Over or under qualified?

Speaks in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Hokkien fluently, understands simple Iban.

Writes in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Is computer literate (Microsoft Office, Internet, Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro 5)

Job experience: Personal Assistant to a Diplomat (2006-2008)

Qualification: Bachelor of Arts- Mass Communications: Film & TV Production- Corporate Production and Marketing

Posts held in university: President of Curtin Volunteers (2005)

Member of the Student Council- IT Sub Committee (2005)

Student Ambassador (2005)

Student Orientation And Registration Advisor (2003-2004)

Extra Curricular activities:

2006
- Attended the Media Asia Research Group (MARG) Conference 2006

2005
- Curtin Student Ambassador (Semester 1 2005)
- Orientation Week Programs with Curtin Volunteers
- President Curtin Volunteers (Internal Affairs)
- Student Facilitator for School Visits to Curtin
- Organizing Committee for the “Aventurè Volunteers” leadership
workshop for Curtin Volunteers
- Member of Curtin Student Council- Information Technology Sub-Council

- Head of Logistics for the Curtin University Contingent for the Miri City Day Parade
- Program Committee for the “O-Beach Party” during the Degree
Orientation July 2005
- Committee member of Run For Charity 2, co-organized by Dynasty Hotel and Curtin Volunteers
- Organizing Committee for the Foundation Orientation Nite (August 2005)
- Organizing Committee Member- Curtin Carnival 2005: “Celebrate U!”

- Interviewed for an upcoming book on Curtin University Sarawak Malaysia, representing Curtin Volunteers
- Organizing Committee- Curtin Grand Ball: “Heaven on Earth”
- Organizing Committee for the John Curtin Charity Month
- Program Committee member for the Picnic Session for IEP Students at Tanjong Lobang Beach

2004
- Volunteer Student Helper for PET Program
- Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) Advisor (March intake)
- Vice President of Curtin Volunteers
- Organizing Committee of Miri SMS Hunt
- Interview Skills Training with Shell
- Student Facilitator for various school visits to Curtin University
- Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) Advisor (July intake)
- Produced a video presentation “Erti Kemerdekaan” for a competition organized by the Ministry of Higher Education
- Curtin Volunteers Choir for the University’s Merdeka Celebration
- Curtin Carnival Promotions and PR Team cum liaison between Curtin Volunteers and the Student Council
- Student Facilitator for Maths Camp for SMK Dato Permaisuri
- Dialogue Session with the America Ambassador
- Organizing committee of John Curtin Charity Month

2003
- Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) Advisor (July intake)
- Part of the Curtin University Contingent in the Merdeka Parade
- Event Coordinator of John Curtin Week 2003 (for Curtin Volunteers)

- Environmental Care Rally
- Acted in a Student Short Movie Production
- Curtin Summer Camp Student Mentor
- Published a research paper on the Sikh Community is Miri.

2002
- Created a sample newsletter template for Miri Municipal Council
(MMC)
- Co-Founder of Curtin Volunteers Sarawak Chapter
- Project Secretary of Curtin Volunteers
- Organizing Committee of John Curtin Day

Portfolio:

Video

UnXpected (A 6 minutes suspense/ horror movie)
- Scriptwriter, Editor, props & set up team

“Lost & Found” (A short movie of a mistaken identity)
- Lead actress

A Short Video for 1stSHOT: The Nokia AVMaker (A short clip on
pollution)
- Editor

“Hurry Up!” (A short video of a man desperate to go to relieve himself)
- Editor

“No One Is Disable” (A short documentary on the Sunflower Centre for Special Children)
- Cinematographer and Editor

Erti Kemerdekaan (a 4 minute clip on the meaning of independence)
- Sound designer & soundtrack

“Unspoken Bittersweets” (A documentary on the Miri Old Folks Home and life/ experiences of the residents)
- Editor, cinematographer and sound person

“BO Buster” (A deodorant advertisement)
- Editor, Props & Set up, Graphics & Effects

“perMYsuri” (Music Video)
- Main Editor, Props & Set up

“Setting Up For The Interview” (Mini Corporate Video on how to set up a set for interviews as wells as setting up the lights and camera)
- Editor, Props & Set up, Graphics & Effects

“Laku Water Treatment Plant” (Corporate Video for the local Water
Treatment Plant)
- Editor, Graphics & Effects

Print

“The Sikh Community in Miri” (a research paper)
- Group research
- Published in Sarawak Tribune (Outlook Section) in December 2003

Frustration!

It's almost been 11 months since I decided not to continue working in Brunei. Well, my contract ended and since the family are moving from Brunei for good, I decided to decline the continuation of my contract.

2 years as a PA to a diplomat was a great job, great opportunity and great learning experience. However, towards the end of my contract, I felt unfulfilled and unsatisfied, that isnt where and what I wanted any more.

In other words, I was burnt out.

Now 10.5 months down the road... and 2 interviews down... I'm still searching and applying. I have applied to at least 2 dozen companies in the past 4 months itself. I've emailed my resume to various companies, enquiring if they have vacancies or if they are interested to hire me.

What I've got are 2 interviews. One isnt really my forte- journalism & writing (amongst other stuffs) and the other they claim my 'style isn't the kind they are looking for' aka "creative differences". Hence... here I am, still hunting. Seriously, interview #2 brought me to KL for 3 weeks. 1 month down the road they have not called back. I take it 'creative differences' really was the issue. Oh well...

SO what now? Should I waste that -I dont know, RM 65000?- worth of education I had in uni? That wonderful 4 years that I spend learning and doing something I love doesnt seem to 'translate' well into the real world. Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications- Film & TV Production and Marketing. Heck, they should add "...and Tourism" to my degree, I did all the Tourism units available too...

Ok, I might have not topped the class, but I did pretty well in class considering I wasnt exactly the study 10 hrs a day type. But I learnt more than just what was taught in class/ part of my course. I spent the rest of my uni life (whatever that isnt being spent in class, doing shoots or in d editing suite) learning leadership, volunteerism, team work, mentoring, counseling and much more! Yes, I did have an active extra curricular life!

So much experience and knowledge, from both inside the class and outside... and from my working days... All going to waste. My mind is rotting now. How does one work on analytical skills, leadership and team work while on a job hunt? Thank God for my cousin's up coming wedding, it's keeping me from getting depressed. And keeps me busy!

I really really really hope I do get a job soon. And oh yeah, I'm seriously considering working in Starbucks.