The Last One... ALREADY??

Well, this is the last week of the semester; lo and behold, this is in fact the last week of my NUS academic career. Reviewing the understanding of the value of effective communications which I had before the semester and after the semester, I might say that there is not much change to it. Same as before, I think that effective communication skills are crucial in our daily life. It is not only used in the workplace, but rather, it is also critical in maintaining a good relationship with all those around you: parents, friends, loved ones.

This module has provided a platform for intense practice of this particularly useful skill. Communication skills were practiced in small group discussions during classes, in classroom settings where each individual was encouraged to voice out our opinion. In particular (and it is something very new to me, being the cyber “mountain turtle” which I tend to be), communication skills were practiced through blogging and commenting on each other’s blog. The addition of the new media component certainly has added an interesting touch to this module. Of course, and how can I forget, the group project for this module has not only sharpened our critical thinking and writing, but through working in a group, has certainly also forced all members to utilize the skills taught in class. Firstly we had to try to communicate effectively with each other using the 7Cs via emails and writings. Secondly, it was to learn to compromise and accept that each individual is different, and by working in a team is to try to synergize each individual’s strong points and produce a piece of work which at the end of the day, each member of the team can proudly say that, “This is our joint effort! Well done!” Thirdly, the presentation at the end of the project has also forced us to put on the hat of a “salesman”. Essentially, we had to think of ways to put across our ideas in the paper effectively and concisely, without boring the hell out of the audience.

All the above has honed my communication skills. Although I think the value which I placed on effective communication skills has not altered, I would like to think that after the whole semester’s worth of continuous practice and sharpening, in gaming terms, my communication skills (as well as all fellow ES2007s tutorial mates’ comms skills) have “leveled up”!

All about Kenny

I am Kenny, a 4th year Mechanical Engineering major, specializing in Offshore Oil and Gas Technology. Academically, my main interests are in the area of materials technologies and the development offshore oil and gas equipment. For my final year project, I have successfully designed and fabricated a hydrophone (an underwater acoustic device used for oil and gas deposits exploration). Due to the interest which I have in engineering, in my academic pursuits, I was awarded 2 Dean’s List awards as well as the South East Asia Exploration Society (SEAPEX) Best Presentation Award.

To have a more hands-on experience in the Offshore Oil and Gas industry, I applied for and spent a 3-month varsity vacation at Keppel Offshore and Marine (KOM), one of the world’s leading offshore and marine companies. The time spent there has given me a peek into the life of an offshore oil and gas engineer. Perhaps it is the various technical challenges which the job of a Keppel engineer offers, or perhaps it is the prospect that as a project manager, I might one day be able to manage a multi-million ship/rig building project; I applied for the KOM scholarship. After 4 rounds of interview, I am thankful that they found me to be worth my salt, and awarded me with the scholarship.

Outside the academic arena, I have a keen interest in the current affairs, particularly in the areas of government and politics. In this fast-paced globalizing world, I believe that it is important for one to be able to think quicker, deeper, broader and further. Thus, it is necessary for one to be consistently enriched with the various views and news around the world. I spend my leisure time reading books and the various columns found in The Straits Times. The consistent intellectual stimulations from the above sources have allowed me to think more critically.

Aside from recreational basketball and soccer sessions, I have a keen interest in the performing arts. Being the president of the SAJC Chinese Society, I had the privilege of working with a very talented and dedicated team of club members. The play which I scripted, directed and acted in was awarded the third prize in the National Schools Drama Competition. It was also a very rewarding experience being the emcee of the 2001 National Schools Songwriting Competition organized by SPH. All these have given me the confidence to lead and taught me the importance of teamwork. More importantly, having only joined a drama club at the JC level, the experiences have helped me uncover a certain talent in me which I never know existed before (I was in NCC during my sec sch days).

To end off, I would like to quote from a ST “Think” column (it is a weekly ST column which has its columnist circulated amongst the directors of various think tanks/research institutes in Singapore, do read it if you have the time, it’s kinda good) which I read recently, and has since left a deep impression on me,

“Do what you can today, for you may never know whether there is tomorrow.”

I intend to seize the day and live life to the fullest. One should be thankful for what one has now, give back to the society whenever possible; for seriously, one does not know if there is a tomorrow. I would want to lead a meaningful life, in good times and bad.

Carpe Diem.