PETALING JAYA, Feb 16 — Will graduates settle for jobs that do not fit their qualifications in view of the tight labour market?

Universiti Malaya graduate Revathy Munusamy, 24, said she would not consider taking a blue-collar job even if she did not not receive job offers six months after graduation.

“Of course, I will look for other job opportunities. I am going to be a degree holder and will find a suitable job fitting my qualifications,” said the Language and Linguistic major who will graduate in August.

Revathy said she had worked as an operator in a factory temporarily after completing her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)  but this did not mean she would go back to a similar job.

“I have worked hard for this degree and it would be an insult to my qualifications if I end up in an unsuitable job. My family would be really disappointed if I did so. 

“The worst I could do is work in a customer service job and apply for better jobs,” she said, adding that she had started applying for jobs while waiting for the convocation ceremony.

Nur Nabilah Alias, 24, echoed  Revathy's sentiments, saying she was not prepared to do anything that did not suit her qualifications.

The Bioinformatics major at Management Science University said she would consider giving tuition to children or work as a pharmaceutical assistant as she could tap on the knowledge gained in university.

“But I will not work at restaurants or construction sites. I understand the country’s difficult economic situation but I will not opt for such jobs,” said Nabilah, who has started applying for jobs.

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College public relations graduate Chang Jean Lee, 24, said she had been applying for jobs since graduation last month but would only accept jobs that fitted her qualifiations.

“I might temporarily work at a café to earn some extra money but I will definitely not work at mamak restaurants,” she said.

Chang said the low salary would be a big problem as the cost of living in Kuala Lumpur was very high.