Final Reflection

Last Thursday marked the end of the most enriching module I had in NUS. Before choosing the module, I went to research it through a website which provided reviews made by students on NUS modules. Most of the reviews were very positive and highlighted how enthusiastic the tutors were. Despite the class being in the Science Faculty, which was another ‘island’ away from my Engineering Faculty, I am glad that I was in this awesome class.

There were many useful skills practiced and experiences gained throughout this module. I would be sharing my 3 personal takeaways from this module.

Communicating with a “You” attitude

Previously, this aspect did not play a huge role in my communication skills. As an engineering student, most of the lab reports I wrote placed emphasis on the technical data, graphs and theoretical explanations. There was minimal or no regard to convey the information provided in the best way for the reader. Such a skill is essential if I intend to get an encouraging response from the receiver. This skill can be applied for proposals, sponsorships requests and projects which I see myself part of in the future.

Communicating through different platforms

I had a chance to practice my communication skills from discussions in the wiki, blogs, and e-mails, to the interview and survey that was conducted. Each platform required a specific type of tone, style and format to be used. I learnt to adapt to the different settings and it has made me a more versatile communicator.

Working with different groups of people

Working with people of different background had given me a broader perspective when dealing with a specific issue. Furthermore, I felt that I have made some lasting friendships in the process of the course. Thank you all for making the sessions fun and interesting!

I would also like to thank Ms Lim for the valuable skills and advice that she has given me. Lastly, thank you Team Planet for being such a passionate group. Thanks to our proposal, I felt that I have become more environmentally conscious. =).

All the best in the coming exams everyone!

Oral Presentation Reflection

The end of Team Planet’s oral presentation concluded my last project-based assignment for this semester. Even though I felt like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, there were many valuable learning experiences that developed during the whole journey. First and foremost, I thank my amazing group mates, Amanda, Pei Zi and Jeremy, for making the entire hectic journey more bearable.

Preparation

Pei Zi presenting!

We only had a few weeks to prepare for the oral presentation. It was also the peak period for Common Tests and assignments deadlines for other modules. Futhermore, I had a quiz right after my group's presentation. Thus, my group faced a huge challenge in scheduling our rehearsal sessions.

All of us volunteered for the parts in the presentation that suited our expertise and ability best. I chose to present on the proposed solution of our proposal, which was our unique recycling booth, as I was mainly involved in creating its graphic model.

Initially, we planned to use Powerpoint to deliver our presentation. Fortunately or unfortunately, my friend from another class introduced Prezi, which was an alternative application to Powerpoint. He showed me the special effects that could be done with Prezi. However, as this application was discovered late, we only had one night to transfer our presentation from Powerpoint to Prezi. We took awhile to get used to editing using Prezi. Despite the arduous task of editing our presentation on Prezi, I was extremely impressed with the outcome.

It was already 10pm by the time we were done with the editing. After being chased out by the security guards from the classrooms, we borrowed a projector from the Science Club before proceeding to continue our rehearsals at an outdoor projector screen nearby. We practiced numerous times as a group to improve the flow and timing of our presentation. We gave each other feedback and discussed the possible questions that could be raised during the Q & A session. It was a very interesting experience!

Amanda and Jeremy listening attentively!

Delivery

The rehearsals gave me much more confidence during the presentation. I constantly reminded myself to keep eye contact with the audience and be aware of my body language. The effects of emphasizing the statistics in my Prezi board also helped strengthen the point I intended to make. I found the Q & A session engaging as well. Fortunately, some of the questions we spotted prior to the presentation were asked by the audience.

However, there was much to improve on. I decided to use cue cards as I was afraid of forgetting my lines. I realized holding them made me too dependent on it, even though I knew my lines in the first place! My relationship with the audience could have improved during the Q & A session, as I felt I was a little stern with them. With more practice, I could have worked on my tone and the use of gestures to better emphasize my points.

In conclusion, this presentation was my first one with much effort put in. I will certainly remember this session for a very long time.

Go Team Planet!

The most stressful job interview

Funny video to share.



I would have gone crazy, and probably strangle the interviewer if I were him. Haha!

Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour.

