I am a student from MMU (Faculty of Creative Multimedia). I should be attending the upcoming convocation with my batch, but unfortunately due to my own ignorance two years ago, I am extending another semester to finish off one subject (something I do regret, but I'm over that phase. Life goes on!).

In the meantime, I am working full-time as a graphic designer with a commendable software company. So I'd consider myself as a graduate since I'm well into the working world for almost three months already.

I'm terribly sorry that MMU has been giving the outside world a bad impression, especially to Kecewa of Close encounter with MMU graduates . And to Tom Tw Ooi of Student unwittingly trapped by MMU , well, sad to say, MMU's management has always been like that.

Yet, I would like to add that every difficulty in life moulds us, so do try to look on the brighter side of things. Your son is having a taste of reality, and that will help him to survive faster than his peers who 'have it easy' when it comes to the real world. Please note that I'm not standing on either side of the fence.

Back to MMU graduates. Firstly, I would say that yes, as people have mentioned before, all university and college students should be groomed before being sent off into the working world. It is good that MMU (and several other universities/colleges) makes it compulsory for final-year students to participate in industrial training before they are allowed to graduate.

However, we weren't officially prepared by our university (I'm not putting the entire blame on MMU, but with their resources, I'm sure if they cared enough about us, they would've done something), and when I attended my interview at an established advertising firm (headed by one of Malaysia's old-time artist), I was told in the face by that man that he knew I wasn't 'properly groomed' to face any interview.

I was dressed fine, but that's not the kind of grooming we're talking about here. Thankfully, after alerting me of my shortcomings, he proceeded to educate me. I felt like what I learnt there was more than MMU has ever cared enough to share with me, and that lesson still stays with me to this day. But what about other students' employers who do not bother with educating them about the real world?

Would you believe it that some of my friends actually decline interviews or job offers through SMS? Ok, so we are in a modern technologically-forward world, and perhaps I'm just being old-fashioned, but I think it's only common courtesy to at least speak on the phone personally with the company.

Another friend worked for four days and because of the workload that was too heavy, resigned with an SMS to his boss. And then there's this other person who, after accepting a job which pays her RM1,200 a month, called the company up a few days later and requested for a higher pay, stating that: 'As a degree holder, I deserve a higher pay. The pay you are offering is for diploma holders.'

A lot of my friends complain that it is difficult to find a job. The problem is not that there are no employment opportunities in Malaysia. The problem is that graduates seem to think that holding a piece of certificate is such a big deal. I honestly don't know what has gotten into graduates nowadays.

Some people said I was selling myself short when I first started on this job, saying that I should demand for a higher pay since I am a degree holder. To me, I believe that everyone has to start somewhere. Perhaps it's also the fact that my family has been through financial difficulties before, and I see money in a different way.

So who is to be blamed? MMU or the students? I think both should share the 'limelight'. On one hand, as I've mentioned, there are steps that MMU can take to help its students. MMU should also stop being so defensive. Spend less on advertising to the outside world and spend more time educating those that matter the most - the students.

After all, what is inside will show on the outside. Then again, no university or college is perfect, right? But I guess at least they should try or show us that they are trying.

As for the students, stop being such brats. Just because you (or your parents) are paying the fees, your education is not a passive relationship with the university spoon-feeding you. Like my boss says, it takes two hands to clap.

Don't ever depend on anyone (university, college or your company) to take care of you - that is just plain laziness. Have some respect for people who consider hiring you, even if you're not interested in that company. You won't believe how small the world is, for the employer that you were ill-mannered to might just be the best friend of the CEO of your dream company.

Brush up your people-skills (I'm not talking about sucking up) because your attitude will bring you further than your aptitude.

(Dear editor, please do not publish my real name. Inasmuch as I would love to stand up for what I've said, I can't deny that I'm not afraid of being blacklisted by my university. I do not want any complications to arise before I finally complete my course in three month's time, the fees aren't cheap. I hope you will understand.)