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March 2019 / VOLUME 2 / ISSUE 4

Campus Life Update

Featured This Month: Kinder Game Show

Upcoming Events

Race With the Dragon

Journey to the East

Kaplan Basketball Club

CDS Editorals

Alumni Editorals

Inspired by the ever popular Chinese match-making game shows & Ellen DeGeneres’s fun and exciting talk shows, powered by attractive giveaways, our student leader, Damon (Bachelor of Science in Cyber Forensics and Information Security and Computer Science with Murdoch University) birthed the idea of an event that has a concoction of all three.

Kinder Game Show1 March 2019Story by Ina OngPhotography by Huang Siwei

Held at Blackbox Kallang, students were first initiated to a game to find their partner. Hosted by the man himself, Damon had the participants interact with each other before the team games commenced. The students played games such as taboo and dodgeball , all of which had prizes to be won. During the talk show, some participants were invited by Damon on stage for a casual interview.

The highlight of this event was “Who wants to be a rupiah millionaire?” Teams were divided to compete against each other over a series of enriching questions and fun facts of Singapore. The winning team of course won more than a million rupiah, which is equivalent to SGD$150. The night ended with participants mingling and going for supper with their new friends. Thank you all for a wonderful evening!

“My philosophy is: If you can’t have fun, there’s

no sense in doing it.” ~Paul Walker

Kaplan Student Affairs organise monthly events with the student leaders from the Student Executive Committee for all students in Kaplan. Do enquire from us on the monthly activities and workshops which are specially organised for Kaplan students. You may wish to check out the following link https://campuslife.kaplan.com.sg/to find more information on our events/activities/workshops held regularly.

Join and Like our Kaplan CampusLife facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KaplanCampusLife

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“Race with the dragon” was a fun and intensive dragon boating event organised by Kaplan Adventurers’ Club in collaboration with People’s Association at Bedok Reservoir. The trainers began by sharing with us valuable information behind the history of dragon boating and the basics of rowing. We were soon divided into two dragon boat groups. Each group was taught the rowing and team synchronization techniques. The values of teamwork and resilience were then emphasised by the two teams as they raced each other while having fun in the process. To simply put, this event was an intensive but enriching learning journey.

Race with the Dragon23 February 2019Story by Subadra Edited by Ina OngPhotography by Kaplan Adventurers’ Committee

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As February came to a close, the student leaders from MISC organised an out-of-city getaway trip to Pulau Ubin for our fellow Myanmar students. During the bus journey from Wilkie Edge Campus towards Changi Village, the club representatives (CR) started a round of introduction among the participants and the bus was soon filled with casual chatter.

The bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to Pulau Ubin was rather fun as it was a first time for many of us. Upon

Mysterious Island23 February 2019Story by Su Myat NoeEdited by Ina OngPhotography by MISC Committee

arrival, everyone excitedly walked to the bicycle rental shop to select a suitable bicycle of their choice before cycling off together leisurely around the island.

At one of the rest stops, the students had refreshments and played some games. One of the favourite games was the ‘Human Knot Game’, where participants stood in a circle and held the hands of the person across them. They had to untangle themselves from the messy knot of hands and form a circle with their hands

while still holding on to each other. This game allowed them to learn how to work together, enabled problem-solving strategies and encouraged persistence.

It was a good break away from the bustling city life as they enjoyed the wonderful nature in this peaceful island. With this, MISC would like to welcome all new Burmese students to join our club. Stay tuned for more interesting events with MISC.

The Kaplan Basketball club is not just a club. It is a sacred ground, watered by the tears and blood of players who strive to make a name for themselves and to achieve greatness. These knights train every Monday at Stadium, 7:30pm, guided by an experienced coach with several titles of his own. The Kaplan Basketball team is not for the faintest of hearts. Training is difficult as these knights have many competitions to take part in such as the U183 Commissioners Cup and other leagues.

What this team offers is a lifestyle, a brotherhood and success. If you think you are ready to challenge your limits and be part of us, come visit the Students Affairs office at PoMo level 6 (next to classroom 603), to register. We hope to see you soon!

Kaplan Basketball ClubStory by Foo Fang EarnPhotography by Kaplan Basketball Committee

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Career Lessons Most People Learn Too Late In Life

In our previous issue, we shared about the

importance of work-life balance. This month, we would like to share with you some important career lessons from seasoned professionals which most people learn too late in their lives.

1. YOLO! But do it responsibly (For older readers, YOLO is

an acronym that millennials use for “You Only Live Once.”)

Life is too short to spend being unhappy. If you have a job you hate, a work environment that is toxic or a career that isn’t worthwhile fighting for, make sure you do something about it today. You don’t want to only start changing your career only twenty years later, regretting not making a change when you could have done so twenty years ago. But remember to make your move wisely; do not jump into a decision without careful thinking.

