My Sunway memories - Science in Action Research Project

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

[This post has been written since Nov 2017 but have been sitting in my drafts for too long, so I finishing it now]

I always write on Twitter about how much I miss doing this project but this memory of mine deserve a special post because it is an once in a lifetime experience. I want to remember this experience and read it whenever life is hard.

The important decision

Actually, taking this subject was not in my plan. My plan was to take another subject which was a requisite for me to graduate. However, suddenly I was exempted to take that subject because I already took a subject similar to that one. Thus, I was left with a choice to take any subject of my choice. Some of my seniors said the subject was hard as you need to manage your time wisely. You will be so busy as you need to go to the lab and rushed to your class, which also required you to go to the lab. You will have tons of assignments to do for other subjects and you need to write a thesis. Despite all the reasons above, I chose to just do it. And it turned out to be the best decision I've ever made in my life.

My supervisors

Before I enroll in the subject, I need to find a supervisor first. I went through the list of projects and supervisors available, the one I was interested in the most was about natural products and the SV was Dr. Emily. I emailed her few days before enrolling date was due, yet she agreed to be my SV. My second supervisor was Dr. Chew from another university. This project was an add on for her PhD thesis, so mainly she's the one who monitored me.

My mentor: Kak Ming

When the semester started, I went to meet her and discussed about the project in details. Basically it was about how this particular part of a plant can kill a superbug bacteria which was MRSA. After the discussion, she said I will be guided by her PhD student, Kak Ming. At first I thought he was a girl because of the word Kak but he's a guy. The most kindest, smartest, organized and helpful student I've ever met in Monash. He taught me A - Z, from doing lab works, writing and to presenting. He came and support me and Ailee during our presentation too. He's just the best. As for now in 2021, he already graduated from PhD and work at R&D company in Singapore. He's just so amazing and I'm definitely most grateful he was my mentor.

Rushing lab sessions

Taking research project for Science subject means endless laboratory session. I still remember using the machines I only learn theoretically but not using them in normal class. The freeze dried machine, SEM, incubator, sterilizing machines and even the freezer room was so exciting. On top of all these, I have to go to lab for classes, then rush to lab for project and then for lectures, for assignment and after 6pm I work part time at library. When I write this, it makes me wonder, how I did that actually hahaha.

Presentation

Writing and researching were not so difficult as presenting. I have anxiety and lack of confidence whenever I have to present so this one was a tough one. The presentation was done in conference room and attended by many. A few days before presenting, we got to know the lecturers who will be judging us and mine were the kind but very strict lecturers. Here's when the anxiety started to kick in. We have to make our own presentation slides. For me this one was a little bit hard because I have to put all the information in short but concise for people to understand. On the presentation day, Kak Ming came to support me and Ailee. It meant so much that he supported both of us. My supervisors also came on that day. The presentation was good. Of course I wish I did better but it was all good.

Thesis

It's not the end yettt! I still have to finish my thesis after the presentation. And I also have exams coming 2 days after submission. I struggled so much at this time. I even slept at library to study until 2am. And I still have to work at night in library. Everything was so intense at that time. Fortunately, I manage to submit my thesis on time, alhamdulillah. Then I got to focus on back to back exams and again alhamdulillah, I passed all papers. The most wonderful part was I got High Distinction for my thesis.

Monash Science Symposium

After finishing our final exams, Monash Postgraduate team arranged an event called Monash Science Symposium. It was a conference attended by Science students all over Malaysia to present their research papers. My supervisors suggested me and Ailee to attend this event so I participate in poster presentation. They also provided us with amazing food (Monash was the best for this). It was a great event to expose us to research world. And, it was in this event to that I realized, this was not what I wanted to do. Maybe I love doing research, maybe I have the skills, but it's not something I want to in years to come.

BASF Volunteers

During end of year, the BASF company collaborate with Monash Uni for the staffs' kids. It was called BASF Kids' Lab. This program was done to expose the kids with scientific experiments. As Kak Ming was one of the committee, he invited me and Ailee to join this program. While being volunteer, we too get to learn all the exciting experiments and know the postgraduates students in our school. Again my favourite part was the nice foooddd.

