It has always been my desire to make good friends in the modules that I take, but normally that does not happen due to the nature of how lessons are conducted. I am someone who would take modules alone, and try to make friends along the way. The greatest thing that I would take away from this course would definitely be the friendships that I have forged. Not to mention the many valuable skills that I have picked up from the lessons and interacting with my tutor and classmates. I would say that I am much more confident and able to stand up in front of people to speak, that I know how to write a good resume for any future employment, that I know how to communicate more effectively with the people around me. These are just some examples from the many other things that I have learnt in my journey in ES2007S.
To Ms Lim:
You have taught us so much in these short 13 weeks. One thing I would remember about you is that you pushed us to our limits, so that we would realise the potential that lies within us. Someone once mentioned that you were strict to the class. I believe what that person meant was that you demanded only the best, because you knew what we were capable of, and I personally have seen that we are truly capable of much more than what we once thought we could accomplish. With that, I want to thank you for the effort, your patience and all that you put in for our class.
To my classmates:
I want to thank each one of you for making this ES2007S experience such a wonderful and memorable one. I believe that it is no coincidence that all of us were in the same class. Thank you for all the feedback on my assignments and presentations, and the comments posted on my blog. You people made it possible for such an enriching learning experience. I always look forward to receiving your feedback and replies, because I not only get different perspectives, I get to learn things from you all. I have truly enjoyed working with all of you; my blogging group, my peer teaching team (Jon and SS) and my proposal group (Berwyn and WT). Each one of you have unique strengths and different working styles, which was an awesome learning experience.
The last 13 weeks seemed to fly past, and we are now going to embark on a new journey ahead of us. I hope we can all still keep in touch, and eventually still get the chance to meet up outside.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Proposal Presentation Reflections
To be really honest, before the presentation started, I was feeling alright. Not nervous, just chilling and getting myself ready to start with a bang. But when I started speaking, the nervousness started creeping in, and I could feel my hands trembling a little. So I had to put in more hand gestures to mask my trembling hands.
Overall, I felt the entire presentation for my team was really good. For my own personal part, I felt I did much better, as compared to my peer teaching. I believe I spoke louder, had more eye contact, and read less of my notes and the slides. Somehow I felt that I was nearly rushing through my part, because I knew I had a lot to say within the limited amount of time. Berwyn's discovery of using his phone as a slide presenter was one of a kind. It really helped to have that device, instead of having to use the mouse. The question and answer part was relatively good I guess. Calvin's question was rather unexpected, because we did not consider the aspect of funding of the team to come from either the Faculty of Science or the Department of Chemistry. Anyway, I believe we responded well to the questions posed by the class.
Most of what I can remember about the presentation was that my mind was in a whirl when I was presenting. Not exactly looking forward to watch myself on video, but definitely looking forward to the feedback from the class!
Overall, I felt the entire presentation for my team was really good. For my own personal part, I felt I did much better, as compared to my peer teaching. I believe I spoke louder, had more eye contact, and read less of my notes and the slides. Somehow I felt that I was nearly rushing through my part, because I knew I had a lot to say within the limited amount of time. Berwyn's discovery of using his phone as a slide presenter was one of a kind. It really helped to have that device, instead of having to use the mouse. The question and answer part was relatively good I guess. Calvin's question was rather unexpected, because we did not consider the aspect of funding of the team to come from either the Faculty of Science or the Department of Chemistry. Anyway, I believe we responded well to the questions posed by the class.
Most of what I can remember about the presentation was that my mind was in a whirl when I was presenting. Not exactly looking forward to watch myself on video, but definitely looking forward to the feedback from the class!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
My Intercultural Observation(s)
I visited Vietnam with a few friends in June this year. We went for a boat ride to visit the islands and tourist attractions there, when I had the chance to observe the Vietnamese people that were with us on the boat.
For some reason, the Vietnamese on the boat were "tourists" too, and there were many of them. Like how many Singaporeans are unfamiliar with tourist attractions in Singapore, me included. Anyway, they had loads of fruits with them, probably because there were many roadside stalls selling a large variety of fruits everywhere. The boat crew also served fruits to those on board. I saw that the Vietnamese were happily throwing all their seeds, fruit skins and whatever trash they had out of the boat into the water. I did not notice any trash bins on the boat, maybe that is why they had to dump everything out of the boat. After a while, I followed suit and threw my rubbish out into the water too, including my chewing gum.
In the Singaporean context, if something like that was done, we would start getting slapped with fines and Corrective Work Order. Hence, it was interesting for me, not only to observe this behaviour, but to participate in it as well. Some other people may be offended by such acts, especially the environmentalists.
This is probably a cultural thing not only for Vietnam, but for many other parts of the world where there is no strict control over the way people manage their litter. In our perspective, we probably see it as ruining the environment and image of our country. In their perspective, they probably see it as their way of life, their means of disposing of litter since they do not see the point of holding on to it.
For some reason, the Vietnamese on the boat were "tourists" too, and there were many of them. Like how many Singaporeans are unfamiliar with tourist attractions in Singapore, me included. Anyway, they had loads of fruits with them, probably because there were many roadside stalls selling a large variety of fruits everywhere. The boat crew also served fruits to those on board. I saw that the Vietnamese were happily throwing all their seeds, fruit skins and whatever trash they had out of the boat into the water. I did not notice any trash bins on the boat, maybe that is why they had to dump everything out of the boat. After a while, I followed suit and threw my rubbish out into the water too, including my chewing gum.
