Final Presentation

I like this module as is it not any ordinary modules that involve memorizing. It is more of learning how to do it, learning from your mistake and making improvements (which I personally feel that learning should be like that) and also experiencing it. This module is also very informative, enlightening, useful and practical. I learned how to present myself, my thoughts and work more professionally. 

In the first lesson, I learned the 7 Cs. I think it is very important and should be applied in every area and everyday life, for example when you are speaking, doing presentation, writing letter and proposal, etc. as they help to reduce “noise”. 

Through peer teaching, I learned how to be more daring, accepting more ‘out of the box’ ideas- conducting a practical session. I also learned good relationship with members aid in teamwork and it shows unconsciously.

Blogging allows me to think and evaluate my points as I pen down my thoughts. It also forces me to be concise and clear as we have word limit. In addition, it allows us to comment on classmates’ blogs which also encourages us to evaluate and analysis. 

Reading expression is also something I learned, which is essential. I learned how people react when they feel angry, upset, uncomfortable, ect., and how we should react in response. In addition, I learned how to manage them when I am feeling emotional too so that people around me would not be affected negatively. 

All in all, it has been a pleasure to have an amazing teacher and 10 awesome class mates. I would like to thank Ms Fazilah and classmates as learned a lot from them. 

Thank you and all the best!

Reflection on Oral Presentation

I think that most students do not like to do oral presentation as it is rather demanding. It requires much confidence, knowledge on the presentation topic, charisma, logic, good slides, visual/ audio aids, etc. However it is inevitable, so I would rather that we take them positively, making every presentation an opportunity as well as challenge to practice, improve and prefect our presentation skills. 


For the URA's presentation, specifically, I think that my group make good use of visual aids, was rather persuasive, the flow was smooth and  there was good teamwork. And of course, we made mistakes, I could have placed myself in a better position when Alvin's was having his turn and I could be more calm when Greg signed that there was 5 minutes left.


Generally, some of the positive points that I think I have is that I make sure that I know the content of my presentation very very well so that I minimize the possibility of "blank out". Also, I try to make the slides helpful for me and my audience. The slides should be able to help me recall my script and allow my audience to follow. However, I still have many weaknesses which I wish to conquer. Just to name two, I am not confident enough to do away with the script and I lack charisma that good presenters have.


A way that (I think it is rather useful) we can improve our presentation is to critique and evaluate other people's presentation. Learn their good points and avoid making the same mistakes.

Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

I have a cousin who worked in Hong Kong. There, she experienced many culture and custom differences and often shares her interesting stories with us during family gatherings.

I would like to share a few of them with you.

1: Queuing up at the ATM
Singaporeans: Typically, Singaporeans would leave a reasonable gap in between each person and leave more space for the person using the ATM.
Hongkongers: They tend to stand close behind you and there should be no gaps. 

-My cousin was being scolded by an uncle for not closing up the gap. Also she felt that there was no privacy when she's using the ATM. 
I think you have to trust that they will not peep over and see what you are doing when using the ATM. 

2: BBQ
Singaporeans: For barbecue sessions, we would usually place a wire net over the fire. Food also be placed on the wire net during cooking. 
Hongkongers: They do not use wire net, they think that it is dirty to place food on the wire net.

-Her Hong Kong colleagues did not take the food that was prepared by her even though she had specially cooked for them as a way to express thanks before leaving for Singapore during a barbecue outing. She felt that they could not appreciate her gestures. 
I think that this is not as difficult as point 1. You will just need to remember that they do not barbecue their food over the wire net as they think it is dirty. 

3:'Ta Bao"
Singaporeans: "Ta bao" means take away. This is usually used when we want to buy take aways. 
Hongkongers: To them it means death and then would refrain from saying. 

-As my cousin learnt this before leaving Singapore she did not have any problems with this.:)

Application Letter Critique

Job Advertisement

Applied Sciences Group

Division:   Biology Divsion

Position:   Laboratory Officer, DNA Profiling Laboratory

Responsibilities:

You will work under the supervision of Forensic Scientists. You will work on forensic exhibits for examination of presence of biological fluids. You will perform routine and some special laboratory procedures involving DNA extraction and amplification; calibrate and maintain equipment and participate in quality assurance activities.

Requirements

·  Diploma in Biotechnology or Degree in Science (Biology related subjects) from a recognized Institution

·  Highly motivated with a strong desire to protect public health and safety

·  Proficient in Microsoft Office Application

·  Good communication and interpersonal skills

·  Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds

·  Ability to work independently as well as in a team

·  Keen eye for detail

 Interested applicants please email us your detailed resume to hsa_hr@hsa.gov.sg and indicate Laboratory Officer, DNA Profiling Laboratory on the subject header.

