i wrote about a graduation interview sometime back. well, it was not really a graduation interview per se. actually, it was an interview for a medal to be awarded for overall best student for the graduating cohort for my masters programme. it was an interesting experience becos when i received the call, i was told that i was one of the many possible candidates earmarked to be the best student and that given the award is coated with gold and is quite expensive, the sponsor for the award (the singapore teacher's union) wanted to interview shortlisted candidates before deciding who they should award the medal to. well, i was kinda surprise cos to me, i had assumed that best student would be an easy process of looking at the overall grades attained.
nonetheless, i went for the interview. nothing to lose for me. in fact, if i did win, it would be a nice topping for me. not expecting anything at all and not even sure what i was in for. the interview itself was straight forward but i found it rather interesting. funny if i may add. the sponsor for the medal did not even know that i was not a teacher. he was even more surprised when i told him i did not attend formal teacher training. my own impression from the questions asked by the medal sponsor was that the eventual winner should preferably be a teacher and that he/ she should be able to contribute to the teacher's union. i walked out of the interview smiling at how this whole episode was managed, and rather tickled by how this whole thing was conducted. i asked - if they had wanted a teacher, why go through the process of shortlisting me? was the criteria not clear? why call it best student medal in the first place if it is not about (1) the results, and (2) meant for teachers? why not call it a award for moe-teachers attending the programme? or perhaps it's called this way due to some branding considerations :-)
anyway, two days ago, i received an email telling me that i was not successful for the medal (well, heh heh... no surprise actually). and ya, kinda cliche, but well, am still glad that i was shortlisted for such an award.
nonetheless, i went for the interview. nothing to lose for me. in fact, if i did win, it would be a nice topping for me. not expecting anything at all and not even sure what i was in for. the interview itself was straight forward but i found it rather interesting. funny if i may add. the sponsor for the medal did not even know that i was not a teacher. he was even more surprised when i told him i did not attend formal teacher training. my own impression from the questions asked by the medal sponsor was that the eventual winner should preferably be a teacher and that he/ she should be able to contribute to the teacher's union. i walked out of the interview smiling at how this whole episode was managed, and rather tickled by how this whole thing was conducted. i asked - if they had wanted a teacher, why go through the process of shortlisting me? was the criteria not clear? why call it best student medal in the first place if it is not about (1) the results, and (2) meant for teachers? why not call it a award for moe-teachers attending the programme? or perhaps it's called this way due to some branding considerations :-)
anyway, two days ago, i received an email telling me that i was not successful for the medal (well, heh heh... no surprise actually). and ya, kinda cliche, but well, am still glad that i was shortlisted for such an award.
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