Final Reflection

I have never been a big fan of project work, because I always feel it's a kind of long-term torture. >< However, I have never felt that way during the entire course of this ES2007S project. :) I guess it was made bearable and even pleasurable by my awesome group mates - Jacinth, Caleb and Johnny. I believe I would never have done the project this well alone and I would never dare to take up this huge responsibility alone.

Our team usually decides on ideas and things very quickly after everyone voices out their opinion. On our first meeting, we decided to narrow down to the topic on sustainable growth. Immediately, we decided to do more research by a deadline and I went on to do up the Gantt chart on NUS wiki and everyone referred to it and met the deadlines. We also made use of NUSwiki to put up the minutes after each meeting so each person knows what he/she has to do. It was pretty effective at the start when we’re just deciding the roles and responsibilities of each person and the deadlines that we set. However, when we started to write the proposal, we tried using the macro function of NUSwiki of embedding the Microsoft word (MSword) document on the wiki page. Unfortunately, it was not very effective because it was very troublesome. Somehow I couldn’t open the macro directly from the wiki page using my home computer, so I had to download the attachment, edit it, and then upload it onto wiki again. We tried using google docs at first too, but we realise it will screw up the formatting (from past experience) so we decided to use MSword directly. Finally when NUSwiki was shut down for a week for maintenance, I decided to make use of dropbox to share our documents and even our research. Ever since I started using dropbox, I have fallen in love with it. <3 The only problem with it is that it cannot tell you when two or more people are viewing that same file, resulting in your saved file being overwritten or conflicted. Thankfully, Jacinth suggested a brilliant idea of copying the file onto our own desktop and then edit it and save under a new name and upload it back into dropbox. We also complement each other very well in the sense that we all work at different time of the day, so we usually will not be in conflict.

Other than the “hardware”, I think generally our “software” was great too. Meetings were never a bore with Johnny Lim (bei) and Caleb (batman) there. Although we joke, we still get our work done, so it is the best of both worlds. We have mutual respect and will always listen (not hear) carefully to everyone’s ideas and opinions before deciding on something. Overall, I think our team dynamics has been great since the start. One reason might be because I have been friends with Caleb and Johnny for the past 3 years; so it was comfortable working with them. It was very easy for me to communicate with them as well. I could just text them through SMS or MSN or even discuss face-to-face because we see each other every lecture. I also worked with Jacinth for the peer teaching prior to this proposal project, so we were more or less familiar with each other. We started off using emails as a tool for communication but slowly shifted to SMS because it is much faster (because I’m the only one without a smart phone).

Now that the semester has come to an end, I kind of miss having ES2007S lessons because every lesson has been very interesting, interactive and never boring. This module has equipped me with essential communication skills that will definitely be useful in future and I hope it will give me an edge over the other engineers who did not take this module. :P

Reflection on Oral Presentation

I know I speak fast, but I never knew I speak THAT fast until I saw the video of our mock presentation. Fortunately (or unfortunately for some people), that is not the fastest I can go. Anyway, my point being, we can never truly "SEE/HEAR" ourselves until we record it down. Thus, I'm really glad I took this module which gave me this opportunity to record our oral presentation on video.

I actually realised that I spoke a tad too fast during our mock presentation immediately after I finished presenting. I think that probably happened because I was a little nervous. Thus, during the preparation for the actual presentation, I practised speaking slowly and have longer pauses. I also kept reminding myself to speak slower during the actual presentation.

Besides the speed of my speech, I noticed from the video of our mock presentation that my fringe was actually damn irritating because it made me keep doing the “Bieber-swish”. My hair was also pretty untidy (in my opinion) with all my baby hair jutting out. I never noticed these little things because they look fine when I’m just conversing normally with friends or even on still pictures, but it is not the case when I have to give a presentation. Little gestures like these can be distracting, thus I decided to pin up my hair neatly for the actual presentation and also avoid having to look down at my cue cards, so my fringe won’t fall down. I also noticed that I tend to read from my cue cards although I did make a conscientious effort to make eye contact with the audience. But the head moving up and down up and down is still pretty distracting in my opinion. Therefore I made sure I know my content very well for the actual presentation so that I can diminish my reliance on my cue cards.

