USM PENANG, 7 April 2026 – As the job market grows increasingly competitive and undergoes rapid change, today’s graduates can no longer depend solely on academic achievements to succeed.

They need to present themselves with confidence, having a strong grasp of soft skills, and a clear understanding of the current needs of the industry.

In looking at such industry demands, the organisation of the Career Talk Seminar at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) could be seen as an important initiative in assisting the students to prepare themselves holistically before stepping out into the job market.

The seminar was organised through a collaboration between the Graduate Career and Employability Sector (SKKG), with the support of the USM School of Social Sciences (PPSK) and the strategic partnership of GTI Media.

Held at SK 2 Lecture Hall, the programme served as a dynamic platform in enhancing the students’ level of preparedness so that they would step out into the working world with greater confidence.

A total of 197 final‑year students participated in the seminar, which was designed to be both comprehensive and focused.

The programme covered key topics such as effective techniques for writing resumes and cover letters, interview preparation, and other essential employability skills.

These insights were delivered through an engaging presentation by Alfred Leo, Director of Marketing, and Dylan Ling Essa, Content Creator for Marketing from GTI Media.

The strong commitment to this initiative was further reflected in the presence of PPSK academic management, including the Dean, Associate Professor Dr. Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan, and the Deputy Dean of Academic, Career and International, Dr. Boo Harn Shian.

Their presence not only supported the successful organisation of the programme, but also reflected the university’s strong commitment to ensuring that students excel academically while being holistically prepared to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Overall, the seminar’s well‑curated content successfully enhanced students’ readiness, from preparing proper documentation and building confidence during interviews to gaining a deeper understanding of industry expectations.

In addition, the programme served as an early, reinforced preparation ahead of the upcoming Career and Education Expo (EKSPEN) 2026 scheduled for June.

This initiative enables students to approach the expo with greater confidence, better preparation, and stronger competitiveness in securing future opportunities.

Original Text & Photo: Student Development Centre (PPP), Division of Student Development Affairs & Alumni (BHEPA), USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin