Get enlightened about your prospects in the job market in Bangladesh from individuals with a wide range of experience in multiple big industries across the country.
Q: To begin with, we would like to know, where were you born and brought up? Please give us a small glimpse at your academic background.
Ishtiaq Ahmed: I was born in Barishal City. My grandmother looked after me for about a year as my mother was attending Dhaka University at that point in order to complete her Masters. I spent my golden first 6 years of my life in Ghorashal and since then was brought up in Dhaka. I completed my initial schooling in Mohammadpur Government Boys High School. The teachers of this school implanted the basic foundation of quality learning in me. I finished my HSC in BAF Shaheen College and then went for my B.Com (Pass) from Dhaka City College. Finally, I completed MBA from IBA of DU with a major in marketing.
Q: You have a very interesting blend in your career. You started with the Tobacco Industry then got into the Telecom Industry, then the Healthcare Industry and now you work in the Energy Industry. It sounds like the path of a dream career for millions! How has the experience been like for you?
IA: I am one of the very few corporate professionals who have experience in diversified industries like FMCG, Telco and Energy. I have also worked in different magnitudes of portfolios, even within the FMCG industry (e.g. Tobacco, Carbonated Soft Drinks, Consumer Healthcare, Health & Hygiene). Someone needs to have the courage and confidence to travel through the roads not taken by most of the people. I have achieved a noteworthy professional transformation through such extremely challenging career paths in diversified industries. I can proudly claim myself as a game changer, all due to the blessings of Allah.
Q: In which industry have you enjoyed working the most?
IA: I have enjoyed working the most in the FMCG industry. This industry has a heritage of hundreds of years across the world and deals with the widest range of portfolios, ranging from hygiene, food, to consumer healthcare. Therefore, the magnitude of learning opportunities are unlimited and there are a lot of global practices around us for quick learning and adapting. A highly matured industry can offer you the most robust process and platform for learning and self development.
Q: You have experienced different industries and the talents associated with these industries. What are the common qualities you have found among these talents from various industries?
IA: The common attributes of talents who are successful in career are : • Hard working • Proactive attitude • Passion for learning & self development • High Integrity • Self discipline
Q: Every year millions of students are graduating. Sadly, most of them are not finding jobs. The ones who do manage to find good jobs often end up finding jobs that are not their area of study or expertise. According to you, what are the reasons behind this scenerio?
IA: I believe that this question is in context to Bangladesh. My answer is in line with this.
- There is one major fundamental issue in the mindset of most of the parents in Bangladesh. The parents in most cases do not consider the potential and interest of their children while deciding on their profession. I myself was criticized by my parents and all close relatives as I did not qualify in Engineering. They did not consider whether or not I had the required potential to be an Engineer. Nowadays, it is quite common to find BBA the preferred aim for higher education. But all those who are studying BBA do not have the potential to learn and grow professionally. I have been in the interview board for the last 12 years, give or take. I have found that the average competencies of BBA from different universities are significantly below the standard required to contribute in an organization and also to grow professionally. This simply endorses my aforesaid claim. Therefore, there is a huge supply as opposed to demand but the quality of available talents are much below the expected standard.
- There is a significant mismatch between demand and supply driven by the aforesaid facts. For example: The Garments’ Sector contributes around 75% of export earning, and export value in 2015 was around USD 25 billion. The RMG industry greatly lacks skilled manpower in this sector. You will hardly hear any parents or teachers encouraging the students to develop their career in the RMG sector. The policy makers also need to come forward to develop international standard public institutes to offer professional bachelor degrees.
The point I am trying to make is that the parents need to be realistic in deciding on a professional career for their children. They need to critically assess the potential of their children and also need to assess the potential job sectors.
Q: What is your opinion on CGPA, experience or co curricular activities? Which one is the most important? At the same time, do you think, there are enough fields for students to take part in part time jobs in our country?
IA: A reasonable CGPA is needed to qualify to apply for a job. However, the recent concern is the quality of education among so many private universities. The average CGPA of the students of some of the private universities do not reflect the quality of education that should have been there at that level of CGPA. The Education Ministry must take very strong measures to ensure a minimum level of standard. No recruiter should expect experience for entry level positions.
The extra curricular activities definitely add value as no level of learning or experience go in vain. For example: You are good in photography, it’s a hobby you may take part in. This passion will help you to develop a wide professional network and may prove to be extremely important in professional life.
The part time job opportunity is still quite behind in Bangladesh. But my recommendation is to develop certain skills like say photography, graphic design skills, etc. to qualify for part time tasks. Teaching at coaching centers or tutoring students at home is also a great platform to earn pocket money and also to get the feel of what it takes to earn money with your own hard work. But the key focus for students must be to complete education with a reasonable good result.
My CGPA was 3.05 in MBA from IBA of DU. No one should be depressed over a low CGPA if it happens by chance. CGPA is simply an entry ticket in the job sector but the career growth fully depends on your performance.
Q: How does one find the perfect balance between their passion and their work, provided that most of us are unable to turn our passions or interests into careers?
IA: There is no straight answer to this question. My only comment is that, if one is very focused, then he or she can achieve this after a few years as an alternative career. In my case, teaching is my passion. But I could not progress as my academic records were significantly below the standard needed to be a university teacher. But I had a passionate curiosity to develop my teaching skills. I took all the opportunities I could get in my professional life to get involved as a trainer to run professional training programs and scaled up my competencies over the last 10 years. I started going to selected universities including IBA of DU as a Guest Faculty. At present, I am very well know as a solid professional trainer with exposure to conducting international trainings. I have also, Alhamdulillah earned a great reputation as a Guest Faculty. This is a solid example of my readiness to take up consultancy as a profession along with being a Guest Faculty in reputed universities.
Q: What is the best way to deal with stress regarding the future?
IA: I consider the following approaches while dealing with this:
- Self discipline
- Mapping out challenging tasks ahead and preparing methods in order to address them
- Keep contingency plans ready in each critical situation
- Review the situation in all critical stages and take corrective measures
- Be patient and consult with mentors and relevant people whenever necessary
Q: If you were to give three pieces of advice to students, in order for them to attain a successful career, what would the advice be?
IA: My advice would be:
- Keep a proactive attitude
- Keep your passion and curiosity running
- Ensure continuous self development (e.g. reading professional books, gaining from professional networking, speaking to experienced professionals)
Q: From your end, what is your vision? Where would you like to see yourself after 10 years, inshaAllah?
IA: I would like to contribute actively in the human capital development of Bangladesh. I intend to open up a Facebook page where I will share my experiences and different learning materials for the mass students of the country. This page will also be an engagement platform. I would like to see myself as a role model professional and social worker in Bangladesh, especially in areas of human capital development.
