Eric Lim's ES2007S E-portfolio

Time flies and it is the end of the semester. My journey through ES2007s has been an interesting and enriching experience for me. At the start of this course, I was not very confident about myself giving a presentation to a class and did not know how to write an effective resume and cover letter. Eventually, this course has assisted me greatly in building up my confidence in giving presentations, as well as honing my writing skills, especially the 7Cs for proposal, resume and cover letter.

During the course, much time is spent on doing the URA proposal. First and foremost, I feel that the collaboration between me, Jeremy and Jen Sern worked out well. Frankly, I do not think that I can produce such quality proposal without their contributions. The three of us constantly made an effort to provide feedback for almost every completed task. During discussion, all of us were also open to opinions and everyone was given opportunities to contribute his own ideas. In order to increase efficiency, we adopted the "Divide and Conquer" strategy. Workload was distributed rather equally amongst ourselves, except for the compilation which was solely done by Jeremy. We also made sure that everyone was comfortable with his assigned work. Furthermore, deadlines were set to minimize the amount of last minute work. However, there were still instances whereby some of us could not meet the deadline due to academic and other commitments, resulting in occasional burning of midnight oil.

As engineering undergraduates, we tend to place too much emphasis on the technical aspects of our project. Initially, we focused too much on the technical aspects and overlooked the more important portion of our proposal: benefits of our implementation. Eventually, we managed to steer our way back to the right path. Initially, we intended to have an interview with professors from NUS department of civil engineering. However, we did not receive any reply from them. Prior to presentation, three of us were willing to fork out some time from our hectic schedule just for rehearsal. In all, I feel that everyone in the group was responsible and cooperative.

Throughout the project, I felt that it was a hassle to use wiki as a collaborative tool. We relied heavily on face to face meetings after class, e-mails, sms and our NUS IVLE created community. While using wiki, we sometimes could not upload our document or the uploaded format will be altered drastically, compared to the format we done on Microsoft Words. Moreover, if there were announcements or changes to the proposal, we would rather use the more direct approach of informing one another via sms. With sms, we would be informed immediately. On contrary, creating announcement on wiki may only send notification via email which we may overlook.

Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to both Jeremy and Jen Sern for making the project a success. In addition, I also want to thank Dr Radhika for encouraging me and providing me guidance on my shortfalls throughout the course. The skills that I have learnt during this course would definitely prove very useful, be it in my daily life or my future career. I will definitely continue to work on these skills to further improve them.

On 7 April 2011, after 6 weeks of hard work, my group finally concluded our GreenTop project with an oral presentation. In all, I felt that our team performed much better, as compared to our previous dry run. Therefore, I would like to thank both Jeremy and Jen Sern for putting in the effort to making the presentation and proposal a success. I shall reflect on my oral presentation, based on my preparation, delivery and use of slideware/audio visuals.

Preparation
During the dry run, I did not prepare my script thoroughly. This resulted in instances where I was unable to generate suitable words to convey my message, as well as long pauses at which I was at a loss for words. For the actual oral presentation, I was able to create out a more comprehensive script so as to construct a better presentation flow. Furthermore, we managed to rehearse the presentation twice. By then, I managed to get some of the ideas and the flow into my mind. With regards to my slides, I used simple phrases instead of long sentences to convey my messages. This may allow the audience to focus their attention on my presentation more for further relevant details. I did not use cue cards as I felt that I would not be able to generate a relevant sentence pertaining to a specific point. Therefore, I would rather rely on a script. In all, I felt that my preparation was rather ample.

Delivery
As compared to the dry run, I was slightly more confident and was able to articulate my words more fluently with a fairly good voice projection. I also made an effort to maintain some form of eye contact with some audience. To be frank, I was rather nervous during my presentation. As such, I made one serious error in my speech. The original part should have been "Imagine a self-sustainable Singapore, one that is not dependent on other countries for food, water and energy." However, due to my nervousness, I blurted this: "Imagine a self-sustainable Singapore, one that is not dependent on other countries for food, water and air."In addition, as I kept referring to my script, I was unable to constantly maintain eye contact with the audience. In order to convince the audience, one has to show his enthusiasm and friendliness. This is also another area which I feel myself lacking.

