Insight in The Workplace: What Makes Youth Work with Purpose?

AIESEC in Malaysia

Working with purpose is a concept of being useful, respectable, and compassionate in work. The goal of working with purpose is to make a difference in the workplace which ultimately improves productivity at work.

As a fresh graduate and a leader in a youth-led organisation, I observed that youth (including me!) care about making a difference in our communities. When I  search for an internship, I research the values and working culture of organisations to find the connection between my passion with organisational values. Here are three reasons why youth, including me want to work with purpose.

1. Find professional hope for the future.

Knowing what I am passionate about helps me to develop direction in my career. This motivates me to challenge myself by picking up exposure, learnings and opportunities at work.

2. Contribute to society.

Environment and economic growth are the two fields that are very close to my heart. While working in these two fields, I discover my role and contribution to the community and Malaysia.

I had my 6-month internship at a farm in Thailand last year. Working under my supervisors who value my learnings inspired me to improve farm management in Malaysia.

 

3. Empower people for a bigger purpose.

While working in an organisation that shares my purpose, I am able to connect with like-minded people in my team and strive to contribute together.

My team and Maxis strive for youth employment in Malaysia.

“So, how can your organisation support youth in working with purpose?”

 Different organisations have different approaches to create a youth-friendly environment. Here are a few suggestions you can consider: spending time to understand the purpose of youth in working, initiating personal coaching by the leaders in your organisation and encouraging peer-to-peer conversations that allow your employees to network and ask for support.

With these three reasons, I hope your organisation understands the youth perspective of finding purpose in the workplace. 

Learn more about local youth perspectives in the Youth Consultancy Report that has collected insights from 500 youth aged 19-24. Submit your personal contact information below to receive the report from our team.

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Lim Jia Yie

Country Manager of Partnership Development, AIESEC in Malaysia

An energetic and passionate environmental management fresh graduate with a strong purpose in partnership. Engage people with purposeful conversations.

Lim Jia Yie

Country Manager of Partnership Development, AIESEC in Malaysia

An energetic and passionate environmental management fresh graduate with a strong purpose in partnership. Engage people with purposeful conversations.

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