One for the road: My last blog post

Tradition goes that long ago, in London, a man who was about to be executed would have to walk the length of a particular street to go from the prison to the gallows. As luck would have it, this street was where all the pubs and bars were located. The condemed man had but one privilege, that he could stop at any of the bars and ask for one last drink. They called this particular privilege "the one for the road." A saying that has persisted into modernity.

Its a morbid story to start with and yet it mirrors my situation remarkably well (not the death part of course). This is the last semester I have in NUS and I will be moving on to the next stage of my life. Its also interesting that a module like ES2007S would be the last gateway into my entry to the workforce.

I did this module because I wanted to accquire the skills necessary for the workforce. Engineering, while a tough course to navigate, is remarkable at sheltering its students from the truth of the real world. Resumes, cover letters and the nuances of the job application process were unknown to me (as those who read my various submissions will attest) and I reckoned I shouldn't be going in blind. Certainly, this module has taught me all the necessary skills for that aspect.

What I didnt expect to learn was the other soft skills. I was never afraid of public speaking (Because of my inherent shamelessness) but I learnt what people looked out for and what to expect and hence improved myself. I had written proposals for engin modules before but for the first time I learnt exactly what the marker or recipients of the proposals looked for. I had worked on projects before but I learnt how differently people think and how difficulties are overcome with as little animosity as possible (thanks Team Bookies!). And last but most importantly, I learned to accept criticism from peers and my tutors. I've always had a very bad temper and a decidedly defensive streak. But the real improvements that resulted from implementing suggestions certainly convinced me to listen and consider criticism before rejecting it outright.

Thank you to Ms Lim and all my classmates for the refreshing and decidedly unique experience in NUS. It's one hell of a way to end my NUS life.