Thank you and Goodbye

by Str|fe

0 comments

Tying up some loose ends

Yeah, it's the end of my student life! No more project, no more exam! Hehe ~ I screwed up both law papers, but heck it, I don't give a damn anymore. I am so looking forward to the commencement ceremony this coming July. Hmmm..... can't wait to put on that "gown" ~ it has always been my dream. Haha! Oh, I am considering applying for the award after all. I know I am definitely not good enough for the number 1 spot, but maybe there's a tiny bit of chance for 2nd? Even if I can't get these 2, I bet my application (to be screened by big shots) will help in my other award applications. Fingers crossed. I want my mum to be proud of me during the ceremony. :)
I am still feeling very sick. The fever has persisted for 4 days already. Every time I take the pills, the temperature will fall for 2 hours. After which, it will be back to 38 Degree Celsius. My back and joint are aching like mad. Who knows? It may be some mosquito bite or some birdie flu. Haha ~ anyway, I will visit the doctor again if I still don't recover by tomorrow.
Regarding the stupid Employment Survey, I have already replied the assistant director. I will be having lunch with her soon, so hopefully she will understand the concern of the graduates better. This shall be my graduate gift for the school, instead of some scholarship fund donation (I am poor mah).
Thank you so much for all your concerns and advices during my job hunting. Greatly appreciated. Till today, many friends still don't believe that I am going to work in P&G. Haha ~ oh well, I am happy with this job offer as of now and I have faith that I will excel in this company. Have some faith in me too, ok? I won't deny the fact that I wish to have a shot at IB someday, but maybe I am just not good enough now. But who knows what happen tomorrow? Right now, I am looking forward to my career in P&G. :)
I did mentioned that I may have a new blog some time in the future. Old habit dies hard. Maybe I will start one some time in September when I get my dog? Haha ~ anyhow, I won't post the new address in this blog, so don't bother coming back to check. If you want the new address, you can email me at eternitu25@yahoo.com.sg ..... buggers do not apply.
So what's up for the next few days? Tomorrow will be driving. Friday going back to camp. Next week, I will set up my trading account and maybe give my room a new coat of paint. Will be buying those book titles which I mentioned in the previous post. Then continue to exercise regularly. Try to spend more time with her and my family. And finally ..... fulfill all my resolutions for 2007 ........

by Str|fe

3 comments

When the hunter get hunted

Last week while having a beer at Ice Cold, my professor told me about his experience with the Graduate Employment Survey conducted by Office of Career Service (OCS). I was disgusted when he told me that the managers of OCS will call up professors to bug them for names of outstanding graduates so that they can be in the sample group of survey. So my guess was spot on. In an earlier post, I mentioned that OCS didn't really ensure random sampling in this survey ~ having ensured top earners to be inside the sample, while ignoring those not-so-high-fliers.
Guess what? I received this email today from OCS Assistant Director, congratulating me on my job offer in P&G (amazing how the news spread in that office). Then she moved on to ask me 3 simple questions so as to be part of the GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY. Haha ~ see?! That's how they get the result. My friends with slighly lower GPA (nevertheless, received more job offers) didn't get such email. If they want to claim 100% employment, is it that tough to ensure 100% response in the survey? Or can't they be fair enough to email everyone to ask for the volunteered response?
Now, I hate this survey. I wish I never have to participate in this shitty exercise, but I owe this assistant director a favor since last year. Arrrggghh...... slapping myself in the face.

by Str|fe

5 comments

1 down, 2 more to go

Just finished my Social Psychology paper, thus I am in library now waiting for the law paper. Hmmm..... the Social Psychology paper was quite easy. I guess I can score at least A- for the overall grade without much problem. Anyway, heck care. Just need to get 3.7 this term. It will be nice to have the record of 4 consecutive years of deans' list award. Hehe ~

p.s. My temperature has went down, but the cough and sore throat are getting more serious.

