Dear Sir,
Q. I'm 24 years old and have good O/L results but I couldn't pass the A/L (Bio science) except the subject of English because I had some personal problems.
I have done a Diploma in computer science, while working at Dialog as a data verification officer, under an outsource company I have completed Diploma in sales management. Then I worked 3 months in Access Natural Water as a sales executive. Now I'm trying to go to UK to do a Degree.
 My wish is to study, in Sri Lanka I can't study while working that's why I'm trying to go to UK and do a Degree in Business Management.
My problem is I did Electronics for O/Ls and Bio Science for A/Ls. I don't know the Accounts side and I don't like the sales field either. I want to know is my route correct? And I won't give up studying, but if I stayed in Sri Lanka I can't study due to my problems.
Please advise me sir.
Seyedh Riyas.
Via Email
Dear Riyas,
A. I see a few gaps in your question, let me first put things in perspective to understand the roadblocks in your career.
- You have partly finished your A/Ls at the age of nineteen the latest and in the last five years have worked on your personal balance sheet
- In the last five years or so you have been working and trying out a few things which has not added value to your career
- You have acquired one technical qualification and one sales qualification to your list of qualifications and are yet to find the correct path
- You have the required funds to move out of the country
I see the need for you to focus on three areas:
- Getting into the right industry
- Finding the right company
- Building on your qualification
Firstly, based on the information provided, you can easily fit into the ICT industry, however based on your likes and dislikes the area you may need to focus on would be different, for example, you can get into customer service or even decision support areas in the company. In this manner you could leverage both qualifications.
Secondly you do have an issue with your CV, for example I see a problem of five years, where you have not stuck to a specific company nor have these jobs added value to you. Therefore there is a greater need for you to select the industry and to get into the correct company and going to the UK can only worsen the problem unless you find a suitable position in UK while studying, or you will end up at the age of 27 with another qualification but no experience behind it.
Spending the time and effort to develop your own technical skills is a great thing and will serve you well. However, it may not be the driving force behind your success. To achieve success you may consider these few tips.
- Find the correct path where you can use your abilities, for this you may need to talk to the experts and competent family and friends
- Set a CV target, where you need to get a good performance background by the age of 27. Build on this with a recognized qualification at the age of 28 and target a management position
- Learn to have fun, seek companies and a career that will make it fun for you. You should learn to enjoy the relationships, learning and the variety that life has to offer. Remember, money comes and goes, time just goes.
Dear Sir,
Q. I am 28 years old and work in an IT company, for the last seven years. Currently my position is Customer Account Manager. We work under pressure and lots of stress. I passed the LCCI UK Marketing exam in year 2008 and then followed the CIM Stage II but couldn't pass. Now Stage II syllabus has been changed. Please advise me as to what I should do, at the same time whether I should do the Stage II new syllabus or the old syllabus.
Aravinda
Via Email
Dear Aravinda,
A. Thank you for asking me a key question. Let me welcome you to the real world where you need to thrive on chaos. You have stated that you tried out Stage two old syllabus and I am assuming you have failed in all the subjects.
One of the key problems that we see with the LCCI syllabus is the inadequate content or many gaps when compared to the CIM, and therefore the student falling into a trap with the exemptions, however this has now been corrected.
You have a few options to consider:
- Finish the old syllabus prior to June 2010 and transfer the balance unfinished subjects in the new syllabus
- Finish the old syllabus through the assignment route, this way you also get exposed to assignments, without having to face the challenge in stage three
- Start the new syllabus , which has many advantages one being ,it is a higher level qualification equivalent to an Honours Degree
Speak to the local CIM branch for more information.
Stay the course.
Dear Mr. Failan Saleem
Q. This question is on behalf of my son who will be graduating this April in Bsc, Bio-technology. He is studying at a Malaysian university with the expectation that he could get employment over there in the same field.
But due to the current situation Malaysia is not considering any foreigners for jobs. What are his options in Sri Lanka, who will need his qualification in our country, besides continuing to Master's? I cannot see any opportunity for him in Sri Lanka. I would appreciate your advice.
Thank you,
Ashraff Samsudeen
Dear Ashraff,
A. First let me congratulate on your son's graduation, it is a pleasure to see parents taking a keen interest in such areas of career progression.
I need to see more specific information with regard to the subjects and the university to advice you further.
However I have listed out a few options:
- Weather the storm and seek options nearby, for example Singapore
- Use the exemption and recognition loophole to transfer to another country, maybe Australia or UK
- Use the hard time to build on experience in Sri Lanka, there are many opportunities available, however the return would be at least 60% less than working in another country
- As for the Master's I have one question, does he study first and acquire the required qualifications and then seek experience, or does he balance both experience and qualification concurrently?
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