PDW Reflection

16 Oct 2023 - 20 Oct 2023 (Week 8)

Zetie Binti Bahaman / 0351297 / BDCM

Professional Development Week

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INSTRUCTIONS

We had a briefing on the registration process as well as the schedule for each workshop.

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REFLECTION

This week, we were advised to join several workshops to prepare ourselves for the industry and our future. Some were compulsory whereas some were up to us to choose which sparked our interest.

1. "Financial Literacy for Fresh Graduate” by ALLIANZ.

The session shared tips on handling our finances in our 20s. The speaker suggested we follow a 50/30/20 rule in our spending habits which allows us to plan our spending on our needs, wants and also an emergency cushion. However, as much as we try to save, we also need to enjoy our time while we’re young. However, I do want to emphasize that it’s also important that you pay your commitments on time, read your insurance policies, and try to pay your credit card's full statement balance before the due date. I don’t think having a credit card is bad like the speaker makes it out to be, as long as you use it wisely and always READ the fine print.

(124 words)

2. Keynote: “Career Readiness & Employability Success: 10 Quick Top Tips That Will Help Graduates Get Hired”

This session included career advancement tips and taking charge of our career growth. It was very insightful to learn the Rules of Work Life. When it comes to decision-making, I have to weigh our decision's pros, cons and implications in 10 minutes/months/years. What is urgent vs what is important to us?

During interviews, the best advice is to be ourselves and listen to the questions to understand before preparing our response. These are indicators of our future performance if they were to hire us. To a company, they want to know how we can add value.

The speaker also emphasizes that life should come before work. Anything can happen in the future and in the end, only your loved ones will matter.

(126 words)

Fig 1.0,1,1 Notes from MBSB Bank

3. “Succeeding in a Multi-Role Creative Media Industry” by WSVS STUDIO

The speaker was Taylor's alumnus in Interactive Multimedia and shared with us what it’s like working in production. In the industry, we may have to wear many different hats and change roles daily. However, having that one ‘IT’ thing we are good at as a backup plan is important. What we learn in university is only half of what we endure in the industry, in which we will work with clients. The end goal is to please them and submit the task.

In some cases, we have to educate the client and teach them how things work (in a polite manner) if they are unaware. Mindsets are important when dealing with any setbacks/challenges. Focus on being solution-oriented because putting in the extra effort will benefit me in the long run and make me proud to call it my project. The speaker’s last advice to us was to stay relevant by always having the passion to upskill and manoeuvre during challenges. As a final sem student, I should reflect and be sure of what I want to do after I graduate since time is valuable. 

(190 words)

4. "Best Practices in LinkedIn and Professional Online Etiquette" by PwC

This was a compulsory workshop for us to join. The speaker shared tips and tricks to improve our personal branding on LinkedIn and the importance of behaving professionally online. We always have to be wary of what we post on our social media accounts. In fact, we might even be evaluated from there so always pick the right profile picture and interact with potential employers online in a proper manner.

Although, I wished they had this webinar before my internship. However, I have already created my LinkedIn, and since I have completed my internship, this is useful for improving my profile on the platform.

(104 words)

Fig 1.2,1.3 Interview Tips

5. “The Storyteller and Super-Producer: Lessons from the Creative Media Industry” by C47 CREATIVE

The speaker was the first winner for Amazing Race Asia and she shared her background and work experiences. In the production industry, these are some guides of what they’re looking for in a staff. She advised us to just do our best work because we don’t know who's watching. She also shared that outspokenness will get us better out there in the industry. Be bold, and don’t be afraid to speak out and put ourselves out there.

I appreciate the keynotes and advice as she gave the exposure to what its like in the tv/film industry. However, at this point, I am pretty much oversaturated by all the speakers who have only been talking about production, which I guess benefitted the mass-comm students.

No offence to the organizer but this was so disappointing as I felt scammed from the creative media title. I expected a speaker from an agency perhaps, sharing what it's like during pitch season as they bid for clients or just from an animation studio.

(166 words)

Fig 1.4 Expectations when hiring

6. "Networking and Personal Branding" by THE WOLF TRAINER

There is a famous quote that goes "Your network is your net's worth." Hence, I joined this workshop to learn what networking is all about. The sharing session aims to educate us on how we can be more effective in our communication. The speaker gave us various scenarios/situations and looked at how different people have different perceptions. I've learnt to not look at networking as intimidating but instead look at it in as building connections around the world and exchanging knowledge and values. At the same time, we must try to connect with the person we’re speaking to. This is where body language plays a role, such as facial expressions, eye contact, and hand gestures. It’s always good to start networking within your existing circle as a start, especially if you're still starting out and then from there you will eventually link to other people outside your circle.

(148 words)

Fig 1.5,1.6 Screenshots of Sample Questions to Ask

Overall, despite some unfortunate experiences, it's been a beneficial week of new knowledge. I got some gist of what the working world expects from us fresh grads, and I will take the necessary advice and apply it accordingly in the future.