Over the past 13 weeks, ES2007s has enabled me to acquire several important communication skills that are vital in the working world. In fact, it has aided me in my academic work which also requires email-drafting, project meetings and report writing. It would come to serve a purpose during my internship in May right after the exams as I would have an experience interacting with the real working world.
This course has addressed several agenda that I've had doubts in the past, like resolving conflicts and inter-cultural communications. I have now learnt to appreciate cultures other than my own, and to be more tactful when involved in an conflict situation. The 7C's of writing and communication has also allowed me to gain a greater insight on skills that I thought was 'easy' in the past
I also had the opportunity to conduct presentations in front of the class, and through this avenue, I discovered my flaws and strengths in public speaking, which I would attempt to correct. Had it been in the actual workplace, I would have been deemed as someone who "cannot articulate myself" properly.
With this being my last post, I bid everyone farewell and appreciate the time that you took in reading and giving feedback on my posts. Good luck to your exams and future endeavours!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Blog post 5: Oral Presentation Reflection
I think my group did a pretty god job in preparing for our presentation, and we made a great effort to deliver it smoothly. However there were still some areas could be improved.
For myself, I was still a little nervous, despite the fact that I had rehearse a few times before hand and even on the bus before I reached the classroom! Furthermore, I presented the bulk of the part that I did for the project, and considering the fact that I was the last presenter, I should be more relaxed and confident as the previous 3 speakers had eased the stress for me. I managed to regain my composure after a short while, and delivered the presentation smoothly till the end.
I think one of the factors that contributed to my nervousness was the time. Our group was actually over the time limit, and I was thinking how to re-do my portion so that it would not over-exceed the 20 minutes. Hence part of the flow was interrupted and I appeared to be jittery.
Nonetheless, I felt that I've improved when compared to the previous presentation, and was proud to have done it with my group.
For myself, I was still a little nervous, despite the fact that I had rehearse a few times before hand and even on the bus before I reached the classroom! Furthermore, I presented the bulk of the part that I did for the project, and considering the fact that I was the last presenter, I should be more relaxed and confident as the previous 3 speakers had eased the stress for me. I managed to regain my composure after a short while, and delivered the presentation smoothly till the end.
I think one of the factors that contributed to my nervousness was the time. Our group was actually over the time limit, and I was thinking how to re-do my portion so that it would not over-exceed the 20 minutes. Hence part of the flow was interrupted and I appeared to be jittery.
Nonetheless, I felt that I've improved when compared to the previous presentation, and was proud to have done it with my group.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Blog post 4: Intercultural communication
A incident I would like to share regarding my personal experience with intercultural differences was dinner at a Muslim friend's place. I was quite unaware of the dining habits at that time, probably because I was still young and rather ignorant of such affairs. Although it was only much to my embarrassment as my friend's family did not really mind, it occurred to me that we need to appreciate the cultures of the different racial groups, and not to assume that everyone else share the same habits as we do.
I asked for a fork and spoon, without realizing that my friend and his family were eating with their hands. Although my friend's mother stood up to get me the cutlery, I could sense that his father was rather displeased. I quickly apologized for my lack of manners and suggested that I would like to try and learn consume my meals with my hands like them. Well, it has always been my (queer) habit to use my left hand to eat, as I wanted to leave the master hand to handle emergencies like answering phone calls, etc in case they occurred unexpectedly during my meals. I guessed that was the last straw for my mis-doings, as my friend had to quickly tell me off after the dinner that I ought to use my right hand to eat always. Of course there were no hard feelings as I promptly apologized to the parents, who were not angered but yet shared with me a little more insight about Muslim dining habits.
I asked for a fork and spoon, without realizing that my friend and his family were eating with their hands. Although my friend's mother stood up to get me the cutlery, I could sense that his father was rather displeased. I quickly apologized for my lack of manners and suggested that I would like to try and learn consume my meals with my hands like them. Well, it has always been my (queer) habit to use my left hand to eat, as I wanted to leave the master hand to handle emergencies like answering phone calls, etc in case they occurred unexpectedly during my meals. I guessed that was the last straw for my mis-doings, as my friend had to quickly tell me off after the dinner that I ought to use my right hand to eat always. Of course there were no hard feelings as I promptly apologized to the parents, who were not angered but yet shared with me a little more insight about Muslim dining habits.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Application letter
Application for internship:
http://ejobcentre.nus.edu.sg/Jobs/jobdesc.asp?type=0&eid=4763291&jid=2212407&did=314&its=0&src=8&itn=
Hi Ms Desy Ang,
I am writing in with regards to the application for the internship position as a Assistant Engineer intern with your company. I am currently in my third year of Civil Engineering, and it would be a utmost opportunity to be able to work in Sunlink Engineering Pte Ltd, as I am keen in the area of project management. As a quick learner and having a similar previous experience while doing my attachment with Works Infrastructure Pte Ltd in polytechnic, I would adapt to the working environment effectively without much orientation.
Project management has always been my interest as it requires more than the academic knowledge we acquire in schools. As a project manager, one has to constantly deal with changing circumstances, and manage the project effectively so that it can be completed duly without incurring extra costs. Having taken core as well as a Higher Level Technical Elective modules in project management in my course, I have been trained to perform work scheduling and resource allocation effectively, which would be advantageous as part of my jobscope requires me to have a hands-on experience on site and in project management.