Overall, I think we did well as a team and I have to thank Team Jabe Joca, for having such wonderful people that I can work closely and effectively with. It is only because of our good team dynamic that made me comfortable and relaxed to perform well. Not forgetting also, the comments and remarks from Dr Jaidev and our fellow classmates that help shape what I am or we are today.
Finally, the most important thing I learnt about presentation is - PREPARATION & PRACTICE. Although some people may disagree, because they say too much preparation will kill the creativity. However, I must say preparation does not kill creativity, memorisation does. Though this might not be true for everyone because everyone works differently. At least for me, I realised typing the script out before writing the cue cards helped me to know my content better, thus it is easier for me to generate the points and form proper sentence during presentation. Last but definitely not least is to practise to make sure I know the flow of my presentation and my content.

Evaluating Intercultural Behaviour

Few days ago, an Earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 on the Richter scale struck Japan. If it were in Singapore, most people would probably panic and run out of the building. However, this was not how the Japanese react to the natural disaster. Most of them were calm and cool throughout the disaster. The video below shows what happened in one of the supermarkets in Japan during the Earthquake.

After watching the clip, I thought to myself, "Wow! They are actually more concern about the wine bottles than their own lives." I think this is largely due to their culture and upbringing. As most anthropologists say - culture is the full range of learned human behaviour patterns. Growing up in a country that sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" has certainly gotten them used to earthquakes and tremors, so much so that even a tremor that big does not send them into frenzy. I believe they are well taught from young on ways to survive and react during natural disaster. As opposed to the Singapore culture, Singaporeans grow up in a place safe from natural disaster and even social unrest. Many Singaporeans tend to be complacent and take it for granted. When faced with disaster, most people are clueless as to what to do because it is not in our culture and education system to learn and practise such measures.

Clichéd as it sounds, as the world becomes more globalised, it is inevitable that we interact with other cultures, especially in a cosmopolitan city like Singapore. Thus, in order to communicate effectively, it is important that we learn about the different cultures and understand why different culture have different practices so as not to have a cultural shock when we go overseas to work or study.

Application Letter

Goh Chia Huey, Bernadette

Blk 649 Hougang Ave 8

#17-341 Singapore530649

92708470 (Mobile) 62815149 (Home)

gchbernadette@singnet.com.sg

8 February 2011

HR Manager

Cadmus Resources

51 Anson Road

#14-59 Anson Centre

Singapore 079904

Dear Sir/Madam,

Civil & Structural Engineers, Job Reference No. JSG400003000331782

I read from the advertisement dated 7 February 2011 on the JobsDB website, that your client has an immediate vacancy for the above mentioned position. I am enclosing my CV to express my utmost interest for the job.

I will be completing my Honours Degree in Civil Engineering at the National University of Singapore in April 2011, thus I will be available from May 2011 onwards. Being part of the organising committee of the Overseas Community Involvement Programme (OCIP) in Young Christian Students’ Movement (YCS) in the past has honed my leadership and organisational skills. The planning and coordination of the OCIP allowed me to interact with different people to coordinate schedules so as to meet deadlines.

In 2009, my teammates and I defeated 16 other teams and took home the fourth prize of a HDB book prize in a Structural Competition. We were tasked to design a simple beam using aluminium strips of 8 sizes and rivets. We defined and analysed the problem as a team and integrated our ideas to find the best solution by applying our professional knowledge skilfully. By juggling leadership positions in my co-curricular activities (CCA) and academic work, I learnt how to manage my time effectively. I have also picked up good interpersonal skills by working with different people on different projects. One example would be motivating my peers as a concert mistress to work towards our goal of Gold in the SYF competition. I believe these skills I have acquired will allow me to coordinate effectively with the consultants and sub-contractors.

