Blog Post #6: Biodata

I am currently a second year Chemical Engineering student in NUS. Besides studying, I have developed my leadership skills through my involvement in various CCAs. In junior college, I was the chief editor and chairperson of College Magazine and the class representative. In my 1st year at NUS, I was the publicity head of NUS Chemical and Environmental Engineering Students’ Society. Leading and serving my fellow peers inculcated in me a sense of responsibility and enabled me to forge friendships everywhere. Confident, friendly and dependable would usually be the first impression that I give others and my dedication speaks all.

Blog Post #5: Reflecting on the Research Report Experience

I had a very positive learning experience doing the research report because Gary and Zhi Lian were very cooperative and committed project partners. After this research report, I truly understand what it takes to achieve success in teamwork.

Firstly I believe the most important factor in deciding whether a project will be successful is how responsible a role each team member plays. For example, after each meeting, we would split up the work and decide who would do which part. If each of us had not been a good team player, our project would have failed.

Secondly clear communication between team members is very important. Outside of class, we had to meet up to finish any additional work. We maintained contact through smses, msn messenger and face-to-face meetings. Sometimes it was necessary to clarify our doubts when working on the project and discussion helped us a lot.

Thirdly I believe it is necessary for team members to assume the role of leader or follower for the project to carry on seamlessly. For example in the beginning, Gary took charge a lot and decided on the date, time and venue of our project meetings. So he played the role of the leader and Zhi Lian and I followed.

Towards the end, Zhi Lian took charge of compiling the research report while Gary and I contributed our parts. So Zhi Lian played the role of the leader while Gary and I were followers. In a team, you cannot have 2 leaders simultaneously or people will quarrel or get confused about the direction of the project. Someone must also be the follower to ensure that the work gets done.

In our project, we interchanged the role of leader and follower a few times so that no one would be the leader for too long and get exhausted.

Lastly I believe building good interpersonal relationships are essential for successful teamwork. For example during the week when I had 3 midterm tests, Gary and Zhi Lian were understanding enough to give me less work and let me study. I reciprocated the favour when Gary had his midterm test by doing some of his work. If we had refused to help each other out and insisted that everyone contribute fairly, we would have been stressed out, bad-tempered and probably produce poor quality work.