I was being asked what was important to me in an interview
many years ago. I said to the interviewer, it was the money. I was only a 15
years old girl at that time, and all I wished was to have enough money to go
out of my comfort zone to experience a different world as to where I was born.
My answer seemed to appeal to the interviewers’ taste, and then I had the
offer. When I recall back this interview experience, I think I had successfully
conveyed the message to the interviewers that I was a girl with a clear target.
Fortunately, they were looking for some students of that kind.
That was the first time I tasted the fruit of effective
communication.
Many years passed. Now I am already a junior student in the
university. Like many other university students, I always think about my
future, such as how will I survive in this competitive world? No matter who I have sought for the answer, there
are always two very important points, which are skills and communication.
Skills can prevent me from being hungry, but communication can lead me to have
what you want.
If the fan in my hostel room is turning too slowly, and I
make a simple request to the management office, there is always a chance that
the office staff pending my request forever. However, if I do a concrete write
up to clearly explain my need for a new fan, the chance for me to get a new one
will be greatly increased. Nowadays, everybody is busy with things, and no one
is really willing to spend time to understand others. If I am not able to
express myself, my opinions clearly, I will not get my request resolved, even a
very small one, like changing the fan in my room.
Moreover, I am alone in a foreign country, and I need to
build up my network connection by my own. These connections will be a big fortune
to my future career and life. That is why I need to communicate. An effective
communication will pave my road to success.
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ReplyDeleteHi Zhuang Wei,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you have started your post ! Your example is really interesting but I have one question. Are you really sure that it was the first time you tasted the fruit of effective communication ? For example, remember when you were a baby ! When you cried because you were hungry, I am sure that your mother understood your message ! Don't you taste the fruit of effective communication in this case ?
Furthermore, I notice that a lot of students have the same concerns : competition, future, network, success... I totally agree with the fact that effective communication is a good way for having what we want.
So, let's improve our professional communication skills !
It is really a late reply. But I read the comments first minute that you guys posted, since my cell phone was linked to the blog. Anyway, Maxime, you never fail in giving me insightful comment. Thx, about the when is the first time I tasted the fruit of effective communication, it depends how do we define our 'fruit' in here.Well, I define it as a kind of success in my life. :-)
DeleteHi Zhuang Wei! It must have been tough initially getting used to the new environment in Singapore, but I believe you are a girl with strong will-power such that issues like communication can be overcome. It is pleasant to read your post as it offers me the perspective of a foreign student. Just I like you, I have the same concerns with regards to my future, but I am sure we will take things one at a time and try our best to remove obstacles coming up.
ReplyDeleteYes, quite difficult in the first year. However, after a while, I find myself more comfortable in living in Singapore. I know that you are taking care of my country mates who are going to be the freshmen next year in NUS. I hope my previous situation will enlighten you somehow in mentoring them. thanks
Delete"Skills can prevent me from being hungry, but communication can lead me to have what I want." Your experience in finding this answer made me smile. I do strongly agree to it, because I have seen for myself that people who can persuade others tend to be successful. However, I think that true sincerity is also very important, because without it, we cannot inspire trust in others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. For what I mean is that skills are important, but they are all base on the foundation of sincerity.
DeleteHi Zhuang Wei ! I completely agreed your saying; "If I am not able to express myself, my opinions clearly, I will not get my request resolved, even a very small one, like changing the fan in my room.".
ReplyDeleteI have a similar experience, that is, I claimed to the clerk in convenience store about defective, however, she didn't understand what i said. So I gave up claiming and came back to home. After then, I was really depressed because I couldn't convey what I needed exactly.
As you know, it is very hard for me to communicate with other people in English. After reading your post, however, I could recognize that I should practice to communicate with others well.
Thank you and see you class ^-^
Wow, thank you. I do not feel that you can not express yourself well in English. You are great, and most of us can catch what you are trying to say. :-)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Zhuang Wei, for this interesting and insightful post. Like others, I appreciate the way you began this with a clear anecdote which illustrates how even as a young girl you became aware of the value of effective comm skills. You further detail that with a discussion of your more recent situation. In short, you clearly and concisely explain why such skills are really important for you with concrete examples.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few areas of language you need to consider:
1) When I recall back this interview... >>> When I recall this interview...
2) Like many other university students, I always think about my future, such as how will I survive in this competitive world? >>>
Like many other university students, I always think about my future, such as how I will survive in this competitive world. (It's not a question but a noun clause.)
3) Skills can prevent me from being hungry, but communication can lead me to have what you want. >>>
Technical skills (?) can prevent me from being hungry, but communication skills can lead me to have what I want. (This is really about tech versus communication skills, right?)
4) pending >>> will contemplate
6) An effective >>> Effective
5) by my own. >>> by myself
I look forward to reading more of your ideas.