Part-time Jobs for Undergraduates

Some people work for money while others work for experience. Some wish to beef up their resume and add credentials in their dossier; thus, stand a better chance for employability. Nevertheless, as an undergraduate, perhaps the priority has to be more of gaining experience as well as extending social and future business network. This is because part-time jobs can also be essential in grooming entrepreneurship skills among undegraduates.

When I was an undergraduate, I spent some of my long semester breaks doing odd jobs like working as a waitress in a restaurant where I also picked up some cooking as well as communication skills, and as a lab assistant in a glove factory where I put my chemistry knowledge to some use. I also worked in a biscuit factory until I got fed up of eating free biscuits - all those delicous love rolls and crackers. Furthermore, I gave tuition classes to primary school children, and was a personal tutor to two well-off children in KL for some time.

Many of my friends were doing part-time jobs while studying mostly because the scholarship or study loan was rather inadequate. Nevertheless, there were friends who could afford almost anything, but still engaged a part-time job for their own reasons. Apart from the extra money, I did all the jobs because I wanted to know what working life is like. One good lesson I learnt from my part-time jobs back then was this: studying is definitely tough and challenging - but working and earning some money on your own without that scroll is nothing easy!!! So, I kinda cherished my undergraduate years ultimately.

I believe that undergraduates nowadays take up part-time jobs because of innumerable reasons. As long as they have a good intention, it should be a worthy experience. It can make them more matured in dealing with everyday challenges and confronting obstacles. Nevertheless, they must prioritize on their education and never get carried away with the monthly income. University education is still very necessary, and undergraduates need the scroll in order to enjoy a more promising future.

I believe many of you have done part-time jobs before. Please share with us your experience and fond /miserable memories. For those who plan to have a part-time job during the long break, what kind of jobs are you looking for and why?

Heartiest Dedication

To all my beloved students, ex-students and future students,

The final exam is around the corner. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in all your papers. May you get the letter-grades you've been working for, this semester.

To my COIT students, sect 1, 19 and 20, the semester has been exciting and rejuvenating. I'm so glad that we met, even only for a short 15 weeks. You're so cheerful and talented, and I hope you do something about it. It's been memorable indeed.

TO EDSoc. members, and 15 brilliant students who were involved in my Phd research, you can definitely beat the challenge of employability. You'll get that job you want, soon.

To everybody:
Now, you may want to continue this goodwill thread to wish your friends and everybody in this blogging community best of luck in the coming exam.

Take care everybody:) You can do it, so do it wonderfully.

Pn Zue

Good vs Bad Habits

One of my students presented a speech on "habit" yesterday and I promised the class that i shall post one short article on the topic in this blog. I guess this topic is close to us, particularly in analysing our everyday attitude, behaviour and personality. Whether we realize it or not, some of our habits potray and also reveal our true selves significantly.

In general, we can think of habits from two perspectives: good and constructive habit, as well as bad and destructive habits. But, how do you draw a line between these two domains? If it is based on principles of life, moral values and common understanding, anything that contributes to the betterment of mankind can be considered as good habit. On the contary, actions that can bring harm, injustice or casualty will be labelled negative. Then, what happens to so-called human rights? Human prerogatives? Freedom of expression of your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviour? Freedom of choice?

Well, in uptight situations like this, we need to remember that we live in a community replete with standard practices and accepted values. Thus, in order not to offend the people around us, as much as we don't want to suppress our freedom to do what we like, we can study the norm of our society. It is polite to observe some ethical considerations as well as unwritten rules.

For example, many of our friends are smokers. We all know that it's a harmful habit, which can be even more hazardous to the people around called secondary smokers. Too bad - some are heavy and chain smokers that they can't quit despite health campaigns and incessant cough. For this group of people, we generally request that they occupy the non-smoking corners at the restaurants, refrain from smoking in gazetted non-smoking areas, and stay away from pregnant ladies and children. In other words, make it a personal agenda.

Nevertheless, even personal habits like biting fingernails under stress, putting one hand in the pocket during public speaking, and taking snacks before sleep should be avoided due to certain conventions and etiquette namely grooming, public speaking and health. Good habits like reading even at bus-stops and in the commuter, or saying thank you, should be nurtured and encouraged.

Interesting? Mind-boggling? Confusing?

Well, think back and evaluate yourself. What are some of the bad habits that you should abandon? Similarly, what are some good habits you shall keep for the rest of our life, promote to friends, and something you plan to adopt in the near future?

Let's get the ball rolling and discuss this interesting phenomenon which is ruling our lives - GOOD vs BAD HABITS.

Involvement in Campus Activities

Recently, I attended two great events organized by the university students: A Malay theatre: "Selendang Milik Laila"and "Indian Cultural Nite 2008". Frankly, I think the undergraduates have done a fantastic job. It's definitely not an easy task: putting the task force together; coordinating specific duties that require maturity, knowledge and external contact; and ensuring quality product to meet the expectation and satisfaction of the audience.