Story by Hakim AsfeePhotography credits: Google 2. Sometimes staying in a job

might be a better path for you.

While the previous point encourages you to look for other opportunities when you feel trapped and unhappy, Guy Kawasaki (a respected Silicon Valley icon) feels that changing your job might not be the right move at times. When asked regarding one of his biggest career regret that he has, Guy says that “…jumping from green-looking pasture to greener-looking pasture might not be optimal. It can be better to stay in the same pasture and make it greener.” Guy pointed out that although leaving from one position to another might seem to be an ideal move, it might actually be more beneficial to stay on and make improvements to his or her current work and its environment. Because in the long run, the current position might offer unexpected career opportunities and the “greener pasture” may not be as green as you imagined it to be. Therefore this is the reason why

you should take your time to consider your move wisely.

3. Staying healthy is VERY important.

We have read that many driven and successful people concentrate on every aspect of their career but neglect their health. It is true that being busy, productive and successful is great, but you need to stay healthy to taste the fruits of your labour later in life. As we mentioned in our last article, you only have one life so take good care of it.

4. Learning is part of your life.

Changes are taking place all the time and at a very fast speed. And I really mean very, very fast. You will end up being outdated if you feel that you have learned enough. The phase “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks” should be kicked out from your belief system. Unless you prefer to be compared to a museum artefact, keep on learning and stay relevant.

Resources:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-important-career-lessons-most-people-learn-too-late-hyacinth

https://www.bernardmarr.com/de-fault.asp?contentID=980

https://www.lollydaskal.com/lead-ership/12-important-career-lessons-most-people-learn-too-late-in-life/

5. Be contented

As we keep on chasing our goals in life, we tend to forget to appreciate the things we already have. Simple moments like spending time with your loved ones or even taking a walk at a park to appreciate nature will help you realise that life have much to offer besides sitting at your desk and getting slogged at work. If you don’t have any idea on how to start feeling contented, perhaps you can start to volunteer for a voluntary welfare organisation (VWO). You will be surprised that there are many others out there who are less fortunate than you are. Be glad that you are blessed with the things that you already have. Like they say, you wouldn’t want to lose a diamond while busy collecting stones.

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We have all been invited to that same event - a

room filled with fifty individuals, nothing but stale crackers, cheese, and dwindling hope of establishing meaningful connections, or a place where the best outcome might be just the free wine. Many would say, this is a re-enactment of The Hunger Games but in fact this is an exact description of one’s networking event, where you wonder why you would ever choose this stuffy room over your perfectly cozy couch after a hard day of work. You start to question if lazing on this couch of yours can actually generate more contacts or leads than attending such “mundane” events. If you are a consultant or own a business, you would know that your most prized assets are that of one’s relationships. “Door openers” who

Be a smart networker Story by Stephen Das Photography credits: Google

are connected people, are able to elevate a business from good to great.

According to the data provided by Professor Julia Hobsbawn of Editorial Intelligence, 1 in 4 business professionals don’t network at all and 41% would like to network more but they don’t have time.

Forming relationships and nurturing connections are critical to building leads and driving sales. According to a study by The Economist’s Intelligence Unit, 78% of entrepreneurs believe that informal networking is vital to the success of their business. A recent study, in partnership with LinkedIn, reported that networking fills a whopping 85% of jobs — confirming the old adage; it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.

For introverts who despise the idea of being a social butterfly and a lover of their own sanctuaries,

networking can be a huge challenge in a crammed stuffy room full of people. Does this mean you can’t make meaningful business connections? Of course not. Introverts such as Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Bill Gates of Microsoft who are highly successful entrepreneurs, prefer their solo time and they tend to network best in one-on-one situations.

Here are six strategies for introverts to connect with people:

Know when you’re at your best

Introverts may feel more comfortable in small crowds and when the event is in line with their cognitive abilities. Find the best time of the day when you are able to think critically and rationally. If you hate to wake up for those breakfast networking events, then seek out events that occur at the time you can be your best self.

If you feel intimidated in huge crowds, find events that are “cozy” and have a limit to the number of guests you are comfortable with.

Join a co-working space

Whether it be WeWork or Found8, co-working spaces are the unspoken havens for small business owners and freelancers who are in dire need of an office space outside of their homes. By physically being amongst like-minded entrepreneurs, small business owners and freelancers, it allows you to connect and “disguise” your hidden agenda. You can compare notes about clients, projects, and colleagues and even trade business tips, tricks, and advice. Co-working fosters organic relationships and practically guarantees a built-in network.

Create your “tribe of five”

One has to remember the aim of the networking game, i.e. to remember names and not numbers. There is no need to go around the room collecting every single business card at events. Forging relationships are never about what a person can do for you; it’s about connecting with people who inspire, motivate, and teach you. Would you rather be an opportunist coming and going or a real leader focused on building relationships? Take up the simple challenge of growing your network by five people each year. You will not only be tapping on the benefits of having five relationships, but also your second degree network generated from your tribe.