I have also taken part in various student projects in school, namely the Sports Camp as part of the organising committee. This has also enabled me to apply problem-solving and management skills in order to oversee the execution of the tasks undertaken by my department smoothly. I have also managed to enhance my communication and public relations techniques at the same time, and collectively, i think that these skills would aid me greatly as an intern Assistant Engineer in project management as it is people-oriented.
Hence, once again, I would like to express my keen interest in this internship and hope that I would be considered. Please do contact me at 92700577 should you require any additional information. Thank you very much
Best regards,
Adrian Tan
http://ejobcentre.nus.edu.sg/Jobs/jobdesc.asp?type=0&eid=4763291&jid=2212407&did=314&its=0&src=8&itn=
Hi Ms Desy Ang,
I am writing in with regards to the application for the internship position as a Assistant Engineer intern with your company. I am currently in my third year of Civil Engineering, and it would be a utmost opportunity to be able to work in Sunlink Engineering Pte Ltd, as I am keen in the area of project management. As a quick learner and having a similar previous experience while doing my attachment with Works Infrastructure Pte Ltd in polytechnic, I would adapt to the working environment effectively without much orientation.
Project management has always been my interest as it requires more than the academic knowledge we acquire in schools. As a project manager, one has to constantly deal with changing circumstances, and manage the project effectively so that it can be completed duly without incurring extra costs. Having taken core as well as a Higher Level Technical Elective modules in project management in my course, I have been trained to perform work scheduling and resource allocation effectively, which would be advantageous as part of my jobscope requires me to have a hands-on experience on site and in project management.
I have also taken part in various student projects in school, namely the Sports Camp as part of the organising committee. This has also enabled me to apply problem-solving and management skills in order to oversee the execution of the tasks undertaken by my department smoothly. I have also managed to enhance my communication and public relations techniques at the same time, and collectively, i think that these skills would aid me greatly as an intern Assistant Engineer in project management as it is people-oriented.
Hence, once again, I would like to express my keen interest in this internship and hope that I would be considered. Please do contact me at 92700577 should you require any additional information. Thank you very much
Best regards,
Adrian Tan
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Resolving Personal Conflicts
Personal conflicts occur so frequently in our daily lives, that would be almost impossible to try to resolve every single one of them. Everyone has their own unique ways of dealing with conflicts, but what I personally feel about conflicts is that they arise due to differences in personalities and way of thinking. Hence, so when we resolve personal conflicts, we are actually resolving personal indifference and getting one another to compromise.
A personal conflict I would like to share happened during my attachment stint when I was in polytechnic. During the first week, I had lunch together with the rest, and the root of the conflict sprung from the fact that all of my co-workers smoked, whilst I am a non-smoker. Needless to mention, I was fed up with the fact of being a passive smoker for 1 week, and I declined their invitation for lunch subsequently with various excuses.
Well, I got 'exposed' one day when I 'caught' was having my lunch in an air-conditioned shopping mall by a few of my co-workers. Later back at the office, one of them casually asked me why I was there. I managed to evade further questioning with some quick excuse, and from then on, they did not ask me along for lunch. Till this day, I still think they had the impression that I did not like to eat with them, which I did not attempt to explain because it was just a short term issue as I would not be seeing them once the attachment period was done.
A personal conflict I would like to share happened during my attachment stint when I was in polytechnic. During the first week, I had lunch together with the rest, and the root of the conflict sprung from the fact that all of my co-workers smoked, whilst I am a non-smoker. Needless to mention, I was fed up with the fact of being a passive smoker for 1 week, and I declined their invitation for lunch subsequently with various excuses.
Well, I got 'exposed' one day when I 'caught' was having my lunch in an air-conditioned shopping mall by a few of my co-workers. Later back at the office, one of them casually asked me why I was there. I managed to evade further questioning with some quick excuse, and from then on, they did not ask me along for lunch. Till this day, I still think they had the impression that I did not like to eat with them, which I did not attempt to explain because it was just a short term issue as I would not be seeing them once the attachment period was done.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Importance of effective communication skills
The principles behind effective communication techniques are easy to understand, and the techniques are not difficult to acquire. Moreover, it is by no doubt that effective communication skills are vital in our everyday lives. As most of us would embark on our career in a junior managerial position, there would be subordinates and superiors that we are both answerable to at the same time. I believe nothing would be more demeaning than having both parties chiding your poor communication skills, which reflect adversely on your professionalism.
Work aside, other social gatherings that calls for effective communication may include wedding dinners, entertaining clients, or even a casual dinner with prospective in-laws. A careless remark could have its repercussions, be it as trivial as making ridicule out of yourself or manifests into loss of business opportunities. Unless we decide to become hermits and live in recluse, there is no way we can avoid communicating with other people around us.
Being able to communicate effectively is often much easier said than done. Good listening and analytical skills are far more important pre-requisites we need to acquire before we can effectively bring across communication through any channels. The ability to communicate effectively not only enables the intention to be understood clearly and appropriately by people of different walks of lives, but also minimize the chances for misunderstandings and conflicts that can arise.
Work aside, other social gatherings that calls for effective communication may include wedding dinners, entertaining clients, or even a casual dinner with prospective in-laws. A careless remark could have its repercussions, be it as trivial as making ridicule out of yourself or manifests into loss of business opportunities. Unless we decide to become hermits and live in recluse, there is no way we can avoid communicating with other people around us.
Being able to communicate effectively is often much easier said than done. Good listening and analytical skills are far more important pre-requisites we need to acquire before we can effectively bring across communication through any channels. The ability to communicate effectively not only enables the intention to be understood clearly and appropriately by people of different walks of lives, but also minimize the chances for misunderstandings and conflicts that can arise.
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