world

“For the past six months, I had worked as a teacher in a private school. I taught English, Maths, History and Art to children aged five to 13. A normal school day would run from 9am to 6pm. I learned to be patient, to manage my time well and to interact with children of different ages. I would highly recommend teens to get a part-time job while waiting for their SPM or O-Level results.” — Allyssa Bang, 18, Multimedia University, Melaka

“I teach Maths in a centre specialising in both Maths and English. It gets hectic at weekends. I have to make sure that the students finish their work and do their corrections before going home. Taking up a part-time job is not just for the extra pocket money, but we can also learn ways to communicate with others.” — Ong Jia Yee, 19

“I work as a part-time assistant for a high-end Italian clothing line in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. My job mainly involves tiding up the clothes and when the store gets busy, attending to customers. I have learned to gauge the different materials and sizes of the clothes. I have also met some high-profile clients, including politicians and socialites. I would definitely recommend teens to get out of their comfort zones and explore the job offers available. Remember, it’s not only about the money, but also the experience you’re getting to propel yourself forward.” — Husain Ahmad Mohammad Ali, 19

“I’m an assistant teacher in a kindergarten. My day usually starts with reading books to the four-year-olds in three languages, followed by a break, during which I feed the children their meals and help them clean up. I’ll then assist them with their ABCs and numbers. I have learned to be patient because different children have different learning abilities. I have also learned to be respectful to my seniors and accept criticisms. All in all, I enjoy my job a lot, for I love being with children and playing a part in the early stages of their lives.” — Ong Min Ming, 19

“I worked as a waiter in a cafe for four months while waiting for my SPM results. On my first day, the cafe had a manpower shortage. Throughout the peak lunch hours, customers kept coming in. For four hours straight, all I did was collecting the dirty dishes and cleaning them up. Halfway through, I thought of giving up but I persisted till the end. My work experience, though brief, has taught me to be optimistic even during tough times. It has also given me insights into the working life.” — Lim Yee Ting, 19, INTI International University, Nilai, Negri Sembilan

“I have been working as a sales promoter in a souvenir shop for the past four-and-a-half years. My job involves attending to customers, and handling the products – from packaging, labelling and cleaning them to arranging them on the shelves. I have learned the importance of professionalism, which is to maintain a smile and serve my customers regardless of how disagreeable they may be. I have also become more aware of certain body language and expressions of the customers, thus allowing me to change my words according to situations.” — How Rui Xian, 21, Cosmopoint College Melaka, Melaka

This article was published in the Newspaper in Education (NIE) pullout by The Star Newspaper dated 31 July 2019