Final Reflection

by raun
Reflection

“Success is not measured by what one brings, but rather by what one leaves.”

In all actuality, I have high expectations for this module when I signed up for it. I was interested in the course originally because of its name. Professional Communication sounds grand, formal and exciting. Surely it must be like normal communication, except between professionals in the workplace all trying to work with each others effectively. That in turn will translate into better communication between family, friends, and peers. That could be useful and has a certain appeal to it. And since I am going to graduate soon, I was thinking, “Why not?”

Did it disappoint?

It did not.

It is everything I have hoped for and more.

So, what were the highlights? Three things come to mind: The Blog, The Job Search and The Survey Research Project.

By writing a blog and participating in blog discussions, I learned self-expression through writing for public viewing. It was originally a bit disconcerting that what I write would be freely available for all to peruse, whether friends or strangers, and that it would be subjected to critical peer reviews. Then I realized it has only helped my growth as a writer in communicating to my readers.

By doing the job search, I gained invaluable knowledge and insight into how to actually hunt for a job as well as what to do in order to truly obtain it. Suddenly, graduation does not seem so foreboding. In that regards, I suppose this is by far the most relevant skill in the immediate future.

By doing the survey research project, I got to meet three extraordinary individuals (You know who you are!). This is where another aspect of effective communication came in, which is the dynamics of teamwork, an integral part in any workplace. Together, we have managed to achieve the impossible, completing a survey report in so short a time. Cheers!

Of course, it saddens me slightly that this course is coming to an end, but I would rather experience it and meet all the amazing individuals I have interacted with thus far than not at all. And with this understanding, I will take the first step toward the working world and look forward to it.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

by WildWinyan
To reach the next stage...

Biodata

Lim Kheng Aik is currently in the process of completing his Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Chemistry under the National University of Singapore (NUS). He majored in Applied Chemistry because he would like an insight into both the academic and industrial aspects of Chemistry, a subject he has loved since High School.

As such, he participated in the NUS Professional Placement Programme for a 6-month internship with Lonza Singapore Pte. Ltd., a petrochemical plant that was in Jurong Island, and decided to pursue an Honours Year Project in Organic Synthesis for his final year in NUS. Both had satisfied his drive of curiosity and pursuit of a diversified experience.

Being a part of Science Computer-Based Learning Centre (CBLC), he was able to expand his computer knowledge and enhance his troubleshooting skills. In addition, he further polished his communication skills with various types of personalities while doing customer service and learned to be calmer, friendlier, and empathizing when dealing with people.

He also placed a great emphasis in learning, and has a special interest in the English Language since young. This has led to his love of books and stories, on a wide variety of ideas and topics. Furthermore, he enjoyed getting together with friends for social outings, and health sessions such as badminton and hiking.

EDIT: Hmm, I am not sure there is any picture I could put up? :(

EDIT2: Corrected the verb tense. Thanks, Brad! :)

Reflecting on the Research Project Experience

Writing reports as a group with fellow group members is nothing new for me. As an Applied Chemistry student, as early as the 2nd year, we were already grouped in groups of three for our labwork. This was again repeated in the 3rd year. Not only that, I have taken quite a number of courses in NUS where one has to work in a group of two or more for graded presentations or researches.

So, what is new in this?

Nothing much, except for the people I work with that is. And this is one of the better groups I have worked with as well.

by liea

It certainly helped that right at the beginning of the very first lesson, the four of us were already sitting together in a small group and introducing ourselves to each others. This did introduce a sense of ease and familiarity among the four of us that when the research project was initiated, we could get right into business. If one were to compare this to say, being forced to work with unknown strangers, there would certainly be awkward moments as each of us try to get used to the others' attitudes, personalities, and styles.

So, we hit it right off the bat. Dare I say smooth sailing all the way?

Certainly not.

There were definitely problems. Each of us has our own schedule independent of this ES2007S module. In addition, the fact that 3 out of the 4 of us are in our final year means there was even more inconvenience in setting up meetings to discuss our progress.

