This article is sponsored by Talentbank.
Image via Mikhail Nilov/Pexels; Edited by MIX
Remember your first job? Both scary and exciting, it was a milestone that marked your entry into the crazy world of a working adult. It was also an important choice that you had to make—pick the wrong company and watch your career crash to the ground. Well, not really, but we didn’t know it then.
As many of our country’s young graduates get ready to join the workforce, they too, must make this big decision on who they’d like to work for. And it seems the answers lie in the Graduates’ Choice Award (GCA).
What did GCA 2023 reveal?
Returning for its 5th consecutive year, the GCA—Asia Pacific’s most authoritative graduate employer branding award—collected the votes of over 200,000 graduates from more than 100 universities across Malaysia. They showed that…
#1 Most preferred companies included Maybank, Uniqlo and Shopee
Focusing on inclusivity and diversity, the GCA recognised employers across 50 distinctive industries with the graduates’ favourites being:
Image via GCA 2023
Image via GCA 2023
Image via GCA 2023
Image via GCA 2023
Out of this list, the GCA 2023 results also spotlighted popular industries for employment, including banking, engineering, tech, accounting, and electronics. So, if you know a fresh grad who needs help in deciding which field to go into, these could be rewarding career paths to take.
#2 AIA, Maybank, Nestlé and Petronas have won for 5 consecutive years
Image via GCA 2023
This year, the GCA also introduced a new “Champion for 5 Consecutive Years” category to acknowledge the dedication of top employers.
#3 Salaries lower than RM3k are a no-go
The survey revealed a significant increase in salary expectation. Graduates are now asking for a pay between RM3,000 and RM3,500.
Besides the salary, flexible working opportunities and work-life balance were also listed as highly valued work perks. Other good-to-haves included bonuses, career development and a healthy company culture.
#4 In a surprising twist, employers think our fresh grads aren’t good enough
Employers rated career readiness among fresh graduates at 6 out of 10, with communication, interpersonal skills, and a positive attitude listed as critical skills that they seek when hiring.
GCA 2024 wants to hear from you
As GCA continues to guide fresh grads towards fulfilling careers and support organisations in their pursuit of top talent, your voice is needed for the next round of survey.
Voting for GCA 2024 is now open until 30 June 2023. All Malaysian undergraduates and graduates are invited to participate via their website. Voters also stand a chance to win an Apple MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 and more!
For more info on GCA, visit www.graduateschoiceaward.com. To learn more about Talentbank, the award’s organising body and award-winning career discovery ecosystem, head to www.talentbankgroup.com.