by Str|fe

0 comments

Adding on

Oh ya, I forgot to add an interesting question I gotten from the interviewer this afternoon. When I showcased my IB project (hardcopy) to him, the first question that he asked has nothing to do with the project itself. If you have read the book 'Monkey Business', maybe you won't be surprised by the question .........
He asked me in a very serious tone, "Do you know how to use the binder machine?"

by Str|fe

0 comments

@10:26 PM

Must recover

The panadol ain't working, so I decided to visit the doctor. $36, a piece of MC, and many different medicine. I have 2 papers tomorrow, and one of them is law paper. Must recover by tomorrow morning. Good night.

by Str|fe

0 comments

@4:57 PM

My final IB interview

First up, it's really a mistake on my part to attend this interview in such a feverish state, although there isn't much of a choice since they are concluding their first round today. I was drowsy from the medication, and my running nose and cough didn't help as well.
It's quite an interesting interview though, it's more like a sharing session. The questions were easy, but I doubt I made a good impression in my feverish state. Let me list down some of the discussion we had over the one-hour interview.

1. You are the only one whom we are seeing from Polytechnic. Why polytechnic instead of the JC route? (this question seems to be very popular lately. I get it in every interview)
2. What other offers? (I dunno what's the relevance of this question, someone advise me please?)
3. Are you prepared to sacrifice the hours? (What do you think?)
4. Tell me an example when you screwed up big time at work and cost much embarrassment to your boss (I couldn't answer this question although I tried)
5. Why Jefferies? (Luckily I did my homework)

The final one is a technical question on the 3 financial statements. Basically I just have to draw out the 3 statements on the white board and show the effect of increase in depreciation on these 3 statements. Yeah ~ this question isn't tough. No problem.
However, I know that my progress stopped right there because of the next dreadful question. "We hope our analyst can start by end of May. Will that be a problem for you?" You know my answer. So oh well ~ goodbye.
Anyway, this bank is quite interesting. Their target client group is the mid-cap companies which is one area the other big banks are trying to enter now. And the best thing? This bank focuses on high yield bonds (spelled: junk bonds), thus it will be a good stepping stone to a private equity firm in the future. If you are keen on these markets, you should consider applying. Good luck!

by Str|fe

0 comments

Sunday, April 08, 2007

@11:11 PM

Sick

38.0 Degree Celsius.
The medicine isn't helping ~ feeling very drowsy. How to go for interview tomorrow? And 3 exam papers over the next 2 days? Sian ~~~~~~~~

by Str|fe

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@12:40 PM

Remember this

Don't take Panadol Extra when you are about to head to bed. Each pill contains 65 mg of caffeine. I've learnt my lesson last night.

by Str|fe

0 comments

@11:10 AM

Revision ..... for interview

It sounds stupid, but I am not revising for exam anymore. Concentrating on the tomorrow's interview for now. I am going through the valuation notes again. In my previous IB interview, I suspect my downfall was one question on FCFE which I forgot. I could list out everything, but I forgot about the portion on "New debt issued - debt repayment". Tamade ~ the interviewers corrected me right on the spot. Hopefully this time round, I won't be a disgrace. Yawn ~ Sunday morning .......

by Str|fe

0 comments

Saturday, April 07, 2007

@11:38 AM

Books I want to read this summer

• Damodaran on Valuation (Second Edition)
• Barbarians at the Gate
• Den of Thieves
• Winning with the P&G 99: 99 Principles and Practices of Procter Gambles Success
• Any idiots' guidebook for new dog owners

by Str|fe

0 comments

Friday, April 06, 2007

@5:13 PM

Another lazy day gone

The weather was playing a trick on me. While I was on the beach for 3 hours, the sun only appeared for 5 minutes in total. It was hidden by the cloud for the rest of the time ~ tamade. We went to VivoCity for lunch after the tan. Oh, I managed to visit the pet shop this time, and I saw 2 white pomeranian in the shop, but both were sleeping like nobody's business. Haha ~
I went to check out my army camp site as well. It's confirmed now. I am actually going to be in Mindef. Ok ~ just 3-4 months ..... just bear with it.
5pm and counting ...... yawn ~ going to take a nap.......

