learning jouney 1

7/28/2019 Learning Jouney 1

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LEARNING JOURNEY

I am Komalah a/p Purusothman from Kemaman, Terengganu. I have accomplished my

first degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) majoring in Finance and Banking

programme. I studied in University Malaysia Sabah (Kota Kinabalu Campus), School of

Business & Economics. I enrolled myself on 12 th of July 2004 and graduated on 3rd of

September 2007. Its all still fresh in my memories...

While in my first degree, I always consult my lecturers to guide me throughout my

studies. They usually point out my mistakes and ask me to re-do my work. Then, I knew that

its a way to improve assignments to be one of the best. Here, I especially have to express my

gratitude to my lecturer, mentor and academic supervisor Pn. Zaiton Osman for her advices

and guidance. I also gather information during group discussion with my coursemates and

friends. Furthermore, I use to refer my seniors for advices in studies and I do spent most of

my time doing revision in the library. I also wish my appreciation to my parents because they

have supported me this far for my education financially. It all helps out and support me a lot

to go through the tough three years course.

There will be one assignment around the corner before I manage to end one. Generally

once a week, I was required to analyse some research basis materials and case studies as my

assignments. I have to go through the case studies and then I have to summaries it. Usually,

we have to do critic writing and come up with our own suggestions and opinions related to

the materials.

There are times, where we (I and my group members) have to interview bank managers

on how they organize the management, how they handle a critical situation, on how they

found a solution to the problem and so on. But before that, we have to do some paper workand go through a procedure to interview them because we cant just simply interview top

management. Then, we have to come up with a list of questionnaires to assist us on collecting

data and information regarding the organization. We did survey about the bank through some

customers as our respondents to complete our project.

For my Investment subject, we were required to monitor buying and selling stock indexes

in Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) market as a stimulation programme. We have to

keep an eye on the buying, selling and last price for the day on some particular share index

that we choose. Then, we were trained when is the right timing to sell or buy a unit of stock


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and how to rotate the money in the share market with maximum profit and minimum risk of

loss.

As a science social undergraduate, it was compulsory for me to take my minor in the

Institute Of Conservation and Bio- Technology (IBTP). For the minor subjects, we need to do

lab experiment such as operating a frog, fish, mice, hamster and flowers on the differences of

their breathing and breeding system. We were on tour for a week or more for the field works

and we have to build our own camp or tent. The worst thing is that we have to cook

ourselves, bathing with ice cold water, getting bitten by mosquitoes and insects. Later, I

realize that, its a way to make students fall in love the nature and to be independent. There,

we were taken to a reserve forest to observe the cycle of living, and watch the activities of the

living creatures especially insects and birds. We also collect and gather types of soils, leaves,

roots, flowers and fruits as our samples to do a portfolio. I gain knowledge on few kind of

different flora and fauna, the scientific names and I did also gone through a memorable

experience that is unforgettable.

I also have learnt to use the SPSS software in completing my Statistic subjects

assignment. I was getting headache on how to proceed with the SPPS because its all

numbers and graphs. But, later I learn and manage to cope with the problem little by little.

Moreover, I have experience creating and designing up our own web page in my System

Management Learning. As I have a little knowledge before on computers, it helped me a lot

to polish my skills.

Sometimes in lecture hall, I and my coursemates need to do presentation base on the

power point slides. There, we have a change to proof ourselves that we are also talented as

others in attracting and mesmerizing the audience by the style and technique of presenting.

Besides, I also started to build my self-esteem there by braving up myself, standing in front of

people, explaining and presenting my work. Furthermore, we participate in conducting

seminars organize by the clubs and University incollaboration with other educational

organization in Kota Kinabalu. I did improve my communication skills and leadership skills

in such ways.

While in the University, students have been taught theories through books, academic

articles, case studies and lecturer notes. But since we (students) were exposed to the industrial

training, we experience such a new understanding or knowledge in what is happening in

reality.

I have completed my practicum training stint at Jasa Merin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd Company

in Kemaman, Terengganu Darul Iman for duration of 12 weeks commencing 23 rd April 2007


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till 14th July 2007. During the practical training, I have been posted as a trainee to the JMM

Finance Department to gain first hand knowledge on accounts and financing related in the

maritime industry. As a trainee in Jasa Merin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd Companys finance and

account department, I have learnt a lot of new experience, skills and time management. The

actual office environment has prepared me mentally and physically to perform the tasks

during the practical training duration for 12 weeks.

I would like to thank my work supervisor Tuan Kamal Rul Allta (Finance Manager of

Jasa Merin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd) and my senior accounts and finance department staffs

(colleagues) for their encouragement and supports throughout the practical training period.

I surf internet and read articles as a general knowledge about marine industries before I

join the Jasa Merin Malaysia Company. I do study about the company background and ask

my father (a staff in JMM Company) about the office environment up to date. All the staffs of

JMM Company are very efficient, professional, cooperative and sociable to mingle around.

Since joining the maritime company as a trainee, I have learnt how to use the office

equipments such as the fax machine, and photocopy machine. Now, I am capable to use the

typewriter and type faster with fewer mistakes. Furthermore, I am able to do systematic

filing, make courier and handle incoming calls.