So, what to do?

We improvised. We used e-mails, chat rooms, and most importantly, we used what spare moments were given to us during our lesson time to actually plot and chart the directions of our report and to assign individual tasks to be performed before the next meeting.

There was a sense of empathy as well when one of us faced difficulties in completing his or her assigned tasks due to assignments or tests. The remarkable thing was then this, that despite all of these complications and road bumps, we rallied back furiously. Somehow, things were done and tasks were completed, albeit not always by our own self-imposed deadline. By hook or by crook, we managed to find the time to perform our parts successfully, in spite of our other commitments.

There was no instance where one of our members totally slack off and push away his or her responsibility for the others to bear. For that alone, I am very grateful.

Oh yeah, the almost endless supply of snacks during every meeting helped too. :)

Therefore, I have to give my props to Jacky, Joyce and Liang Fu for being such terrific team members. I am glad to be given the chance to work with them as part of a team in this course.

by blades7816
I have them to blame as well for inflicting this on me...

Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

I was in China for a family vacation earlier this year. We travelled mostly around the areas centering on Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. I remember there was once we were at a light rail transit (LRT) subway station during the peak hour somewhere in Shanghai, the exact location of which was lost due to fuzzy memory.

So what happened?

There were lots of commuters patiently waiting for the subway to arrive. They seemed to be waiting in a line on both edges of each platform door. The situation was relatively under control, despite the rather suffocating atmosphere.

Then the subway arrived. All hell broke loose. And all bets were off.

By Yang Liu

In the span of a single second...

Everyone mobbed the doors, even those lining up. There was a lot of pushing and shoving going on, in both directions. It was a battle to see who could do it better and more aggressively. Civility was non-existent. All of a sudden, lining up seemed to be a farce and a sure way of not getting onto the subway.

Why did this occur?

From what I have heard, Hong Kong is not like this. Everyone queues up in an orderly fashion. I have seen the same thing occurred in Singapore, though on a lesser scale. Singapore seemed to be somewhere in between China and Hong Kong. Surely then it cannot be a racial trait. More likely it is a cultural difference along the social-economic development line.

By Karumen0904

Don't rush, just be quick...

I believe this has more to do people’s mentality in each country and how they think. For most of them, their own time is far more important than other people’s time. Even though by queuing up, their boarding speed would be faster and smoother, they are of the opinion that as long as they manage to board the subway, other people do not matter. Why play fair when the others around them do not?

Their thinking exhibits a certain practicality more than an idealistic notion of right and wrong. What will help them get through the day is far more important than certain ideals and standards.

Potential Research Project: Recycling

By Summon The Wolves

A new life, Compare...

The 3Rs of Waste Management Hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Of these, I would like to focus specifically on Recycle as the topic for our research project. So, why is it important?

Recycling is certainly not something new. It has been a common practice on Earth as far back as one can remember.

To state a few instances:

1. Companies recycle their chemical and energy resources to minimize wastes and maximize profits.

2. People donate their old clothing, books, and furniture to charity organizations.

3. Scraps metals are collected and melted for perpetual reuse.

So then, why is it important? Things certainly have been recycled. All is good and well. The world continues to spin around the sun on its orbit. Why bother the emphasis?

The answer is attitude.

By deaddays

The practice of recycling...

People are giving up on recycling. The term to use here is “Recycling Burnout”. Why is this happening?

Some reasons:

1. There is not enough demand for recycled products.

2. Not getting around to making an effort at recycling.

3. The feeling that one person’s efforts do not mean much.

By Torsten-Hufsky

Burnout, ...and Contrast

So, what do all these mean?

People are recycling because it is a government’s mandate that recycling is compulsory. People are recycling because of the monetary benefit that could be gained. People are recycling not for the sake of recycling. Recycling exists but it is not of own attitude nor desire.