Last updated on 17 Dec 2010 15:22:40 

Application Letter

Ng Zhi Yan
Blk 238 Hougang Ave 8
#08-227 S(530238)
63874057
96882245
Ngzhiyan.zhiyan@gmail.com

Human Resource Officer
Health Sciences Authority
11 Outram Road
Singapore 1690

4 February 2011

Dear Mr/Ms

Applied Sciences Group, Laboratory Officer, DNA Profiling Laboratory

Your advertisement for a Laboratory Officer caught my eyes as my education qualification and experience closely matches your requirement. I am interested in pursuing a possibility of employment, thus I am enclosing my resume for your consideration.

First of all, I am currently an undergraduate student in National University of Singapore, majoring in Life Sciences. I am wholeheartedly dedicated to Life Sciences, and have no desire to deviate in any way from this field. This has been my passion since primary days.

Second, I have been brought up in a family where consideration and respecting the others, being selfless and empathy are of paramount. One of my family values is thinking for others before self, therefore protecting the public interest can be considered as one of my important values.

Third, I have always worked well with people. I was a concert master in my high school where I worked closely with my instructor, teacher-in-charge and committee members during and outside practices, there were also a few public performances where I had to lead my players. I would say that I have led them well and managed to put up pleasing performances. Not only working well in team, I am also able to work independently. For an experimental module, I had to extract mouse actin, conduct DNA extraction, DNA amplification and write report individually. I had done well for this module and thus I believe that I am competent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a Laboratory Officer in DNA Profiling Laboratory.

Last, I have been told by my peers that I am very observant, meticulous and conscientious. Thus I fulfill the requirement of keen eye for detail. I am also proficient in Microsoft Office as I have learnt them during my primary and secondary school days and having been using them since then to do school reports and projects.    

I am excited about the opportunity to join Health Sciences Authority. I do hope you will look favourably at my application. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours Faithfully

Ng Zhi Yan

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

This took place when I was in secondary 2 where I had to make a small car, one which would be operate with 2AA batteries, with a partner for Design and Technology (D&T) class. We had a semester to complete the car and there would be a class car competition at the end of the semester. 

We were suppose to come out with a car design, the materials needed to make the car, and a report which contain information on our car and some research about electronic car. The making of the car would be during the sessions of our D&T practical. 

In the beginning, we sat down and discuss which part of the project we are supposed to be in-charge of.  I was to come out with the design of the car and the materials needed. She would then make improvements to the design. She was responsible for the report and I would edit.

The car was designed like a tortoise with the shell made of wood, wheels replaced the legs and head and tail which could be moved. Different shades of green acrylic would be pasted on the wooded shell for decoration. 

To cut the story short...

We encountered problems with the acrylic. She told me that was afraid of the acrylic cutting machine and suggested that I should cut the acrylic, instead of her. I did not answer her question but recommended that we could cut them into bigger pieces. She said that big acrylic would not be as nice as small ones. After her comment, I decided to keep the acrylic size to the original one and I would do the cutting cause I thought she would definitely not to it. Actually I was very much afraid of the machine too and was quite upset but I still headed towards the machine and cut my acrylic. Halfway through my first piece, an uncle who was in-charge to the D&T room came to my rescue. He saw that I had difficulties cutting them and offered help.  

Let me fast forward my story a little…

The second thing which got me angry was that she did not do the word document. She said that she was busy with other subject projects and did not have time to do our report. I felt that she was just making excuses and so I decided to treat her coldly from then on and insisted that she should come out with the report by hook or by crook.

In the end...

We managed to complete the project and entered our car for the competition. However, we came in almost last. Her comment after the race was ‘How fast do you want a tortoise car to go? I knew it would lose from the beginning.’ I was very disappointed with my friend. 

Why wouldn’t she tell me that there was a problem with my design and so that we could change it right at the beginning?

Did she not say it because she did not care or what?

What do you think after reading my story?

Why Effective Communication Skills Are Important For Me

 I used to be very shy during my primary and secondary school days. I will only talk, ask and answer when I really need to. I was reluctant to express what I feel because I could not do it confidently and was afraid that I would say something wrong. In addition, my English was poor, so I was not able to convey my thoughts well. Then when I was in JC, I had a classmate who earned much respect from his peers and gained popularity from the teachers because he has got effective communication skills. He was able to give convincing impromptu speeches effortlessly and make good presentation when leading his team of councilors and doing Project Work. I realized that effective communication is the key to get you where you want to be in your life.

For me, I am learning how to be an assertive communicator with efficient communication skills. I want to be able to confidently express what I think, feel and believe, standing up for my rights while respecting the rights of others. It is important and essential skill for both successful business and personal relationship. It is also a powerful tool that has the ability to connect and build rapport with other people. Therefore, effective communication skills are to be learned can be learned and will be used at any age.