It's already mid-April and here I am trying to write a post on the happenings in March. Well, better late than never I say.
March was kind of like the start to the new phase of life - Post (Unofficial) Graduation. As much as I am looking forward to starting this next phase of life, there was this degree of apprehension, about the choices I have to make and what I am going into.
I guess I am really blessed that somehow everything flowed into plan, starting from the decision to take part in HRYF2012 for the second time and the last minute application for Internships@Gov. A matter of fact, I expected neither. I expected myself to slowly find a HR-related temporary position, while enjoying my new found freedom with gatherings and meet-ups. Competition, and another internship, honestly I did not expect it at all.
Things happen for a reason, and I am glad for how things went (especially when I really loved how everything is pre-planned and there is no time wasting :) )
And yes, moving on to what happened in March.
1)
Celebration of Learning 2012
To mark our unofficial graduation, our B.I.G. Juniors organised the Celebration of Learning for our batch. I vaguely remembered how we were doing the same for our seniors the year before, and how fast time flies, it is now our turn to sit in the audience to enjoy this 'informal graduation' event they prepared for us.
There were performances by the juniors and the seniors :)
And of course, the presentation of the SIP Certificates and the usual group photos.
Photo Credits: Liang Rong
Taking photo when everyone's focus is on what is happening on stage haha!
B.I.G. Seniors and Juniors
Photo Credits: Liang Rong
Photo Credits: Liang Rong
2) HRYF 2012
Participated in the HRYF 2012 with the same team as last year's. I'd say we are back for more, having enjoyed the last run. Personally, I felt that this year's HRYF was more challenging, with more emphasis being placed on the case competition which is usually the core of the forum. Plus, there were really strong teams this year bringing about a higher level of stress, but at the same time a greater motivation to perform.
Of course, more emphasis on the case competition implies that we could practice our already rusty HR PBL skills! No HR modules in the past semesters and our HR knowledge and our technique of doing PBL was kind of fading away, so it was definitely a refresh for us seniors.
Preparations
Quest 1 Briefing!
Seniors' Team's Presentation - Xiu Wei, Clara and Ruth
Juniors!
Chin Yi and I doing presentation for Quest 2!
Judges at work!
Prof doing a round-up on both presentations
Unbelievably, we came in 2nd in the Polytechnic Category! 2nd time at the forum and coming in 2nd place! It was a pleasant surprise especially with the quality of teams and the change in competition format this year. I guess our presentation in Quest 2 really made the difference :)
Photo Credits: Calister/HRC/NTU
Photo Credits: Calister/HRC/NTU
2 Certificates!
Our Prize - 'It Starts with One' by J. Stewart Black
3)
Internships @ PSD, PMO
The building where my office is located
In mid-March, I started work at the most unexpected place, doing the most unexpected job. Honestly, I did not expect myself to start on another internship, especially not in the public sector, I thought I will end up with a temporary HR job somewhere in the private sector. Well, I guess things happen for a reason, and somehow I still ended up in the Public Sector. It is quite amazing how things turned out, from overlooking 2 invitations, to receiving the reminder phone call, and deciding to apply 3 days before the closing date and later, the interview session the day before my exams started and lastly, landing the position on the same day!
And wow, the process was really smooth for something this unexpected, all within a week if I didn't recall wrongly! The job scope was somewhat related to HR, so I was still on familiar turfs :) It feels good to have a job offer waiting before exams commenced, so the degree of anxiety from completing a part of my education journey was not as bad. I had 'something' and not completely nothing to do :) Although there are still many of those 'it's the deciding factor' decisions to be made :/
So what made me eventually decide to go on a Public Service Internship?
1) I needed a job.
I knew I would probably go look for a temporary job to gain more experience and kill time till university starts in August. So I thought, I can just try this. After all, it is all or nothing, if I don't get this, I can easily go on a job search for another job. And if I get it (like how it happened), it will be a bonus, no need to do a job search :)
2) There was something related to HR.
As you might know, my area of interests lies in HR and Events Management, and since my previous internship was in relation to the latter, I would prefer to try out something in HR. I need to check if I can last in a HR position before I make a wrong decision in selecting my majors at the university level!
So I was glad to find a few HR positions in the list of available positions, by which 2 of them really interests me. So I applied for those along with an events management position (not conference related). Truthfully, the job descriptions listed on the portal was really interesting. I mean, who knew an intern can be up to all these! (Well, never underestimate an intern? Hahah!)
3) Experience in the Public Sector sounds good.
It is probably not easy to get a temporary job with all the competition out there, and opportunities only knocks once (In fact, this opportunity knocked thrice! since I overlooked the first 2 invitation!). I guess 3 reminders ought to mean something. And plus, there was no harm trying it out, eventually, it is all for gaining more experience in the working world.
Prior to this internship, I had a 1-week stint at a statutory board, and that wasn't too bad to deter me from trying out another job in this sector. And since people around me had been encouraging me to go for it, so why not? At least the job scope was something I was passionate about and interested in. So yes, I can do this!
I was really glad to be shortlisted for the interview (especially when I applied real late!) and eventually getting and accepting the offer, marking my first foray into the Civil Service ;D
The only downside, my office has no cubicles. I have been trying to see if I can get a job that involves working in cubicles since I have never done it before. But attempt failed :( Maybe that it is sort of a good thing since the people I 'complained' to about this to told me working in cubicles is really boring. So maybe, I ought to be thankful and appreciate the benefits and convenience of a open-style office :)
Odd thing #2! I have never worked in the private sector before. Just the public sector and non profit sector after excluding those ad-hoc event jobs where I never did work in the company for more than a week. And now it is public sector again, so I guess next job I will try for the private sector?
Anyhow, I like my experiences being unique and different like this :) I really appreciate the varying nature of my job scope, and the fact that I will be kept busy with this dual role. Work has been so far so good, and I am managing the load well. I can't disclose what exactly I am doing because I have to abide by Official Secrets Act, but I can say that I'm blessed with a wonderful working environment, fantastic colleagues and interesting job scope. So, I will try to have fun and learn and absorb as much from this stint as possible :)
This job will probably keep me occupied till mid-June? Shall start thinking and planning about what to do during the short break in between post-internship and pre-orientation :) Planning ahead is always good :)
Meanwhile, coming up in the remainder of April and later May:
1) Senior's Gathering (That's tomorrow, will be joining them for dinner since I will be at work in the day!)
2) Graduation! Finally our turn to graduate in the 'Harry Potter' robes haha!
3) Some events at work (Can't disclose again, but hopefully it will be good and enriching :) )
That's all from me this time!
Till next time!
See ya! :)
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