Opportunity came knocking and I answered the door!

It never crossed my mind that one day, I would be doing a work placement or possibly be blessed with the opportunity to work in one of the most lucrative industries in Malaysia. Well, that opportunity came and it was with Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad (SOPB). As the name suggests, this company is primarily involved in the cultivation of oil palm plantation. The palm oil industry is indeed one of the major contributors to Malaysia's economic growth, and Malaysia currently ranks as the second highest exporter of palm oil products, surpassed by its neighbouring country, Indonesia.

Generally speaking, many interns would usually begin the first day of their work placement with a short and simple introductory session of their workplace. This would probably include being introduced to their colleagues as well as being briefed of the do's and dont's of the workplace, before being shown their work station or desk where they will have to get accustomed to quickly, as the work comes piling in not long after. The first day of my internship was something like that, except it wasn't held at my workplace and neither would it be short and simple. Coincidentally, my first day fell under the same day that SOPB would hold its corporate employee orientation, as a full-day event located approximately 35 kilometers from SOPB headquarters, at its Lambir estate.

Upon arrival at the headquarters at 7.15 a.m., I was handed a camera bag where as I would be the photographer for the entire orientation session. All of the attendees were placed in the corporate van as we headed off to SOPB's Lambir estate, where the orientation would be held. For the entire day, i managed to gain a lot of insight of the background, policies and other important bits of information for me to better understand the industry and company that i am working for while taking photographs of the event.

Half-way through the event, the new employees were given a chance to visit the oil palm mills, where I was allowed to tag along to take photographs. It was indeed great to be exposed to the various machines involved in processing the palm oil crop. All things considered, my first day of my work experience was insightful and eventful and left me curious and energetic for what's to come during the next few weeks of my placement.

Below are some of the photographs I took for the employee orientation event.


                                         

Admin Executive, Judy Yeo gives a warm, welcoming speech to fellow attendees

Ice breaker session

New corporate employees introduce themselves

Ice breaker session continues

Visit to the palm oil mill

A group photo before being done with the day

Till next time,

Jaafar Mohamed,
16320752,
Miri campus.