Friday 13th wasn't that bad after all!

Friday, February 13th marked the last day of my internship with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri. I know, some would say Friday the 13th is actually a bad day (due to some superstition),
but in fact, it was a good day for me. As it was the last day of the internship, the morning started with myself preparing and going through the final notes of my internship conclusion presentation. It was done in front of the Regional Manager, my workplace supervisor and the senior officers. No doubt, I was very nervous in the beginning. However, as time went on during the presentation, I managed to relaxed myself and deliver my presentation as well as video assignment to them. I was given the
chance to create a promotional video for Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri by my supervisor and they were in fact, seemed pleased that I had managed to complete the final task that was given.

Throughout the 30 working days duration, I've learnt lots on the working world particularly on governmental organisations. I've learnt on how to adapt fast with other people in the organisation and how important it is to ensure good relationship with your co-workers. It is always good to be humble and willing to learn, especially when you are new to the job. I've also learnt to not underestimate my own capabilities in producing great work and task completion.Aside from that, I've learnt on how to assist others without counting on them to ask for assistance as well as polishing my  event emceeing skills. The feedback that I've got from my supervisor as well as fellow senior officers were overwhelming and definitely a confidence booster for me in the future!

I thanked with all my heart to Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri for being so friendly and accepting towards my presence in the organisation. They not only taught me on how
to function and work as an employee in the organisation but also as a part of their work-place family. It was definitely a worth-while experience despite the short duration of internship time.

Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, thank you for the valuable learning experience!

A Visit to the Local Radio Station

On 27th January 2015, I accompanied my supervisor to the local radio station, MiriFM at the RTM building. It was actually my first time going to the organization and I was really thankful for the opportunity given by my supervisor. 

As we ascended the hill to RTM compounds, I finally saw our local broadcasting building. Radio Television Malaysia, or RTM for short; is a government organization under the Ministry of Information. Being the nation's broadcast channel and radio station, it gave me an insight on a few important things crucial in Public Relations. 

We were there for a segment offered by MiriFM, titled Segmen Bersama Agensi (Segment with the Agency). It is a short segment where the representative of an agency will use the opportunity to announce any upcoming events or distributing information regarding the organization. The segment usually lasts for 15-20 minutes where the interactions are scripted between the radio DJ and the representative.

For that segment, we were on the business of promoting an upcoming event at Pustaka which is Minggu Warisan Bumi Kenyalang (Land of the Hornbill Heritage Week) event this end of February.

Before the live broadcast started, we mingled with the radio DJ and staff that were on duty that day. We chatted for a while as we sat in the radio set. Prior to arriving, I was told by my supervisor that she had done it for a few times in the previous years so it was not her first session with them.

As she greeted lots of the RTM staff, it made me realised that as a PR officer of an organization, it it true that good relations with the media; be it radio, television or prints, is essential in boosting the media presence of the organization. This is applicable to what we have learnt in Media Relations unit.

Apart from that, it was fun to see how a live radio broadcast is conducted, an inside view instead of the usual listeners' point-of-view.

It is definitely a good day to remember!


Cheers!
Alyssa Chin.

New week, new challenges!

After the routine aerobic workout on Monday, I volunteered to help my supervisor and a couple of librarians to move the stacks of newspapers from the first to the ground floor. It was definitely an extra session of working out!
I, then helped them to sort out the donated books by the public to the library.
The library has an ongoing program where the public are welcome to donate their unwanted books to the library; given that it is still in good conditions.
However, some members of the public are rather ignorant on that fact where they just drop any used books into the donation box. Most of the books donated are not suitable for shelving in the library as some are irrelevant, too worn out and outdated.
There were two stacks of English novels donated to the library but the library can't accept it due to the condition of the books. These books are still readable but they refuse to take it in as they do not want the library members to complain on the selections of books offered.
So instead, I offered to take the books home and they happily accepted my offer. It was definitely a win-win situation as I am a book-lover!
Later that day, I was to design an event poster on February's event in conjunction with Minggu Warisan Bumi Kenyalang. The poster that I have to create was of a talk on Pua Kumbu and its revolution.

     To the Iban of Sarawak, the pua kumbu is not just a blanket. It is a sacred ceremonial and ritual     textile. The word pua in Iban means 'blanket', kumbu means 'to wrap'. Together, the two words mean a 'grand blanket'. However. the pua kumbu is very seldom used as a sleeping blanket. It is reserved for the times when men and women seek an encounter with the spiritual (Fascinating Malaysia 2015).

I had a good time researching on the information needed for the poster after consulting the staff in-charge of the event. Not only did I deepen my knowledge on the local Iban culture, it also made ma aware of the significant research works by the speaker.