In the Singaporean context, if something like that was done, we would start getting slapped with fines and Corrective Work Order. Hence, it was interesting for me, not only to observe this behaviour, but to participate in it as well. Some other people may be offended by such acts, especially the environmentalists.
This is probably a cultural thing not only for Vietnam, but for many other parts of the world where there is no strict control over the way people manage their litter. In our perspective, we probably see it as ruining the environment and image of our country. In their perspective, they probably see it as their way of life, their means of disposing of litter since they do not see the point of holding on to it.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Application Letter
02 September 2010
Ms Vivian Tan
HR Executive
Credit Management Consultancy Group
16 Jalan Kilang Timor
#07-05 Redhill Forum
Singapore 159308
RE: Job Application for Financial Analyst Position
Dear Ms Tan,
I am interested in the Financial Analyst position as posted on the redad.com website. When I graduate in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science (Statistics), I would like to join your company as a Financial Analyst.
Being a Financial Analyst requires the mental capacity to analyse large amounts of data, and handle the pressure of a fast-paced job environment. I have the skills and abilities required for this position. There will always be a need for individual work and the team effort, and I am able to be efficient in both aspects. As a pacer for my JC's dragonboat team previously, I had to remain calm during races to ensure that the frequency of the strokes were optimal for the benefit of the team. I am impressed by your company's tremendous track record, and I would like to be a part of your team.
Please refer to my enclosed resume for more information. I believe that there is a lot that I can offer to your company, and I would like to have the opportunity to meet up with you in person to discuss my qualifications and skills. You can email me at junxiong.chan@gmail.com, and I would be glad to provide you with more information on how I can be of service to your company.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Chan Jun Xiong
Monday, August 30, 2010
Effective Communication Redefined
Here's a video on effective communication which I found interesting. Enjoy!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
My Interpersonal Conflict
I realised that my previous post was a little difficult to understand. Anyway, I have another conflict (not that I always get into quarrels and arguments), that I hope will be more relevant.
My elder sister just graduated from university, and from the time that she officially graduated, it has been a few months. Till today, she has yet to find a job, and she does not seem to be actively searching for one. Currently, she is involved in some network marketing thing, of which I opposed from the start. I have been involved before, and I know how it works. I do not know how much sales she is getting, but I know that my mother has been buying a number of things from her, to "support" her. I have no problems with whatever she is doing outside, but I believe that she cannot make a living depending on my parents to "support" her all the time. She told me before that she will focus on a stable job and her sales will only provide some side income, but I do not see that happening.
Honestly, I have tried asking her if she has found a job, but all she gives me is an unhappy look. What more can I say? As a younger brother, I know my place in the family and I do not want to bring chaos into the family by bringing up such sensitive issues. What can I do to help my family?
My elder sister just graduated from university, and from the time that she officially graduated, it has been a few months. Till today, she has yet to find a job, and she does not seem to be actively searching for one. Currently, she is involved in some network marketing thing, of which I opposed from the start. I have been involved before, and I know how it works. I do not know how much sales she is getting, but I know that my mother has been buying a number of things from her, to "support" her. I have no problems with whatever she is doing outside, but I believe that she cannot make a living depending on my parents to "support" her all the time. She told me before that she will focus on a stable job and her sales will only provide some side income, but I do not see that happening.
Honestly, I have tried asking her if she has found a job, but all she gives me is an unhappy look. What more can I say? As a younger brother, I know my place in the family and I do not want to bring chaos into the family by bringing up such sensitive issues. What can I do to help my family?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Why Effective Communication Skills Are Important To Me
In my opinion, effective communication occurs when a person's message gets across and is understood by the other party. We live in a world where we are surrounded by many different people, therefore effective communication is vital for us to connect to and interact with people around us. There will always be a need for people to interact with one another, therefore good communication skills are important to ensure that routines in life can continue as usual.
As someone who is often described as quiet and soft-spoken, without much patience to repeat myself too many times, I find it very important to be able to articulate my sentences properly so that my message gets across to the other party. When I meet people, I talk to them to find areas of common interest, and build up the friendship from there.
I find that it is important, for myself in particular, to learn the skills that are required for effective communication. It helps save time and also helps avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble if things are communicated properly at the start. Misunderstandings arise due to people getting the wrong information, be it from their own misinterpretation, or a poor delivery of the information. I understand the frustrations that can result because I have experienced such situations before, and most of the time these problems can be avoided had there been more effort in ensuring that the communication process was done properly.
Effective communication ensures that what I am trying to say gets across to my audience. When that happens, things can move smoothly and there can be progress in whatever we are doing.
As someone who is often described as quiet and soft-spoken, without much patience to repeat myself too many times, I find it very important to be able to articulate my sentences properly so that my message gets across to the other party. When I meet people, I talk to them to find areas of common interest, and build up the friendship from there.
I find that it is important, for myself in particular, to learn the skills that are required for effective communication. It helps save time and also helps avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble if things are communicated properly at the start. Misunderstandings arise due to people getting the wrong information, be it from their own misinterpretation, or a poor delivery of the information. I understand the frustrations that can result because I have experienced such situations before, and most of the time these problems can be avoided had there been more effort in ensuring that the communication process was done properly.
Effective communication ensures that what I am trying to say gets across to my audience. When that happens, things can move smoothly and there can be progress in whatever we are doing.
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