Publication

After finishing the research project, Dr. Chew suggested that we send our research paper to be published. It was a long process actually, but alhamdulillah on 2018, it was finally published. I felt so grateful for everyone who helped in making this to happen, especially Dr. Chew. You guys can check the paper here.

This experience was one of the best Monash memories thus it's the reason why I wrote it in one separate entry. Sometimes best experience in life is the one that you decide randomly. I was in between failing or success but the risks taken were very worthy. And it's something I will always bring with me forever. Although I didn't pursue my career in research field, it was and will always be something I love doing. One day I might go back there in different field, maybe not now but someday I will. Most importantly, the skills I have gained during those time are still useful until today.

Read more about my life in Sunway during foundation and degree here

Till then,

Adlina.

My interview experiences part 2 - For people with experiences

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

So here come part 2 of my interview experiences after 3 years of working. You can read part 1 here. I separated these two posts because I think interviews for fresh grads and experienced people are quite different. 

After some time of working, I believe it's time for me to advance in my career to gain more knowledge and grow. I started applying jobs on LinkedIn and Jobstreet everyday. Around 3 weeks later, I receive few numbers of call, and 2 arranged online interviews for me.

1. Order management Officer - Company L - FAILED
   This company a large MNC company specialized in chemical products. When I applied for this job, I knew it is an extended version of my current job. My current job now specialized in order processing and complaint management. The systems we are using are also the same. However, the job I was applying required a lot of documentation because they dealt with import and export while now my clients are local clients. I think I didn't get the job because they wanted someone who have experiences dealing with these documents. Also maybe I was not convincing enough I can handle the documents.
   
   
2. Telesales/Telemarketer - Company H again - PASSED
   After more than 2 years leaving company H, suddenly I receive a call from this company for this position. I applied because the job description was similar to mine but need additional task which are doing sales. The keyword here was sales as the KPI will focus on sales. The interview was very good, it was a two way communication and I really enjoyed it. I just hope the company believes I can do telesales and hire me.
   
   And alhamdulillah right after I finish writing this post they called me to tell that I succeeded!!

From these two experiences, I notice the pattern for interviews questions for experienced people are pretty similar:         

1. Firstly they will ask you to introduce yourself and explained about your current job.
2. Then, the interviewers will ask why you want apply for this job and you need to know the reasons to shift from your current job to next one (growth, learn new skills and etc) 
3. Ask questions that will lead to 2 ways communication - I ask same questions during both interviews which are: describe the team I'll be working with and how they handle Covid19 crisis.
4. The interviews are mostly discussion on how you can contribute for the job you're applying with the experience that you have. You have to know how to relate these two well for them to trust you can do well for this position.
5. For interviews with fresh grads they will ask more on yourself and accomplishment in university but now they wil ask what you can do with the skills your have gained from your experiences.
6. Lastly, doa and tawakal because you have do the best. Whether you get this job or not, you already have your work now and you can always try again :)

Hope this will help and all the best to us! I'll be starting my new job end of July, please pray for me!

Read part 1 here

Till then, 

Adlina

My interview experiences part 1 - For fresh graduate

Assalamualaikum and Hi,

[This will be a super long post and I will only publish it once I got a job - if you're reading this alhamdulillah I already get a job! - and by the time this was published, it has been 3 years since I started working]

Written starting from 26/03/2018 until today

I want to share about a lifetime experience I've had. Failing interviews, or failures (I never had any major failure before). To be honest, I've never been in real interviews before I graduate, and the only experience I have is mock interview in school which is like 5 years ago. Furthermore, I just think of taking a rest after a long freaking 14 years of exams and stuffs. After a few months I finished my studies, I immediately make a resume, create a profile on JobStreet and LinkedIn and start applying for jobs. These two are the best platform for job hunting. I applied for 400++ positions and receive around more than 10 invitations. But nothing can beat career fair so far. I got quite many interview invitations, which means my resume is fine. The main problem here is my interviews. I have issues with interviews mainly because I get nervous easily, I didn't know how to talk about myself and probably I'm not sure of what I want.

1. Underwriter - Company A - FAILED
   I still remember the day I went to this interview. My very first interview. This company is located in the middle of KL near Bukit Bintang. I went there by LRT and then took Grab. When I first entered the company I was amazed because the building was quite big. As a girl coming from Kedah and never saw high tech stuffs, I'm amazed to see the security was very tight, just to enter building need to verify a lot of things.
   