Slideware/audio visuals
For my part, I feel that the pictures of my last few slides clearly exhibit the visions our team had for the future. This will greatly allow the audience to have a clearer image just as I was describing the possible positive outcomes of GreenTop implementation.

In all, I feel that I did reasonably well and had improved slightly from the dry run. However, there is still for improvement. Although this module is concluding, I will still put what I have learned into practice, so as to become a more confident speaker.

Singapore is a multi-cultural society, comprising a diverse mix of ethnic and religious groups. The Chinese in Singapore mostly practice Buddhism or Christianity. Just as the majority, my family and I adhere to Buddhism. However, I realize that our common practices such as ancestor worship and that of numerous deities are similar to the practices of Taoism. These are also prevalent in numerous Buddhist families that I am aware of. Due to the peaceful coexistence of Buddhism and Taoism, there seems to be a blurred line of distinction between the two religions amongst the Chinese, resulting in a "hybrid" religion. Despite of this, most of the adherents usually declare themselves as Buddhists.

To me, I strongly believe that all religions generally preach about the same things: the right ethics and morals. Therefore, we should respect other religions and their cultures as well. Even though my family and I are devoted Buddhists, we interact actively with our friends and neighbors from other religions. Sometimes, we even discuss about our religions so as to have a better understanding of their religions.

Often, a Chinese pastor and his colleague from a nearby church will usually do house visit at our area on the last Sunday of every month. They will visit any household to preach about Christianity. Normally, we will invite them into our house to discuss about Christianity. However, there is one visit which resulted in an intercultural conflict between my mother and a pastor.

On that day, a Caucasian pastor who just came to the church from overseas turned up at our house, instead of the usual Chinese one. Nevertheless, my mother and I invited him in and started our discussion about Christianity. As this was his first visit to our house, he asked about our religious beliefs. Upon learning about our faith, he began to question our Buddhist concepts of karma and rebirth and kept highlighting the benefits of Christianity over Buddhism. He seemed to be very aggressive in his preaching and I could sense that my mother was starting to get uncomfortable with him. Halfway through the conversation, our ancestral tablet caught his attention and he actually found the idea of placing offerings in front of a piece of wooden block laughable. It was at that instance whereby my mother lost her cool, went back to her room and slammed her door. I was taken aback by my mother's reaction as she had never treated any guest in such a way.

After that, I immediately explained to the pastor that we believed in ancestor worship and that piece of wooden block is actually an ancestral tablet.In addition, I also offered feedback about his aggressive preaching which may offend other religion believers in Singapore. Upon hearing that, he was apologetic to my mother about his earlier preaching. In the end, my mother forgave him and offered him a word of advice: Respect others' religions when preaching.

To me, the pastor may have felt strongly that Christianity is a religion that offers salvation to mankind. Therefore, he would be able to help more people by trying to convert them to Christianity. Thus his aggressive preaching. In addition, he may have used this approach in his culture and it does not result in any adverse feedback. However, he should realise that he is actually preaching in another country with a multi-religious culture whereby people maybe sensitive towards his preaching. Therefore, he should study about the country's cultures and religions before devising his preaching methods so as to minimise intercultural or inter-religious conflicts.

Apt Blk XX
XXXXXXXXX XXXXX #XX-XXX
Singapore XXXXXX

9 February 2011

The Officer in Charge
Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited (ST Kinetics)
249 Jalan Boon Lay
Singapore 619523

Dear Sir/Madam,

Application for Position of Materials Science and Engineering Intern

I hope that you will consider me for an internship opportunity with your firm. Attached is my resume for your consideration.

I am currently a third year undergraduate with the National University of Singapore, majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. My specialization is in nanostructured materials and nanotechnology. My experience with materials characterization and failure in materials has enhanced my skills in quantitative and qualitative analyses, as well as my ability to work effectively under various conditions.

