Discussion

Brad has asked us to discuss weaknesses and strengths of our blogging, how to resolve interpersonal conflicts and one other matter I can't remember.

This morning's lecture is boring!! (The one before ES2007S la)

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EDITED: Monetary Authority of Singapore

For the less hardworking people:

The department I am interested in is the Capital Markets Intermediaries Department. The department is responsible for the supervision of capital market intermediaries - including broker-dealers, fund managers, corporate finance advisors, financial advisors, insurance brokers and trust companies. People who are motivated, independent, and work well in a team are preferred. Other traits include confidence, analytical and strong interpersonal skills when dealing with demanding and challenging situations. The ability to work at the conceptual and operational levels is necessary to be an effective regulator.

MAS does not have a preference for certain disciplines, this is to build a diverse workforce that is multidisciplinary in nature. Applicants must have a genuine interest to build a career in MAS, and the applicant's adaptability, motivation and the training at MAS allow applicants to contribute positively to the organisation.

For the hardworking people: http://www.mas.org.sg/careers/looking_for/market_conduct_group.html

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_____________________________________________________________________

25 Prince George’s Park,
Residence 6, Block 30,
#07-05 S(118424)
kohwyhow@nus.edu.sg
+(65)84209460

2 September 2010

Human Resource Department,
Monetary Authority of Singapore,
10 Shenton Way, MAS Building,
Singapore 079117

Dear Sir/Madam,

Graduate Officer Programme

I am writing in response to the Graduate Officer Programme recruitment, which I came across on the MAS website. I have recently graduated with a BSc (Hons) Science with Mathematics.

From my enclosed CV, I have led sponsorship committees which require me to negotiate with corporate organisations to raise funds for school events, ranging from sports competitions to environmental campaigns. This experience has given me some exposure in working as a team, negotiating and leadership skills. As a result, I was elected the Marketing Executive of the 31st Sports Club Management Committee. My responsibility was to lead all marketing committees in 26 member clubs, and to avoid any conflicts of interest from taking place in any Sports Club events. I hope to enrich my experience regarding teamwork and leadership while working in MAS.

My most recent commitment, Sponsorship Director of ASEANpreneurs 2010, has allowed me to negotiate with foreign companies in South-East Asia for monetary sponsorship for our programme. The main objective of ASEANpreneurs was to promote entrepreneurship within ASEAN by exchange trips, conferences and competitions. ASEANpreneurs was different compared to my other CCAs as I had to analyse the background of private companies, then negotiate with foreign companies in return for region wide networking opportunities. I am strongly motivated by variety in my work, to motivate and challenge myself. I believe that MAS has varied opportunities for professional growth via job rotations, which I hope I can be part of.

Other than studying mathematics, I had the privilege of being part of the NUS Overseas College Programme in Bio Valley. I have no qualms about stepping into uncharted waters, & I hope to contribute to building a diverse and multidisciplinary workforce, which is one of the aims of MAS. The NOC programme has allowed me to learn to work in a fast paced environment, without compromising standards. The programme allowed me to study while interning at a start-up company, and this was different compared to the lectures on campus, as I have the exposure to a working environment and improved my soft skills, which I am also keen to improve while working in MAS.

With MAS, I would like to extend my knowledge and experience by joining the Capital Markets Department. I wish to apply the skills that I have, coupled with the training provided by MAS, in regulating corporate fundraising, takeovers and mergers. Other than that, I wish to gain experience in promoting the financial development of Singapore. I am driven to do my best in all my responsibilities, and willing to learn to work in new environments. This is what I hope I am able to contribute to MAS.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Koh Wyhow

EDITED: Busy Thursday

Now in ES2007S class, on a sunny Thursday, 2/9/2010. After this, PC1326 tutorial, conduct 2 interviews and a meeting tonight:)

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Updates

I've edited my first and second posts, as well as responded to the comments. Third post coming up!

It's been a super busy week.

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EDITED: Interpersonal Conflict

One of my former schoolmates, a Christian, has been approaching Buddhist students in an effort to convert them to Christians. I am not close to him, but I know that he has managed to persuade a few to convert to Christianity in my secondary school.

It was 12 February 2005. He approached me during recess, asking whether I believed in Jesus, I replied him, "Why do you ask?" He said, "Jesus died to save you." As the conversation continued, he asked me to join one of his church's events. I accepted the invitation, on a condition that he must attend one of the dharma talks organised by my temple. Then we sealed the deal, we would attend each other's event to "share" our religions.

My event was earlier than his. During the dharma talk at my temple, I was expecting him to show up, but he didn't. He texted that he was too busy, so I told him when the next dharma talk would be held. He never showed up for the next 2 talks, so my suspicion began to grow. At school, I reminded him about our deal. He said he was busy with his school work, but according to his classmates, he does not hand in assignments on time. As time flew by, he approached me several times, asking me reasons I find Buddhism interesting, while promoting his religion to me.

I confronted him that he was imposing, not sharing his religion. He did not keep his end of the bargain, and that was the last time I spoke to him. Since I've come to NUS, I've met another person in another faculty who's exactly like him. As that ugly episode comes back to haunt me, sometimes I wonder, how could I have handled that better?

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(I do not mean to offend any religion with this blog post. I am not an anti-Christian, but I am against those who impose their own religion towards other people. I believe everyone has the right to choose their own religion, and no one has the right to convert others to other religions, unless that choice is made voluntarily.)

EDITED: Effective Communication

Effective communication allows me to convey messages, such as negotiating with the private & public sectors for sponsorships. I need to present how we can reciprocate our sponsors. Any errors in this will result in renegotiation, reduction or withdrawal of sponsorships.

Communication allows me to lead my team of marketers effectively. We need to know what we can offer to external organisations, whether publicity or networking opportunities. I've had the privilege to work with the most hardworking and dedicated people, such as in TalentQuest 2010 and RunNUS 2010.

Other than that, effective communication plays an important role in interviews and presentations. I've just attended an interview for NOC Bio Valley last Thursday, I was asked: You are a helicopter pilot, and you'll be saving people from a sinking yacht. Rank the people that you plan to save; father, best friend, a pregnant prostitute, army general, surgeon, undergraduate, sportswoman, & 4 other people, plus reasons for the ranking. I chose to save the pregnant prostitute first. The interviewer asked why I prioritised the prostitute over my father, I replied the prostitute is pregnant. The interview went on for over an hour. I believed that the interviewers were looking at communication skills over my CAP.

During one of my trips I organised for the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association (SJBA) back in Malaysia, I befriended a manager working at an American bank. He advised, "Grades will get you the job interview, it's the communication skills that will get you the job." His reason was people who join CCAs gain soft skills that wouldn't be taught in lectures.

Effective communication is just one of the many important skills that I seek to continuously learn, as it has helped me to form new friendships, negotiate with external parties, as well as face interviews in university.

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