   Upon arrival, I was given a questions to answer, basically about medical and insurance stuffs. It's quite easy but confusing. The job description showed that this job need someone who worked really work under HIGH pressure, so when the interview emphasized on this, I became scared so it didn't show on my face that I was able to do that. And so I failed.
   
   
2. Business Analyst - Company B - FAILED
   For this position, they need someone who have 5 years experience but I didn't know why they call me. And the only reason I went for the interview because I got the invitation at the same time with job 1. The office was nice, the job was good but I didn't show much confidence at that time. Thus, I didn't receive the offer.
   
   
3. Product Specialist - Company C - FAILED
   When I applied for this position, I don't really know what it does but I just said to myself just give it a try but I know it was a company selling medical supplies. During interview I just realized it's just another fancy name for professional sales person.  And I'm not good in sales at all! The interviewer asked basic questions and then he asked me to do a demonstration on how to sell the products to people. At this part I went blank already! So good bye to this one 😂
   
   
4. Trainee Embryologist - Hospital D - FAILED
   This job is located at the hospital in one of my favourite city. I understand the job nature. The interview was very smooth and just fine. I was really excited because the interviewers said they will send the staff for this job to Vietnam for training for about 6 months. I think what makes me failed this interview was my body language showed I don't really favour working on weekends and public holidays. Two week after the interview, the hospital revert back to me with tthe results.
   
   
5. Research Assistant - Company E - FAILED
   This interview was the weirdest one. The call interview and email invitation were okay. They said they collaborate with government to work on textbook syllabus for Biology and Anatomy. When I went for the interview, the company located in a studio apartment. Then they asked me to answer anatomy related test before briefly interviewed me. They didn't ask anything related to me but just explained the job desription. That's kind of weird to me. After the interview, I emailed them for follow up and they said they will update me after two weeks. Two weeks later, I emailed them again but they said they were busy moving to their new office. After one week, their email no longer valid. Until now, I think they were scammers but I never knew their reasons. This was my last interview in 2017 and I stopped attending interviews for a while.
   
   
6. Medical Underwriter - Company F- FAILED
   This is a position in one of the top insurance company in Malaysia. Since I went to interview 1, I think I will be able to survive this one. The interviewers looked a lil bit strict, but they were okay. However, when they ask about handling stress and weakness, I got nervous and cried. The interviewers were surprise and they end up giving me advices instead of asking me questions. I got a free counselling session instead. And we all know I didn't get the job.
   
   
7. Administration and Diplomatic Officer - Government - FAILED
   This one is the hottest job for government . Almost 200k people applied for this job when it's open every year. But only 400 will make it to the final stage. The stage consists of - online test, fitness test, group interview and finally the individual interview. 
   
   The online tests consist of General Knowledge test and Psychometric test. For General Knowledge test, you need to Google at fast speed while Psychometric test you need to think critically because most of the questions are not logic haha jkjk. I cannot really remember about the physical test, but they were like the one we had back in high school. And the last one is group interview - writing, speaking test and group discussion. I only make it to the group interview and failed at that stage. 
   
   
8. Temporary Teacher - School G - PASSED
   I went to this interview after physical test for 7. There was a vacancy at my primary school and they need replacement ASAP. It was a quick one and I was inform to start a week later.
   
   
9. SL1M Trainee - Company H - PASSED
   Back then when Covid19 didn't exist, there was a thing called Career fair. I went to SL1M Career fair held in Alor Setar. I handed my resume to many companies but none called for on the spot interviews. So I went back just like that. When I was half way back home, Company H called me for interview. But I declined because I almost reached home. After the call, my mom asked who called me? I told her I declined the interview and she was mad because I turned down the opportunity. She asked me to call company H and told them I will go to the interview.
   
   Alhamdulillah, I was offered to be one of the SLIM trainee. Thank God I listened to my mom. If I didn't, I let go one of the best opportunities in my life. I have grow a lot from being a SL1M trainee and many opportunities I received are from there.
   