My previous work experience as a call center associate has enhanced my abilities in public relations and multitasking, in order to provide helpful and comprehensive solutions to clients. These skills have enabled me to perform better and ethically when dealing with various problems in an increasingly globalized society.

I personally find that an internship with ST kinetics can be a mutually beneficial opportunity. Your company has an excellent reputation for a high degree of productivity and quality, and I know that the combination of my experience and education will make me an asset to your firm.

Should you have any questions before that time, you may reach me via phone or via email.


Yours faithfully,

Eric Lim

Prior to entering university, I was working as a customer service associate in a local Telco call center. My daily task was to handle customers’ inquiries about their mobile phone plans and assist them accordingly.

During my first month of work, I was assigned to a group under a certain Mrs M who was the team supervisor. I have to admit that I did not like the way she managed the team and there was a clash in working ethics between us.
Even when she was the only team supervisor on duty, she would only bother about matters pertaining to her own team, and not render assistance to the others. When customers of the other teams requested to speak with the supervisor, she would either tell that colleague who handled the customer that she had other follow up phone calls to make or generate ideas to tell that colleague to stall the customer until their own supervisors returned to work. To me, customers who request to speak to managers are those who are really exasperated are looking for some concrete solution. The way Mrs M handled the situation would further aggravate the situation, leading to further complaints on the department.

To make things worse, she told us not to assist customers who were previously handled by colleagues from the other groups. Instead, she expected us to transfer the call to that colleague who handled the customer’s call to follow up. If that colleague was absent, she told us to inform the customer that our colleague will contact him/her shortly. I personally feel that we should just follow up on the case at our end so as to minimize the risk of customer complaints. From the way she carried herself as a supervisor, I feel that she was afraid of shouldering responsibilities and that she only cared about her own group’s performance instead of the company’s as a whole.

Once, a customer who was previously handled by another colleague from another team called in. The call was assigned to me by the system. The previous colleague was supposed to activate the roaming services for her but failed to do so. From the customer’s tone, she was very unhappy and disappointed. Therefore, instead of forwarding the call to that colleague, I activated the required service immediately and provided her with some benefits within my empowerment, as compensation for our lapse in service. She was so satisfied with the services that she sent a written compliment to our department.

Instead of congratulating me, Mrs M actually told me not to handle another team’s problems. She even reprimanded me for abusing my empowerment to give her the benefits easily. I left her office fuming and had half a mind to write an e-mail to the manager to feedback on the working ethics of Mrs M. Upon calming down, I realized that I had to stick with her for another 3 more months and was afraid that the management might associate themselves with her more as I was merely a temporary staff. Eventually, I did not send that email. Surprisingly, she was promoted soon after. Fortunately, another team supervisor who was more helpful and responsible took over until my contract ended.

Considering that the company requires me to provide them feedback of my experience in the company, will you inform them about Mrs M working ethics for the benefit of the company’s future?

In my own perspective, being equipped with effective communication skills enables you to convey your ideas, through various channels, across to the intended audience comprehensively, without causing any misunderstanding and offense. To me, these skills are very important and useful as there are numerous instances in which my lack of such skills resulted in undesirable situations.

One notable instance would be the problems that I encountered during my job search prior to entering the University. My search for a job was an arduous attempt, made so as a result of my inadequate skills at writing effective resumes and presenting myself in front of an audience. I realized that possessing both effective oral and written communication skills are vital in presenting a good first impression to potential employers.

Furthermore, in my various attempts at corresponding with different parties, I have come to realize the ease at which the slightest of poor body languages and tone can be all it takes for a great deal of misunderstandings. It is therefore the reason why I myself, along with many others around me, place high emphasis on a good set of communication skills as a means of accurately and concisely relating our thoughts to others.

In conclusion, effective communication is a skill that is essential in various aspects of one’s life, in the family, amongst peers, or even at the workplace. In fact, such a skill is so vitally important that often it stands as a key ingredient to a successful and well-accomplished life.