First, the theatre production - "Selendang Milik Laila". Putting up a live performance requires absolute planning and accurate execution of strategies. Can we imagine a slight blunder backstage? onstage? The actors will get distracted, mood will diminish, and the audience will probably lose their concentration. But the students' production was next to perfect. The actors and actresses played their roles very well. My children like Tok Ketua, and the audience like him too. Tok Chik was another interesting character, typical kampong folk, and a cheeky old man.

The protagonist looked cool on his 60's bike (good prop). Some of the audience and I was just a bit worried about the kampung house or hut..luckily the zink did not slip. Overall, promotion was done early enough (with the banners) which attracted a multi-ethnic crowd. I was there - and it was full house! Isn't that a good indication of success, already?:)Bravo. The technical crew (Rahim & friends) did a fabulous job in supporting the production.A salute to the director and script writer. Finally,I must thank Hadi for his kind invitation. I took my girls with me, and I believe they learned a great deal from the theatre. Here's their photo against the banner. Perhaps, they should turn it into a novel and the sales will go to ASTENA proportionately. Long Live ASTENA.

Next, Pushpa invited me to a UNICS cultural night last weekend. When I told my children about it, they were so excited and couldn't wait for the event. We had all the reasons to be there: 1. Indian cultural dance is our family favourite 2. they promised a non-stop showcase of varieties of Indian dance 3. Navin was the emcee 4. hey, it's free...come on..where can you get anything valuable yet free, these days?

My girls wore their Indian costume, bought in Little India in Penang. It was fun and enjoyable, mesmerizing and captivating. The event was very well organized, guys with walkie-talkie were almost everywhere, even on stage, and there was no hiccups at all. The emcees tried dancing and singing, and that was also pretty entertaining. The most impressive thing about the event is that it was full-house, and the crowd was multi-cultural and multi-ethnic, with students, lecturers, and lots of parents. I was so glad when one of the parents actually won the lucky draw. Of course, the fact that I saw many of my own students and ex-students on stage (Rao's breakdance was fabulous) and behind the succesful production is the next best thing. Thumbs up everybody.

Actually, there are many more events like this on campus and this provides a sturdy platform for our undergraduates to enhance their soft skills and also talent. We don't learn about leadership and team work only in class or through organizing academic and social projects, but also from cultural events like this.

Nevertheless, some may be skeptical and wonder - aren't the undergraduates supposed to concentrate on their studies - revisions, assignments, and projects? Why do they choose to be actively involved in campus activities?? Well, only those who have experienced organizing and participating in campus activities can provide us with the authentic answer.

Finally, lat's have a more balanced life everybody - join the campus activities and make a difference. Varsity days become more colourful with these activities:)

My First Speech

Do you remember your first speech? Or...Did you just deliver a speech? Better still, will you be presenting your speech soon?

Three interesting questions, not so much rhetorical, but enough to invite response among this blogging community hopefully.

Beginners usually prepare well-crafted speeches, sometimes too perfect that they get trapped in the web of intricate language or complicated concepts and explanation. Instead of developing a suitable speech which explains the topic in simple yet clear language, beginners sometimes underestimate their own capability and end up copying or borrowing somebody else's speech.

A ready-made speech may look very good on paper; nevertheless, it may not match the speaker's style, personality, or worse, ability. This will result in a blunder.

I hope it's comforting to say here that you should try to craft your very own speech. It may sound demanding, but if it succeeds, you shall be proud of your masterpiece. A speech can look very simple for a start. Something like an extended outline, embellished with finishing touches like establishing common ground - use of personal pronouns to bring the topic closer to the audience, use of rhetorical questions to make the audience think along the line of arguments presented in the speech, and personalized information.

Other than that, the speech has to be 'designed' with three aspects in mind: timeliness, proximity and seriousness. Think about this - you want the audience to listen to you for 10 minutes. Wouldn't it do them justice by telling them what they want and need to know more, rather than rambling about matters so detached? Bring the discussion closer to the audience, and work on it!

Hmm...easier said than done...? No. Try it and you will see the difference. Believe in your own intelligence, ability and talent. If you have learned about it in class, it's time to find the strength in you to 'design' your own speech making sure that it suits your oral style and oratory skills.

I'm sure many of you have done just that - having designed your own speech, did it take off as you had expected it to be? In reality, the speech shall be your launching pad. Definitely, you need to have some rounds of rehearsals or practices, and some degree of exposure and experience will take you a step further.

Perhaps you could share with us on this blog what it was like - you know, presenting your first speech? Sooner or later, we shall all go through the same challenge, if not in Public Speaking class...in societies, clubs or get-togethers...think positive. It's an avenue to speak up;)