   
10. Executive, Validation - Still Company H  - FAILED
    After almost a year working as SL1M trainee in company H, they invite me for interview to absorb me permanently. I thought the interview will be easy because I work in that department already but I was wrong. It wasn't. I was speechless most of the time and I didn't feel the connection with me and interviewers. I was not confident and my answers were just safe answers. So I failed the interview.
    
    When I looked back, the reason I failed was not because I was nervous. I am very determined and harworking person but I didn't have passion in that field. And it showed through my eyes and answers.
    
    Quick tips: If you don't feel any chemistry/2 ways communication with interviewers, most likely you will fail
    
    
11. Regulatory Affairs Specialist - Company I - FAILED
    Towards the end of my SL1M days, I started looking for permanent jobs. So this one, I received a phone call from recruitment agency for this position. Then I went to their office for interview. I came all the way from Klang to PJ, but the interview was only for 5 minutes. I know some recruitment agencies just call people for interviews to reach their KPI, and I guess this one was included too.
    
    
12. Customer Service Specialist - Company J - PASSED
    For this one, I went to a career fair in Mid Valley. I listed down all the companies I wanted to send my resume. After going through all the companies, Company J was the last one on my list to submit resume. My friends were already tired and wanted to go back. So I told them to go first because I wanted to approach company J. I spoke to HR and then he suggested me CS deparment. He brought me to a lady (who then became my boss) and we spoke about what her department do. Although the job title was Customer Service, the job was actually more on order processing and complaint management (p/s: job description is wayy more important than the title). I gave her my resume and she said she will contact me within 2 weeks.
    
    After 2 weeks, she still doesn't contact me. I was worried because I really really want to work there. So I opened LinkedIn, looked for the HR and write to her. She asked me to submit my resume and then she called me the day after to go for interview. 
    
    On the interview day, when I went to Company J, I was impressed because the office was so modern and beautiful. I came an hour earlier, and they just finished interview a candidate so they decided to start my session earlier. They ask basic question like other companies asked but I could answer smoothly. What convinced them to hire me was because my effort to approach and follow up with them. That showed my determination. Because for this job, it's easy to hire people, but it's hard to make them stay.
    
    A week later, I received the offer and that's where I work from April 2019 until now [but I already resigned and my last is on 21st July 2021]
    
    
13. Medical Lab Technologist - Hospital K - FAILED
    I went to this interview after 2 days interview with company J. I already give up on Medical Lab Technologist job because I know it was underpaid and you have to work on weekends & public holidays. But I just went to the interview for the sake of experience.
    
    The interview was okay but when it came to the salary, I said I requested for RM2XXX, but she said it was to high and then I don't have experience in medical lab. I told her I have experienced doing internship at medical lab and my SL1M training also I work in chemical lab. She said it was not enough to request that much. 
    
    So I told this capitalist hospital, minimum amount for a degree graduate with no experiences should be at least RM2XXX. Other interviews I went will offer at least that much. She was speechless when I said that but of course I didn't get the job after saying such things.
    

From all these interviews, I notice the patttern for interviews questions for experienced people are pretty similar:         

1. Firstly they will ask you to introduce yourself and explained about your background.
2. Then, the interviews will ask what do you know about us or why you apply for this job because they wanted to know have you did your research on the company and the job.
3. The interviews will ask a lot about yourself like your weakness, strengh, achievement and etc because they want to see if your personalities can fit into the work.
4. Do ask a lot of questions. It will help to create 2 way communications and show that you are interested. You can ask questions like can you tell more about the team I'll be working with and the company culture or what are your expectations towards new staffs?
5. Lastly, doa and tawakal because you have do the best. Whether you get this job or not, you already have your work now and you can always try again :)

Each time I failed, it ended up with me crying in bed all night. It hurts a lot to think you've done your best but still it is not enough. Sometimes I think I'm very useless. And when you see everyone has started their careers but you're the only one left behind, of course you feel happy for them, but at the same time, there is pain in your heart knowing your future is uncertain.

God is fair, He is just testing us. After having a very smooth path all these while, this failure is just to test my faith. To let me wait. To let me be patience. To let me discover everything I never imagined.

"What has reached you was never meant to miss you and what has missed you was never meant to reach you." Prophet Muhammad pbuh

P/S - I'm writing this 3 years later, already for working 3 years++. . You will get there sooner or later. Things that make me worried before has doesn't really matter anymore. In fact, I believe that Allah has carved my path according to what I need and not what I want.