by Str|fe

0 comments

@1:53 AM

There's still a long way down this road

Friends have been asking me why am I closing the blog when it's doing fine. If you know abit of my "history", you may have came across my 2 previous blogs. Yes ~ I have 3 blogs in total, although I didn't have 2 active ones at any one time. For your info, my first blog was created back in Dec 2003.
Check out the one and only picture in this blog template. There's a reason why I choose this template. Since it has served its purpose, it's time to shut it down. I won't exclaim here that I will refrain myself from starting a new one, but it's definitely not time yet. So lets see what happen then. Anyway, thank you for reading my blog so far. :)

by Str|fe

0 comments

@1:44 AM

What to do?

See ~ the interview on Monday is actually with an investment bank, although it's more like a boutique house set up in Singapore. I visited its website [http://www.jefco.com] and it's interesting how a seemingly small bank can provide such a full-range services. Ok ~ it's my 2nd IB interview so far and I hope I won't screw it up. I believe it's my final shot at IB this time. I need to receive this final rejection in the face before I am willing to lie down my dream.
So it will be 1 interview on Monday, 2 exam papers on Tuesday, and 1 exam paper on Wednesday. Guess where will I be tomorrow? Haha ~

by Str|fe

0 comments

Thursday, April 05, 2007

@10:41 PM

Dream on

I am happy to receive the invitation to apply for "Valedictorian Award". Not just happy for myself, but also glad to see many familiar names (friends) inside the list. However, I know my capacity and limit. I do hope that I can win an award to let my mum be proud of me during the ceremony, but I also know I am not good enough. So nope, I am not going to apply. I hope my friend will win it. :)
Anyway, the eligibility criteria is as followed (together with my comments in bracket)

An outstanding student; a summa cum laude student who has

· excellence in co-curricular activities (My 2 presidential positions and a seat in student association council)
· unique talents or special qualifications (nothing)
· contributions to the vibrancy of SMU student life (hmmmm.... I guess it's the same as first point)
· service to the SMU and Singapore community (nothing, except maybe the many community services that I have participated in)
· demonstration of leadership qualities (same as first point)
· exceptional oratorical skills (definitely zero)

So you see ~ I am not good enough. Will apply for other awards though. :)

by Str|fe

0 comments

@12:55 PM

Mood-less

I can't wait to get myself onto the beach tomorrow for a good tan. Nothing much to say now, except that it's starting to dawn on me that I am leaving school really soon. 6 more days ......

by Str|fe

0 comments

@12:24 AM

78

This is the number of visitors (not including re-visit) I had yesterday. Not bad sia. It's a record for myself. Haha. Anyway, it's closing soon. So might as well ~

by Str|fe

1 comments

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

@4:56 PM

The secretive company revealed!

And so I was half-correct. I was guessing that it's GIC. But guess what? It's GIC of CHINA! Wahaaha ~ maybe I shouldn't be surprised at all. The company is called "Investment Company of The People's Republic of China (Singapore) Pte Ltd". It belongs to the China government. Hahaha ~
But the again, the interview was interesting. I finished a bottle of beer at Ice Cold 10 minutes before the actual interview. That's a record. Haha. Credit to the interviwers, this interview must have been the most technical one that I have attended. Super technical. Very much on current affairs and fixed income.
Ok ~ I don't care about the result. In fact, even if I get invited for a 2nd round, I won't go. I prefer P&G, hehe ~

by Str|fe

2 comments

@12:18 PM

Yet another

Jefferies Singapore Limited has invited me for an interview on Monday. Yes, it's a corporate finance firm, which I applied back in Nov. Lets see what follow from here. Why are they surfacing only after I signed P&G? Anyway, there's one interview later today. Later.

