Monday, December 26, 2005
Merry Christmas! *pant pant pant*
Well, I know it's kinda late, but you know Christmas is a super busy time and all, what with all the gift buying and wrapping, and parties and seeing relatives I don't see for ages....so I apologize for the lateness, but Merry Christmas! Isn't Sassy just a cutie?
Friday, December 23, 2005
Bleehhh....
Me tired. Working.... at uni everyday. Also.... doing volunteer work for WWF... some tiger conservation stuff.... organizing data from camera trap photos.... Christmas in three days... me going carolling every night from wednesday to friday.... have to go all over the place... come home around midnight.... next day go work again..... no time to do Christmas shopping... Wonder if I should do last minute shopping?... Also dunno what to buy... Next week me going to Singapore for holiday... need to arrange transport... and accommodation... and plan where to go in Singapore... and save money for trip to Singapore.... So braindead.... Must sleep now.... Bleh..... *_*
Monday, December 12, 2005
Carol's first job interview!
I've just been reading about the latest case (which actually happened a while ago in November) about this kid called Khairul Anuar Salim, who was attacked by two hooligans when he tried to stop them from teasing a girl. The hooligans don't piss me off half as much as the hospital to which the kid was sent to. The deposit for the treatment was RM5000, and as it was, the family of the boy didn't have enough money for the deposit at the time, even though they actually could afford it. The hospital people said they wouldn't pay til they got the money, and as a result, the kid died when they started treating him too late. Well, I've already blogged about a similar scenario before, so I won't waste anymore web space on the same ol' complaints. I just hope now the government will live up to their word and revoke the hospital's license for not giving the emergency treatment. I also just sent my opinion to the editors of the Star and the Sun, suggesting that the government set up a healthcare system like Australia's Medicare system. I guess lambasting the hospitals isn't going to help much, but pushing for a change in the healthcare system might!
Anyway, in other news, I just went for my very first job interview last Thursday at a biotech company called Nimura Genetic Solutions based in FRIM. Basically, they extract bioactive compounds from soil microorganisms and plants. And work there involves being stuck in a lab all day, although there is the occasionally romp in the forest to collect soil samples. Nevertheless, it is not a job I'm dying to get. But they were the only company so far to call me in for a real job interview, and it doesn't hurt to find out what they have to offer.
As it turns out, there were quite a number of other people there who were asked in for the interview for two vacancies. Apparently there was a newspaper ad, which I didn't know about. I just sent in an open application coz' my uncle suggested this company. So there I was, in a big conference room with about nine other hopefuls, being grilled by this Japanese-looking guy who didn't say a word, and Chinese lady who did all the talking. Fortunately, I wasn't nervous at all, thanks to much experience in public performances and doing presentations. They only asked a few questions for all of us to answer. First question was "Introduce yourself". And man, I tell you, some of the applicants can really drone on and on about themselves and their life achievements. Some of the people there were also quite experienced, having done their masters and stuff, while only I and another girl were fresh graduates without even honours. So the only things I could expound on were my exemplary grades in uni, and my work experience in a biotech company for my industrial training, and my current part-time RA work with my lecturer.
The next question they asked was "What do you know about our company?". I maintained my poker smiley face, but in my head I was thinking "Oooohhhhhh, crap!". The first guy who answered did not help my confidence. He went on to give the whole history of the company, from when it was established, who worked there, and other stuff he ripped off the company website. Man, he really did his homework. All I could say was that the company did extractions of bioactive compounds from microorganisms and plants. I guess that didn't go down well with the interviewers.
The next question they asked wasn't much better. "Tell us about your honours or masters project". Again, the more experienced applicants went blabbering on for ages about their projects. All I could say was that I hadn't done any projects, but I have some work experience. Bleh.
From then on, I think the interviewers weren't too interested in me anymore coz' they asked everyone else one last question, except for me! They even asked the other fresh grad who had no work experience even, so I'm like "Hmm...did they forget me or something?".