Before you attend an event, try to find out who are attending the

event and the people who can provide you the most value add to your business or career. This allows you to focus on meeting the right people instead of randomly circulating a room like a headless chicken. Let the conversations be short but impactful and end the conversations with securing their contact information and a follow-up over coffee. So instead of spending hours suffering at an event, you can hit and run after 45 minutes.

Build relationships online

Developing on-screen relationships are sometimes more viable for busy people with tight schedules. From LinkedIn and Facebook groups to blogs and forums, one can comfortably network from their cozy couch. Screens are less confrontational and introverts can control the level and intensity of interactions. Connect with people on like-minded interests and if you find someone who shares your vibe, you can invite them to chat on Skype or Face-time as a substitution for in-person events. Do not shy away from checking your colleagues or friends on LinkedIn or other social profiles and where possible, request for introductions to the people whom you want to connect with.

Bring a plus one

New people are scary for introverts. If you always find yourself huddled in a corner with your phone or a book, bring a buddy. Friends who are extraverts help lighten the mood and steer you in the right professional direction.

Throw a plus one dinner party

You can always switch things around. Instead of attending these events, you can organize your own networking event in your controlled setting; your turf and your very own customized guest list. Consider hosting or co-hosting a small gathering where every attendee is required to bring a colleague or friend. In this way, you are able to get introductions through your familiar network and at the same time, not intimidating with the help of familiar faces.

Resources:https://medium.com/@felsull/how-to-network-when-you-hate-leaving-the-house-c59ac6b0afa4

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With her mind set on wanting to gain useful experiences, Charlene Lim, our University College Dublin Marketing undergraduate, has been striving towards one milestone after another. She applied to work at the Irish Chamber of Commerce through Kaplan’s internship programme with the organisation and found the stint to be fruitful and eye-opening. “As an events and marketing intern, I was tasked to manage the Irish Chamber’s social media sites, provide support to event management and

handle administrative work using industry softwares. I’m thankful for this opportunity. My supervisor, Tamsin, has been a really supportive and encouraging mentor to me,” Though Charlene was selected for the role because she has relevant skillsets, Tamsin Lawrence, Executive Director with the Irish Chamber of Commerce (Singapore), named attitude as the foremost consideration. “Charlene is willing to learn and hardworking! If the candidate is inquisitive, communicative and demonstrates a can-do

attitude, they will thrive in any job market.” Charlene’s go-getting personality also landed her an offer that she has been dreaming of. She was overjoyed when she received news of being one of the 5 candidates from Singapore to be granted a place to complete her final semester at UCD campus in Dublin. When asked what she hopes to gain from this, she shared, “I look forward to building new connections and learning about a new culture through this!”

Charlene LimBachelor of Business Studies

(Honours) in Marketing (Top-up)UCD Student (2018)

With a long-term plan to eventually be an entrepreneur, Hendra Roy Osland’s interest in understanding business management grew. Seeing that he could further his passion in both Management and Marketing through a single University of Essex programme, Hendra decided to enrol for the Degree at Kaplan.

Hendra, who is currently a Senior Executive with Gardens by the Bay, shares, “One of the units that I have enjoyed the most is Business Strategy as it opened my eyes to the wide-ranging considerations when

managing a business.

The knowledge I’ve gained so far has also enabled me to gain a clearer understanding of the work I’m doing, and this has translated into better decision making at work.” With several commitments on the plate including his wedding next year, Hendra is glad that his part-time studies is made more manageable because of approachable lecturers and helpful classmates.

He keeps his sight firmly on the goal of obtaining his Degree as he knows that the relevant qualification

and knowledge will be key in advancing his career.

Hendra Roy OslandBachelor of Science (Honours) in

Management and Marketing (Top-up)UOE Student (2018)

Receive a $200 or S$400 referral fee* when you recommend a friend to enrol for a Diploma or Degree programme respectively at the Kaplan Open House 2019 on 6 April (Sat), 11am - 5pm.

*Terms and conditions apply. Visit our website for more information.

Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is the readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness. It is a feeling of happiness derived by celebrating the present and magnifying positive emotions.

Ever heard of the saying “Whatever you focus on will grow”? That is what the practice of gratitude is about!

THE PRACTICEOf

GRATITUDE

1. Notice2. Savour

3. Experience

Give out compliments

Make a list of things you are

grateful for

Volunteer in your community

Do small random acts of kindness

Smile!

Student Deals

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The CampusLife Update is brought to you by Kaplan Student Affairs & Graduate Services Office (SAGSO). SAGSO is located at PoMo Campus level 6 (next to classroom 603). SAGSO welcomes your article contributions, constructive feedback or suggestions. You may send them via email to sawc.sg@kaplan.com. For career related enquiries, please email to gso.sg@kaplan.com. Connect with us on Facebook and Campus Life website.

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