by Str|fe

0 comments

@10:40 AM

8 hours and counting

Nowadays, I can't wake up if I have any thing less than 8 hours of sleep. Although I tried to set the alarm clock, I have no discipline but just switch it off for more sleep. Haha. Hmmmm ~ lets see what's up for the next few days ........
- already halfway through the P&G book
- finished revision for Social Pyschology
- completed 80% of both law papers revision
- going for an interview later
- going for a drink at Ice Cold tomorrow evening
- going Sentosa bench for a tan on Friday (that's the pre-exam ritual since year 1)
- waiting for exam to finish on Wednesday
- writing a final post on this blog on Wednesday
- reporting back to the army camp on Friday

Where will you be?

by Str|fe

0 comments

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

@1:44 PM

The future

It's not very often that I have the chance to sit down and have a good chat with my mum over a cup of tea. She has been busy at work supporting the family everyday while I was practically in campus 24/7 for the past 4 years. We discussed alot of stuffs;
- my career
- intention to cut all ties from that bastard
- how to repay my loan ($15,000, mind you)
- a new member to our family: my dog
- renovation of my room
- intention of working oversea someday
Ok ~ it's this type of quality time that I had missed out for years. Time to be a good son. :)

by Str|fe

0 comments

@9:47 AM

The secretive company

This is another irony of life. I signed for P&G yesterday, and I was called up this morning to go for an interview tomorrow. This is the fun part though. I applied for this position many months ago, in fact I don't even recall applying. It was the manager from Office of Career Service (OCS) who called and she reminded me that it's an "Investment Officer" position. Oh ya ~ that position. The company was unwilling to reveal its name back then, that's why I couldn't recall now. When I asked the manager what company is it actually, she replied that she still can't reveal it. BAH! It's stupid. I am going for an interview tomorrow for a company which I have no idea. BAH!
Good thing is that only 7 people (out of hundred over of applicants) have been shortlisted, so I guess the chance is good. But again, what made me agree to this interview isn't the opportunity (since I have signed for P&G); it's the secrecy of this company. I will love to find it out tomorrow and post it right here! Wahahahaa ~ wish me luck!

P.S. for your info, here's the only insight to the company I have
-Established investment management company with investments in global fix income markets-Title: Investment Officer
Responsibilities:
-Work closely with and support the fund management team in all areas of investment research with a strong focus in emerging markets
.-Actively monitor the markets under coverage and provide timely updates to the team.

by Str|fe

0 comments

Monday, April 02, 2007

@6:57 PM

The P&G guy

I guess I may be the most unlikely P&G guy recruited. Yup ~ I have signed on the line today. I have faith I will excel in this company. In fact, I am already reading the book (borrowed from library), "Winning with the P&G 99" by Charles L. Decker. Haha ~ the exam revision is boring anyway, might as well read something more value-added for me.
All set. I have my goal now. Since there's no variable bonus (there's fixed bonus though), I am going to set my target on an oversea posting. Like I mentioned before, only the top performers get the opportunity for oversea posting. Yeah ~ that shall be it. :)

by Str|fe

0 comments

@10:42 AM

Keeping me awake

Didn't had a good night of sleep. The dreams kept me up all night. And when I thought I was drifting off in the morning, my Professor (used to be his teaching assistant) called me up at 8.30am. He wants to pass me his RMIT finance notes. So well ~ I have some materials to keep my brain working in the next 3 months. Might as well ~
Yes, I am going to P&G later today ..........

by Str|fe

0 comments

Sunday, April 01, 2007

@11:27 PM

Maybe one more try?

As mentioned in the last post, I had emailed the podcast to the Office of Career Service (more specifically, the manager). She has responded. Believe it or not, she agrees that the whole strategy is starting to backfire on us. She wants me to talk to the Director once I graduate (but the fact is I talked to her before). The office just had a retreat over the weekend, and the director was once again emphasising on the statistic. Bah! Even the manager can't take it no more.
We are arranging a lunch soon. She wish to hear us out. Yes, you may find that I am too free or bo liao. But I am not one to just complain and not act on it. After all, I have spent 4 years here. One last contribution, I hope.

by Str|fe

1 comments

@11:14 AM

Sunday morning

Sunday morning rain is falling...............

by Str|fe

0 comments

Str|fe
@ www.masterzhuo.blogspot.com

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