Anyway, they should contact me within the next couple of weeks to let me know whether or not I've been shortlisted. I doubt that I have. In any case, I'm not gonna be too freaked about it. I had also applied to WWF, and even though they said they have no paid positions locally, they do have available positions in Melaka working in Hawksbill turtle conservation. That involves working with an animal, AND working in a marine environment, both of which I love, so I think I will probably go for that! I need to find out more about the job and the salary and all that crap though. I hope the pay's not too pathetic, or else my dad will not be too approving. Must start a praying!
Anyway, I'm still glad I went for that interview, coz' at least now I have some experience on what a job interview is like. Next time, I must do more research on the company who's interviewing me! And I gotta learn to sell myself more and really highlight the good stuff about me that will be useful to the company. Other than that, I'm glad I didn't choke when I spoke. One guy there seemed pretty nervous, even though he had a masters and all. Ah well, it was a good experience. :)
Anyway, in other news, I just went for my very first job interview last Thursday at a biotech company called Nimura Genetic Solutions based in FRIM. Basically, they extract bioactive compounds from soil microorganisms and plants. And work there involves being stuck in a lab all day, although there is the occasionally romp in the forest to collect soil samples. Nevertheless, it is not a job I'm dying to get. But they were the only company so far to call me in for a real job interview, and it doesn't hurt to find out what they have to offer.
As it turns out, there were quite a number of other people there who were asked in for the interview for two vacancies. Apparently there was a newspaper ad, which I didn't know about. I just sent in an open application coz' my uncle suggested this company. So there I was, in a big conference room with about nine other hopefuls, being grilled by this Japanese-looking guy who didn't say a word, and Chinese lady who did all the talking. Fortunately, I wasn't nervous at all, thanks to much experience in public performances and doing presentations. They only asked a few questions for all of us to answer. First question was "Introduce yourself". And man, I tell you, some of the applicants can really drone on and on about themselves and their life achievements. Some of the people there were also quite experienced, having done their masters and stuff, while only I and another girl were fresh graduates without even honours. So the only things I could expound on were my exemplary grades in uni, and my work experience in a biotech company for my industrial training, and my current part-time RA work with my lecturer.
The next question they asked was "What do you know about our company?". I maintained my poker smiley face, but in my head I was thinking "Oooohhhhhh, crap!". The first guy who answered did not help my confidence. He went on to give the whole history of the company, from when it was established, who worked there, and other stuff he ripped off the company website. Man, he really did his homework. All I could say was that the company did extractions of bioactive compounds from microorganisms and plants. I guess that didn't go down well with the interviewers.
The next question they asked wasn't much better. "Tell us about your honours or masters project". Again, the more experienced applicants went blabbering on for ages about their projects. All I could say was that I hadn't done any projects, but I have some work experience. Bleh.
From then on, I think the interviewers weren't too interested in me anymore coz' they asked everyone else one last question, except for me! They even asked the other fresh grad who had no work experience even, so I'm like "Hmm...did they forget me or something?".
Anyway, they should contact me within the next couple of weeks to let me know whether or not I've been shortlisted. I doubt that I have. In any case, I'm not gonna be too freaked about it. I had also applied to WWF, and even though they said they have no paid positions locally, they do have available positions in Melaka working in Hawksbill turtle conservation. That involves working with an animal, AND working in a marine environment, both of which I love, so I think I will probably go for that! I need to find out more about the job and the salary and all that crap though. I hope the pay's not too pathetic, or else my dad will not be too approving. Must start a praying!
Anyway, I'm still glad I went for that interview, coz' at least now I have some experience on what a job interview is like. Next time, I must do more research on the company who's interviewing me! And I gotta learn to sell myself more and really highlight the good stuff about me that will be useful to the company. Other than that, I'm glad I didn't choke when I spoke. One guy there seemed pretty nervous, even though he had a masters and all. Ah well, it was a good experience. :)
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