When I looked back, I was really frustrated when I have to go through all this. But now I feel really grateful for being able to experience many different interviews.

To myself, you have walked this far, and I'm so proud of you. We already did it and we will always do our best. No matter what happen, just give your best and never give up.

Read part 2 here

Till then,

Adlina

My biggest regrets

 Assalamualaikum and Hi,

I'm not sure if I should write about this here, but this is the space for me to rant so why not right? Everyone have their regrets in life, so do I. Everything in life happed for a reason but there are things we wish we can change (we can't anyway). I have 3 regrets which I want to share for me to remember and improve myself, any maybe anyone can take this advise to stop making mistakes like I did,

p/s: This is so embarrassing but I really need to write it here 

1. Focus on loving someone but myself

Back when I was young, I focus way too much on love/girl-guy relationship. Although I have a boyfriend later on in my teenage years, my younger days since standard 6 until Form 5 was filled with the idea of loving someone and finding the one. During those years, getting married at young age was a thing and it went viral so I put that on my wish list (HAHA I feel so stupid while writing this). I read back my diary back in high school and mostly I wrote about this guy that I like for 5 years. I should focus on writing more on myself, my life in MRSM and life growth instead. Then after high school I was in relationship with this one guy that I thought going to be the love of my life (LOML). My focus was to finish my studies and be with him. In the end I end up being tested with waiting for him to finish his studies for 3 years but end up he left me for someone he met in his uni. And worst, I spend almost a year recovering from the pain of breaking up. All these years, 13 years to be exact, my heart and mind was filled with the idea of loving someone but myself. These guys never stopped me from chasing my dreams and be a better person, but I did. All other dreams, all the improvement I should made were blinded by the idea of loving someone and someone will love me for who I am. 

I only realize this when I was brokenhearted. When no one else love me except me. When my heart can't love anyone else but me. No one can be blame on this but me. There are a lot of things I can do if I focus on loving myself instead of guys. A lot. At the end of 25 years old only I realize that the only person who can make me happy is me. I can do a lot of things, learn new skills and improve myself a lot just within a year. Imagine if I use the years I wasted wisely? 

Invest in yourself. Be the better version you, the best that you can be, beyond your imagination. One day the right person will come when I love myself and  happy with my own lifes. When? I'm not sure. But someday he will. And if he didn't, my life is already filled with the purpose, love and happiness that I have on my own.

2. Didn't plan the future wisely

When I was 17, my exam result were very excellent and I'm able to apply for scholarship. When I choosing the uni and course, I choose based on 3 things; the duration, the place and the course. Why? Because I wanted to finish fast (to get married young), go abroad and learn Science. I didn't completely regret it. 

But if I could make a better decision; I will choose a course I'm passionate at with better job prospects. I wish I do research more on what I'm going to choose, study the job market and ask opinions from people with experience. My choice is not bad, but it limits certain things that I wanted. Nevertheless, my uni days were one of the best despite the regrets that I have. For SPM leavers, good luck in choosing the course you will further your studies. Choose wisely!

Anyway, in life there are some best things happened unplanned but, things like this, do plan it wisely :)

3. Leave the house too soon.

I had my best time in MRSM, I really did. It made me become the person I am today. It's just if I were given an option again, I will go there when I was 16. I think 13 years old is very young to be apart from family. I became quite distance with my family when I went to boarding school and missed a lot of important event. 

After I finish boarding school, I went to uni straight away, thus there's no time with family. Once I finished my studies, I was unemployed for 1 year. At that time, I realize what I have lost. So I spend my time wisely with them. After I started working, I always go back during holidays, even the short ones to see them. When Covid19 came, the company I work with start to work from home. I decided to go back to my hometown and stay with them. 

And I never regret my decision. I managed to get back what I lost. I love my family more when I'm older. But still, that's something I wish I did when I was younger.

Of course at the end of the day, life will always be okay! If we make wrong choices, we learn from them and it will become our greatest life lessons. This post is just for me to express what I feel and if somebody comes across this, it might help them.

I guess that's all for now, thanks for reading. Take care and stay safe :)

Till then,

Adlina