2 years ago, I was part of a committee in a food imbursement event called “Ramadan on Wheels” (ROW). On the day of the event, volunteers would deliver canned food and other necessities to various beneficiaries made up of difference races and religion. As non-Malays were involved in receiving the items, the organizers suggested that the committee should include non-Malays as well.

The event was held during the month of Ramadan, when the Muslim volunteers were fasting. The non-Muslim volunteers were encouraged to fast too, just for the experience. All of us will then break our fast together to end off the event. However, the committee suggested that everyone should “makan berdulang”, which means sharing meal on a tray of food among a group of people (normally 3 or 4).

(a group of 4 eating a shared meal on a tray)

The main purpose of eating a shared meal is that the Malays believe that it promotes cohesiveness and makes the food eaten much more appetizing. I was enjoying my meal with 2 other committee members when I noticed that Mary, my Chinese friend who was a committee member as well, had hardly touched her food at all.

The people in her group in turn were uncomfortable that she refused to join the meal with them. Initially, they had thought that she did not find the food to her liking. From her facial expression, I could tell that she was turned off by the idea of sharing food with the others who ate with their hand. Apparently, Mary had found it unhygienic to eat such a meal with her hands and suggested they used the plastic utensils instead. Her group mates reluctantly agreed to the idea.

In retrospect, Mary probably was not accustomed to using her bare hands to eat. Unlike the Malays in her group, she was not brought up to eat that way. They perceived that their washed hands were hygienic enough to eat with but she could have been taught otherwise. Overcoming cultural barriers such as the example above are necessary to successful communication. As the saying goes, it takes both hands to clap. Thus, a successful intercultural communication involves active participation from all the parties involved.

Interpersonal Conflict Situation

Conflicts are an unavoidable aspect in every interpersonal relationship. It occurs when the involved parties ‘only perceive that their idea, desire, event or activity is incompatible with the other’. However, for a relationship to be long-lasting, these conflicts have to be managed. Otherwise, the relationship can be severely weakened.

I recall an incident involving two friends of mine, Ahmad and Johari (Anonymous names used). They had similar character traits; frank, talkative and loud. All of us would occasionally meet up to talk about anything under the sun. The topics could range from schoolwork, sports, politics and what I feel is the most sensitive one, religion.

In these discussions, I usually played the role of a neutral listener while they tend to be passionate in their views. Even so, they rarely had uncontrolled arguments as both of them had a high tolerance and understanding of one another.

However, there was a night that that tolerance threshold was broken. We were all having a casual chat during dinner on the meaning of words. The particular word that was being discussed was “Worship”. Johari was well-versed in linguistics and believed that the word “Worship” could have several meanings. One of them was “to feel an adoring regard for any person thing”. He gave an example by saying “I worship Manchester United Football Club”.

Upon Johari saying that, Ahmad flared up. He vehemently accused Johari of blasphemy. To Ahmad, the word “Worship” should only be used in reference to God and no other. Johari tried to reason with him, citing Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary to prove his case. However, Ahmad could not accept his reasoning and left the fiery argument. Johari was left understandably upset after that. I attempted to shift the topic to another one but the damage was beyond repair by then.

At the end of it, I realised the importance of semantics in communication. A particular word may have various meanings. When a party grows attached to a specific meaning of a word, he would not be able to communicate well with the other party. I felt the situation could have been avoided if I had intervened much earlier before it had escalated into a raging one.

What do you think you could have done if you were put in my situation?

2nd Draft Application Letter

Greetings fellow classmates!

Below is the "job/scholarship" email that I'm applying for.

"Dear ME2 Students,

FMC Technologies scholarships of $20,000 each to our ME2 students

FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:FTI) is a leading global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry and other industrial markets. The Company designs, manufactures and services technologically sophisticated systems and products such as Subsea production and processing systems, Surface wellhead systems, high pressure fluid control equipment, measurement solutions, and marine loading systems for the oil and gas industry. FMC Technologies has approximately 10,400 employees and operates 25 manufacturing facilities in 15 countries.

Singapore is the Asia Pacific & Middle East regional headquarters of FMC Technologies. Employing about 800 people, the Singapore facility specialises in providing Surface wellhead and Subsea systems equipment and solutions to clients across the entire region.

