Traveling down Memory Lane

As I sat for our very first lesson, 13 weeks ago, I recall doubtful questions racing through my mind as I thought about the course. Would I be able to handle the workload? I got it at 1 point, how could it be possible to get a “no finals” module at one point? Could it be because it is really difficult and no one wants to take it? Peer teaching, report, resume and application letter writing, oral presentation, 6 blog posts and commenting on other friend’s blog posts, and more, can I handle it? Should I drop the module? As I walked out with Sean and Tiza, new friends that I made, they encouraged me that ES2007S is doable and I should not think of dropping it. Looking back now, I am indebted to them for those golden words of advice. ES2007S has been the most practical, applicable and useful module in my NUS academic endeavour thus far. It is the first module where I could really map a growth and difference in me from the start and the end of the module.

Prior to this module, I had never really considered the difficulties of communication with regards to the professional world, blinded by my naivety that it’s just communication; I could talk to friends, how hard could it be?  Embarking on this course however, it has opened my eyes to some probable problems that I am likely to face in the near future and provided me with food for thoughts and advice to deal with these issues. Through the course it has offered me “hands on” opportunities developing me as an individual and grooming me to be a good professional communicator.

Resume and Application  Letter Writing

Capturing the attention of and using the words on the resume and application letter to convince and persuade the future employers is one of the greatest written communication challenges that one has to overcome as we embark on our working life. Through my attempt of writing these two important documents, I have learnt the importance of being selective in what I write. Rather than simply throwing all the skills that I have at the employer, I have to choose which are the ones most applicable. Previously, I have always held the preconception that the more I write, means the more I possess and thus the more likely employers will be in employing me. This course has effectively removed this thought. At first, this was a great challenge for me, someone who tends to write lengthily believing in “the more the merrier”. Nonetheless, I have successfully overcome this through researching on the company and the requirements of the job. By doing so, it allows my resume and application letter to be more focused on showcasing that I fulfil the job requirements. Furthermore, I have also been equipped with the 7Cs to enhance any writings that I would have to do in the future. My skills for this 7Cs has also been heighten by practice, via the writing of 6 blog posts.    

Assertiveness

Reflecting on my life, I had always been a submissive friend, giving in to the demands of friends so as not to offend them. This practice however, as we have learnt from the lesson of assertiveness, may not be the best way to go in the long run. Through the lesson, I have learnt how to be assertive and yet not cross the fine line to aggressiveness. For instance, should I be met with a superior who does not really listen, one way which I could assert myself is through repetition of my point.

Presentation

Through this whole course, one of the greatest take away is presentation. When I say presentation, I mean the overall presentation of self, be it in an interview, the way we write official documents and e-mails or standing in front of a group of individuals and presenting ideas to them. One always has to take into consideration the cultural context which they are embedded in so as to prevent misunderstandings and allow for more effective communication. Similarly, in any situation, one has to be conscious of both the non-verbal and verbal aspects of communication, ensuring that we are able to convey our ideas across effectively. For example, in order to be persuasive in a presentation, the non-verbal cues that one sends out have to be coherent with their verbal cues. Personally, what is equally important is confidence. Having gone through two presentations and the mock interview, I have noticed that confidence of an individual becomes prevalent through our non-verbal messages, the way we stand, our pacing and more.

I have indeed harvested a great amount of professional communication skills through this module, something that can never be fully contained within a single blog post. Some say, every goodbye makes the next hello closer, and this is my true wish for our class. It is my sincere hope that these friendships would not depart like the passing breeze and rather that we continue to be in contact and hold onto the friendships forged.

To Dr Radhika, thank you for being such a kind, humorous, understanding and friendly instructor. The relationship forged between you and the class, between instructor and students, is not something that can be easily found in NUS and is something ever so precious!:) Thank you for your guidance and insights throughout our whole journey, you have indeed made it a fruitful and memorable one.