Singapore - As more fresh graduates take up jobs not pertaining to their area of study, what are the advantages and pitfalls of doing so?

With few personal commitments, fresh graduates are often more willing to take risks and venture into undiscovered territories and are more keen to experiment to decide if the field they choose to go into is the right one.

For Keith Wong, assistant vice president of technology solutions - core banking, trade & cash management, group operations & technology in OCBC Bank, he graduated with a degree in Marketing but felt there were better career prospects and personal development opportunities in IT and chose a career in that field instead.

Wong had the opportunity to take up several courses like the Certified IT Project Management Training under Program Altitude, designed by OCBC's Group Operations & Technology to equip  IT staff with technical and functional competencies. He believes the training made him more aware of the factors which affect the success of a project and allowed him to better appreciate the IT project management processes.

Speaking from his personal experience, by venturing out of their comfort zones, Wong feels fresh graduates will be more creative and "bring with them a fresh perspective to their job roles".

The challenge of performing unfamiliar tasks also gives them the opportunity to demonstrate their adaptability, analytical and decision making skills at a young age, Wong adds. In addition, there are many companies that value diversity in their workforce, and some provide specialised training programmes to help employees from different backgrounds develop the skills to excel.

The main challenge when taking up a job outside one's area of study is trying to understand how the industry works and its accompanied regulations, says Wong. However, he feels it can be managed by "possessing a positive work attitude and attending relevant training programmes to acquire the necessary skills".

Wong believes fresh graduates should be realistic and keep an open mind to the jobs available to them in this economic downturn. They should also be willing to learn beyond what they already know. "Equally important is to join the right organisation that is willing to invest in your personal growth, as not only does it realise your career aspirations but it also helps you to achieve a fulfilling career in the career path that you have chosen."