I believe my coursework in Civil Engineering will help your client attain their goals. As a fresh graduate, my expected salary will be $2,500. I look forward to a favourable reply from you. Please contact me at 9270 8470, or by email at gchbernadette@singnet.com.sg. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours Faithfully,

Ms Bernadette Goh

Civil & Structural Engineers

Our client, an award winning ISO certified Building and Civil Engineering corporation located at Raffles Place has immediate vacancy of Civil and Structural Engineer Responsibilities: Liaise with supplier for design, production, delivery and installation Shop drawing checking and submission for precast element Delivery schedule preparation Site management Requirements: Degree/Diploma in Architecture or Civil/Structural Engineering or its equivalent Minimum 2 years of relevant experience Able to coordinate with consultants and sub-contractors Good interpersonal skills Fresh graduates are welcomed to apply To apply, please email your detailed CV in MS Word format to rtan@cadmusresources.com with the following details inside your CV for faster processing: Reasons for leaving for each past and current employment Salary drawn for each past and current employment Expected salary Earliest availability date Your interest will be treated in strict confidence. We regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted shortly.

Quick Apply Clipboard Send to Friend Print Close Post Date: JobsDB Ref: JSG400003000331782

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

It was in the year 2006, after receiving our posting results for O levels, I was delighted to know that one of my good friends in secondary school would be going to the same Junior College (JC) as me and the best part was - the same class too.

First year in JC went smoothly, however there is no such thing as a bed of roses in life. My good friend (Girl A) and I started to drift apart due to many known and unknown reasons. Adding to that tension, a senior of mine in the Concert Band retained to retake her A levels, and she was placed in our class. My classmates were not exactly welcoming since my class was pretty bonded after J1. However, because she was my band senior, I grew closer to her, and subsequently, the class segregated into me and her versus the rest of the class. In addition, Girl A is the type of “princess”, so people will try not to be in her “bad book”.

I sensed that Girl A and I were drifting apart when she avoided me by purposely shifting away from my seat during lecture after I placed my bag next to hers. We were from a clique in secondary school and when we went out with as a clique, she would ignore me when I talk to her and not make eye contact with me if she does talk to me. I learn from my other clique mates that she has a problem with me, but wasn’t sure why.

After we graduated from JC, we started communicating with each other again. I cannot really remember how we started talking again but I’m the type who forgives and forgets easily so I just put the whole incident behind us and became good friends again. After we started communicating, I found out that the conflict kind of started due to this Girl B who sowed discord between us, for God-knows-what reason. xD

Now for the question:
What would you have done to bridge the distance between the retainee and the class which was already bonded, while trying to salvage the friendship between Girl A and you?

Effective Communication Skills

Effective communication skills are vital for surviving in modern times like these. This is a time when information gets transmitted and shared almost immediately using social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, SMS, BBM, MSN. Therefore to survive in this “jungle”, we have to be equipped with communication skills that allow us to convey our messages clearly and succinctly because no one has the time or will bother to read grandmother stories.

In this fast pace world, it is common for us to shorten our sentences with acronyms and short forms. The following is an example of how short form can lead to communication breakdown:


A simple short cut of spelling "didn't" led to a series of misunderstandings. Short forms are supposed to make it easier and faster for us to convey messages, yet in this case, it caused misunderstanding and made it more troublesome because someone else has to explain it clearly. This is a not a big problem because it is just casual chatting on Facebook. However, if the setting and context is set in an office or work email, it may cause a lot of unnecessary trouble. Thus, nowadays I avoid using short forms as much as I can to prevent miscommunication.

I believe no matter what kind of jobs you take next time, you have to communicate with people, be it your subordinates, peers or superiors. Therefore, we have to know how to communicate appropriately with the different groups of people using different tone, different channels, etc. Because without good communication skills, I doubt one can climb the social ladder. A degree (i.e. IQ) can only get you the job, but it's the people and communication skills (i.e. EQ) which gets you promoted. :)