FMC Technologies will be offering eleven (11) scholarships to our ME Students. This is a good opportunity for students wishing to specialise in Offshore Oil & Gas Technology to get a scholarship and receive specialised training from the world's leading company in subsea systems, before disembarking into an exciting career in the Oil & Gas Industry. Please refer to the attachment for the criteria in taking the FMC Techologies Scholarship.

Note: Students who are interested in the FMC Scholarship are to complete the attached application and declaration forms and submit it to Mechanical Engineering Department (Blk EA #07-08) by 22 February 2011. Selected applicants will be notified by mid March 2011 for a selection interview.

** Ensure yourself meet the requirement when apply. Your application will not be process if the application and declaration forms are not duly filled and signed.

Thank you & regards

Eileen LIM (Ms) :: Assistant Manager, Dept of Mechanical Engineering :: National University of Singapore :: 65-6516 4494(DID) :: www.me.nus.edu.sg (W) ::"

The requirements of the scholarship are

1) Taking specific modules assigned with the specialization

2) Participate in a paid-internship from January to July 2012

3) Do a joint FYP between FMC and NUS

4) Bonded with the company for 2 years.

5) Hold a CGPA of above 3.2

6) Not be bonded by other scholarships

Below is my application letter to them. Looking forward for your critical comments!

Block 64

Wall Street

Singapore 112358

9 February 2011

Mr Lim Sock Hwang

Assistant Manager of Human Resource Development

FMC Technologies, Singapore

149 Gul Circle

Singapore 62960

Dear Mr Lim,

I am writing in response to an email regarding an FMC scholarship application that was circulated among the 2^nd year Mechanical Engineering students in NUS. I would like to apply for the scholarship, knowing that I have to be bonded with the company for 2 years upon graduating. I am a driven individual with a strong passion in the energy industry. In addition, I have much interest in the Subsea Systems field in which the Singapore facility specializes.

I qualify for the requirements needed in the scholarship and have done reasonably well in basic modules related to the field; scoring above average grades of A- and B+ for the Thermodynamics and Fluids modules respectively. I believe that the Mechanical Engineering Course has helped me in developing my analytical and logic skills. Furthermore, I intend to specialise in Offshore Oil & Gas Technology and join the industry in the future.

Apart from academic work, I have also led various volunteering projects which have benefited the community. For example, I was the Camp Director of a 3D/2N event consisting of 300 students for “Ace Psle EXams” (APEX), an organization which provides a mentoring programme for Primary 6 students in Singapore. Assuming the role as head of the camp taught me the importance of team work, communication and interpersonal skills. As the leader of the event, I also learnt a valuable lesson of work delegation to ensure that my team mates were not overburdened with their tasks.

Given the combination of my ability and passion, I believe I will be a valuable addition to FMC Technologies and contribute meaningfully to your team. I have attached my personal résumé, which outlines details of my education, experience and personal information for your perusal. I can be contacted by +65 9876 5432 or by email at Ikhsan.Ibrahim@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing a reply from you soon. Thank you for your kind consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Ikhsan Putra Ibrahim

Enclosure: Resume

Effective Communication 101

Effective communication is an important skill which benefits us in a practical and personal sense. It allows a message to be delivered and received accurately. When this happens, ideas and thoughts are exchanged at an optimal level. This in turn prevents misunderstandings and can strengthen the relationship between the parties involved.

“Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” was a book written by Dr John Gray first published in 1992. One of the main topics discussed in the book was the different communication styles the two genders had. He also suggested models in which the two genders can use to improve their relationship. It comes to no surprise that the book turned out to be a best-seller for the following 6 years.

The importance of effective communication in the example above can be extracted and applied to other general relationships as well.

Personally, I believe that effective communication can help me most on a professional level. As I aspire to be in a managerial position later on after starting my career, such a skill would be essential to have. A leader who communicates effectively exudes confidence and is greatly respected and trusted.

However, a leader who does not might be perceived as uncertain and confused. Such a leader is often disrespected by his or her followers.

On a personal level, this skill may improve my relationship with loved ones. By communicating effectively, such actions cultivate a sense of trust and understanding between one another.

Therefore, I believe the skill of effectively communicating is important for me if I intend to progress my relationship with people on a professional and personal level in the future. Especially the most important relationship of all in my opinion, marriage. =)

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_Are_from_Mars,_Women_Are_from_Venus