LAUNCHING NEW CAREERS: Daren Yoong, a LinkedIn relationship manager sharing what employers look for during his talk at UCSI University.

WHAT BOSSES WANT: Daren Yoong encouraging students to be active outside of the classroom to stand out to employers.

CONFIDENCE GAINED: Finance and Investment student Leevya Geethanjali felt more reassured about entering the working world after attending the LinkedIn talk at UCSI.

KUALA LUMPUR: To gives students a head start in achieving their dream jobs, UCSI University (UCSI) organised a career talk with LinkedIn – a professional networking service that is widely believed to be the largest in the world. Titled “Discover Possibilities at LinkedIn”, the talk was well received by UCSI students across all faculties. 

The guest speaker was Daren Yoong, a LinkedIn relationship manager responsible for building long-term relationships with companies across South East Asia to improve the way they hire and retain talents. 

With his experience liaising with companies to hire the best and the brightest, Yoong shared valuable industry tips to the participants. 

Daren explained that drive is the characteristic that employers seek for in fresh graduates today. 

“Many of the employers that I have met commented on the Gen-Y’s lack of enthusiasm towards their careers. The impression is that Gen-Yes students want less stress or responsibility but higher pay,” he said. 

He added that having a strong drive will impress employers and increases the chances of being hired by promising companies. 

Daren also advised UCSI students against limiting themselves to academic achievements only. 

“Employers want to hire well-rounded individuals and not just graduates who only mastered their majors in university.” 

The talk was enthusiastically received by participants, who voiced their satisfaction towards the event. 

According to BSC (Hons) Finance and Investment student Leevya Geethanjali, UCSI does a great job of organising talks such as this as it gives her more insight on how to transition from student to working professional. 

“The talk was certainly useful as I was able to understand LinkedIn better and how it can help me to achieve my dream career. I am going to open an account once I get back home!” she said.