This means that something needs to be done about it. The initial step then is to define the general research question. How do we make recycling more efficient and relevant?

To do that, we first need an attitudinal survey to understand people’s mindset about recycling. In this case, we are going to limit the scope to NUS students. What are NUS students' perception on the practice of recycling?

Only then, can we take another step closer to saving Earth.

By Chocolateboys

EDIT: 17/09/2008

Clarifications were done on the research question and reason for an attitudinal survey.

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

I am going to offer a hypothetical situation here. I have heard this scenario from somewhere else, and believed it thought-provoking enough to share it here, with some modifications.

I have a baby sister. She is 16 years of age, which I considered as young. She is gorgeous and eye-catching, as far as girls go. I have spent years trying to fend off the wolves, but it was an uphill battle. And I am finally losing that battle, to an outcome I knew was inevitable.

By yuumei

So one day, I was working on her cell phone, trying to fix the picture messaging since something was wrong with that particular service. And then, I stumbled across some pictures that can’t really be discussed here, both of her and a family friend her age. Furthermore, let us just say the text message conversation involved activities of certain moral codes reserved for after marriage.

By centralasian

They are certainly not something as modest as this.

The family friend is a good kid, and was rather close to me at one point of time. I suppose it could be worse, as she could be fooling around with a drug dealer or a gang member rather than this good friend of ours. And the entire thing was consensual on both their parts. However, I don’t know how I can look him in the face after knowing what he has done with my sister.

By setsu

Backstabbed...

I confronted my sister about it soon after. She exploded, metaphorically speaking. She made it clear that she resented my attempts to run her life, and now we are not on good speaking terms. Should I tell my parents about it? Should I confront the family friend? Any attempt on my part seems to lead to even more resentment from my sister. Or should I just give in?

By MrGobi

If we define ourselves by our relationships with other people, then interpersonal conflict is a constant source of anxiety and worry in our daily trudge through life. How or what then do we do to resolve this critical issue? Confronting the other person directly? Pretending it never happened? Asking someone else to mediate? Sneaking about trying to find subtle ways to solve it? Or just wallow in anger and despair waiting for it to be resolved automatically? If so, does time really heal all wounds?

By Kylamay

EDIT: 06/09/2008

The "solution" has been posted in the comments section, though whether it is right or wrong is a matter of perspective. :)

Effective Communication Skills

"Listening looks easy, but it's not simple. Every head is a world."

— Cuban Proverb

Humans are social by nature. We define our existence by relating ourselves to other people around us. Ultimately, each of us is a product of our cultures, experiences, upbringings, and most importantly, communities.

To survive in a community though, we must be able to interact with the people within it. We must be able to relate to them, to understand them, and to share with them a part of ourselves that made who we are. The key to that door then is Effective Communication.

Misunderstanding or misinterpretation of another’s speech and nonverbal cues is common in any communication scenario. Often it will lead to unhappiness and resentment on the part of both the speaker and the listener. Failure to pay the proper attention or lack of interest also results in similar impression on both parties.

To illustrate:

By gael

I do not want to be either one of them. Do you?

By akdreamweaver

Nor do I want to have such a conversation.

So, what does this mean?

I want to be able to communicate with other people on a wavelength understood by both parties, be it through speech or nonverbal cues. I want to make my intention clear and get my points across successfully. I want to convey my understanding of others’ points and avoid any misinterpretation, fatal or otherwise.

I want to minimize conflicts with people, especially my family and friends, by potentially nipping them in the bud. I want to be a good team player, able to work efficiently with my team mates. I want to present myself competently to my associates and employers, promoting a good working environment.

In a nutshell, I believe being an effective communicator will allow me to achieve all these.

By exepotes

Now, this type of communication is more like my cup of tea.

Of course, getting to know the fairer sex better via effective communication would be an added bonus. I profess that I do not really understand them. There is this nagging suspicion that their brains are wired differently from mine.

By Poopinesses