Besides that, I'd joined the first staff meeting they had with the CEO. She flew in from Kuching that morning for the general staff meeting with library's staffs to the the updates as well as summary report of 2014's progress.
During the meeting, I were to introduce myself to her in front of all the present staffs and she wished me well for my internship period hoping that both I and Pustaka will be able to learn from each other during this period of time.
It was a little scary having to talk in front of everyone but they were supportive of me by calming down my nerves during the meeting.
Aside from that, one of the job scopes of being in the Corporate Communications department is the monitoring and reviewing of customers' feedback; be it compliments  or complains received. Compliments are taken into account as well to motivate and appreciate the works or services of the staffs to the users.
These feedback are important for the organization as it can help to improve on the services and the conditions of the facilities for the comfort of the members as well as users.
I believe it is crucial to motivate the staffs as it will not only boost up their job performance but also making them feel that their presence in the organization is important.
It made me realized that in a working environment, one need constant motivation during work to achieve better work performance.
These complains and compliments; be it verbally (which the staff will record it down in a verbal customer feedback form), through voicepoint or written sources, it must be carefully evaluated and attended to according to the level of of compliment or complain.
Each complains are to be investigated by the unit leaders and they have to report on their actions in overcoming the same occurrences of complains taking place in the future.
It will then be relayed to the complainers in regards to their feedback. This is to ensure that it is fulfilling the objective of serving the local community.
For the week, I have learn a lot on how it is important to maintain the image of the organization, just as what we have learn in class!

Till next time...

Cheers!
Alyssa Chin

Entering the New Year as a Public Relations Intern

I started the New Year with the nervousness of being an intern at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri. It is a digital library in Miri, providing various services and facilities for the local community.
First day came and I was nervous as wreck (with a tad of excitement), even from the night before. I couldn't sleep well as my brain went into over-drive and I was thinking of all sorts of scenarios that can happen to me at the work place; of the working environment, the staffs and so on.

Upon arriving, I was greeted warmly by my supervisor, Miss Sofina and she showed me to my table.
As each staffs arrived in the office after the New Year holiday, I was introduced to each one of them and I have to admit, I was shy in front of them but they are very friendly and quickly made me feel comfortable in the office.
Being able to converse in the local Sarawak Malay language was definitely a perk as they began to chat and asked me lots of questions about myself to make me feel at ease with them.
Despite being the "newbie" in the office, they made me feel as if I have been in the organisation with them for a long time.
The first task of the day was the briefing on the organisation and Corporate Communications department of Pustaka itself with the assistance of Fail Meja (Desk File) which contains much information of the organisation including the organisational chart, the work procedures etc. by Miss Sofina herself.
Later on, I was given the tasks to create a promotional poster for an upcoming event at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri which as "Renal Diet" health talk on January 17th. I have to admit, I was quite rusty with the designing works as I have not been doing such work for a long time.

Also, I was to compress the 3 pages brochure into a single page leaflet as to test my understanding in English and Bahasa Malaysia knowledge alongside my creativity in designing leaflets to attract more new memberships to the library. This was done in dual languages; English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Another assignment was given to me was to complete a written assignment comprised of four main questions given by my supervisor.
Instead of feeling overwhelm by many assignment tasks in the first day, I was actually excited and happy to be receiving these tasks.

Apart from that, throughout the week, I was also given tasks of producing two media releases where I am to write about Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri's welcoming its members back for year 2015 and on the 8th Sarawak Local Content Competition, which is one of the upcoming events to be held at Pustaka.
The real challenge was when I had to brush up on my Bahasa Malaysia language as I do not use it often in my daily life. The Oxford Dictionary and Google Translate site was my best friend when I was doing the Bahasa Malaysia media releases.
However, despite the minor difficulty, I was able to complete all of my given tasks on time and even got the media releases to be printed in the local newspapers such as The Star, The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo.
Apart from that. the promotional poster that I've created was immediately displayed in the building and was uploaded to the website as well as their Facebook page.
It was definitely a "feel good" moment seeing my own work being printed out as well as posted online for all to read and see!

Week two started with a simple aerobics exercise with the staff. It is a weekly routine where every Monday is started with the aerobics exercise session to refresh an prepare the body for the day ahead.
Throughout the week, I was to research on suitable quotes to be use for promotional events, creations of notebooks and so on. These quotes must be relevant in promoting the reading habit, the significant roles of a library as well as the importance of knowledge and information.
Aside from that, I sat in a meeting where I get to see how the organisation plans for an upcoming bug event which is the Land of the Hornbill Heritage Week (Minggu Warisan Bumi Kenyalang). It's interesting to see an actual meeting take place and despite being new to the subject of the meeting, I was asked to give my suggestion on the event.
Besides that, I've also been taught on doing newspaper clippings in which I get to file the media releases that I've created the week before!
It definitely motivates me in being better and to do a better job for the remaining time of my internship.



Till my next post!

Alyssa Chin.