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Saturday, February 14, 2009 12:38 am

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Hey hey.. It has been a long while since I’ve updated, so… Thank you to all those who remained loyal and constantly viewed my page to see (by luck) if there’s any updates!
Maybe I’ll just start by explaining why, for such a long period of time, I’ve not updated my blog. Well, I got myself a temp job at the start of 2009 and hence, didn’t have that much time to update my blog
I’ll begin by telling you all how on earth I landed myself the job. The job agency called and informed me that there’s this job offering at $6 (which is under my expectation) and it seems like an interesting job. I accepted it, thinking no harm going for an extra interview.

So the next day, I went to this super impressive looking company and had the interview. During the interview, I was told that my job responsibilities would include liaising with various companies and organizations, marketing the various company events, blah blah blah ... When I revealed that my interest is in political science, the interviewer (director/boss) even mentioned that I’ll get to contact with CEOs, MDs, COO, Directors, GM and even manager and this job will give lots of exposure. The interview ended after some 30 minutes and I was told to wait a few days as they have other choices for consideration.

I left the building and proceeded back home. On the MRT station, I suddenly received this call from my agent (Darren) that I got this job. I was so surprised when I was told of the news as I had expected the news some 2, 3 days later, instead of like 5 minutes later from the interview? Anyway, I accepted the job after listening to the various exciting description by the interviewer and I was tasked to start work right after the New Year holiday, which is the 2nd of Jan.

So, the company that employed me is called the Singapore Business Federation. It is an organization which functions like a governmental agency/ non-profit organizations, and what it basically does is organize events for the benefit of the business community in Singapore. As what its website and my boss always say, “The Singapore Business Federation is the apex business chamber that champions the interests of the Singapore business community in trade, investment and industrial relations. It represents more than 15,000 companies as well as the local and foreign business chambers and key national and industry associations from business sectors that contribute significantly to the Singapore economy. Nationally, SBF acts as the bridge between the government and the businesses in Singapore to create and enhance a conducive business environment. Internationally, SBF represents the business community in bilateral, regional, multilateral fora for the purpose of promoting trade expansion and business networking…” …Boring stuff…

Anyway, I went into this company and entered the Industry Development Department as Temp Marketing Assistant. I was so shocked on my first day to find out that there were only 3 people in my department. My boss, my colleague and me. What’s more, my colleague himself is also a temp staff. I was thinking at the back of my mind how this department survived with only temp staff. Then, I asked my colleague, “Is there more to our department?” He replied, “Our department is considered big.. There’s a department which consist of only the director himself.” I was like…haha. Who would have expected that the notable SBF only has such small pool of employees under their ostentatious facade? I felt so cheated. How come the director (My Boss) is able to speak of SBF till it sounds so great?

With that mindset, I started working. The most immediate project our department had was the Launch of SBF-TP Clean Energy Testbedding Community with “Updates on Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City & Clean Energy Solutions for Urban and Ecocity Development”. It is jointly established by SBF and Temasek Polytechnic (TP) to complement the effort of the SBF Clean Energy Business Group (CEBG) and the Singapore Fuel Cell Community (FCC) hosted by TP. Supported by the Economic Development Board (EDB), CETC is targeted at business and technological cooperation to test bed and pilot Fuel Cell (FC) and other Clean Energy Technologies (CET) and Applications for adoption.

Why did industry development turn into a CLEAN ENERGY department?

My first task was then to send out individual invites for the event to 700 plus companies, with their respective salutations. Eg. Mr. ABC, Ms. XYZ. … Your eyes did not deceive you. ITS 700!! After the various emails, I was in-charge of the RSVP and all I do all day was reply thanking the companies for their interest in our seminar. How come my job scope seems so much different from what was promised? Haiz…

But I must admit that I was quite pleased when I was given my own work station. At least I felt respected. HOWEVER, I HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE INTERNET FROM MY DESKTOP EXCEPT FOR THE EMAIL!! BORING!! I CAN’T SUFT THE NET when I’ve got nothing to do. Shucks…

So my job hovers around the launch until the 20th of Jan, which is the day of the event itself. Medias were invited and CEOs from many companies came, and my boss was so disappointed when the only news coverage was a small paragraph in CNA. HAHA!!

The only one thing I enjoyed during the process was that I get to meet the super handsome Lecturer from TP!! Haha.. he was involved in all the planning and we had meetings in SBF/TP now and then, and I’ll get to see him!! He’s older than me by 10 years though… hmm. His name is Kwan XX. I’m drooling… JKJK.

Anyway, I’ll continue another day… I want to knock off now, rushing off to CT’s Alumni Barbeque!!.

YIPEE!!!

*I was typing this is my office and sending off through email..