Theoretically the Collection of Data, Analysis of Transactions, Recording of

Transactions in the Journal, Posting of Transactions in the Ledger and Preparation of the

Trial Balance are the steps in the accounting cycle. This accounting cycle were done by

manual system in many small companies years back.

Currently, most of the steps performed can be done faster through new technology such

as computers. The computers were instructed to follow the steps in order to perform the

tasks. The instruction and steps embedded in the computers are called as programme. A

group of programme is known as software. Hence, all tasks programmed can be completed by

computers.

Jasa Merin (Malaysia)s has its own software called JMM Smart Accounting software.

There is a lot of programme for preparing the company employees salary and crew wages, to

key in Payment Voucher (PV), invoice, and much more. The data entered into the computer

were arranged in a group known as database. Data can be retrieved from database and

arranged according to any format needed. For example, account entry in the journal, the

ledger, and the preparation of the trial balance and the financial statements.

But, the Finance and Accounting Department in Jasa Merin (Malaysia) still use manual

system (record by hand) to prepare Cash Book.


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requisitions are made, how the requisition is approved, the suppliers send the customer

quotation and how the quotations were selected through tender process. Then how purchase

order are created and sent to the suppliers, later the goods or services are delivered and the

JMM Company receives the delivery order and invoice. Later on the finance and account

department will proceeds the invoice settlement or payment via cheque, telegraphic transfer

or demand draft after the purchase voucher (PV) is created and approved by the top

management of Jasa Merin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd Company.

Meanwhile, the tender and purchase department executive staff trained me on how to do

the food provision budget for all the JMM vessels. The appropriate price times with quantity

requested from a vessel and later the grand total will be compared with the budgeted amount

given for 15 days of operation of a vessel. If the food provision quotation is within the budget

then the quotation will be proceed and approved.

Eventough there are many methods to calculate depreciation value such as Straight line

method, Units of - Output method or Production method, Sum of the years digit

method and Declining Balance method. Jasa Merin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd Company use the

Straight line method to calculate its assets depreciation value. Besides that, the JMM Sdn.

Bhd Company also use the First in First out (FIFO) method to identify its cost of goods sold

eventough there are few techniques or way to calculate the cost of goods sold.

During the practical training, I also gain knowledge about Employees Provident Fund

(EPF) and Social Security Organization (SOCSO). EPF provides retirement benefits for

employees through their savings in an efficient and reliable manner for their own future. The

current rate of EPF contribution is 23% of the employee's wages of which 11% is from the

employee's monthly wage while 12% is contributed by the employer.

Meanwhile SOCSO provide social security protection immediately, accurate, and quality

service economically to all employees in Malaysia. Many companies including Jasa Merin

Malaysia Sdn. Bhd Company use the Employment Injury Insurance Scheme and Invalidity

Pension Scheme. This means that the payment of the contribution is made by both the

employer and employee. An employee could claim for his or her SOCSO when the employee

is medically proven as disable to work anymore.

The company had launched 2 new vessels in Port Klang and both vessels were launched

in different days. The entire Jasa Merin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd Manager, few staffs representing

each department, trainees and big bosses went to the launching for 3 days. On the launching

day, I meet many foreigners mainly the JMM Companys suppliers and customers from

India, Sweden, Singapore, and England. It was an exciting and thrilling experience to witness


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the huge ships to slide in the sea. Climbed on top of the ship and saw every edge of the ship

for the first time just make me more excited. We (JMM employees) enjoy a candle light

dinner on the ship pantry while the ship is sailing. We trainees as well as the crew members

and staffs were given the Company T- shirt and Cap to wear them on the Vessel Launching

Day.

Unlike other companys employees, this JMM Companys employees were given a lot of

benefits and facilities such as they were given breakfast and teatime with different kinds of

food every day, along with 1 pm till 2 pm (1 hour) lunch break. The employee or staffs in the

office are free to eat any time they want. The bosses will always buy plenty of fruits and food

when they go outstation and place it in the office pantry so that all the staff could enjoy the

fruits and food.

The top management (big bosses) really care for their employees welfare. Recently, the

company had their Family Day in Pulau Redang, Terenganu for 3 days fully sponsored by

the management. Its the most beautiful island that I have ever been. We did really enjoy

ourselves there. The employees and their family members were given medical facilities in

three (3) of the JMM Companys panel clinics around Kemaman and Labuan. The employees

can also claim for their treatment and medical check up in specify Specialist Centre.

The Company have a Group Insurance for all of it employees, that covers medical

insurance, hospitalization and dead. If an employee die while he or she in service, his or her

family will get some amount as compensation from the company. If an employees father,

mother or in - laws died, the company management will give about RM 1000 as funeral

donation for their family. The JMM employees also get retirement benefits according to the

number of year in service plus the retirement party. In the JMM office, a female employee

retirement age is 50 years old and male employees around 55 years old (excluding crew

member on the vessel). Crew on vessel can work eventough after reaching 60 years old but

with condition he is healthy, capable and has experiences.

The staff or an employee who goes outstation was given travelling allowances including

fuel charge, highway toll charge and hotel room payment. Means, the employee can claim the

charges at the JMM account and finance department upon arriving at the office. Not only

that, but the JMM Company also provide food allowances while the employee goes on

outstation work.

Since joining the JMM Company, I notice that the employees are taking advantage. Such

as coming 10-20 minutes late to the office (usually the office hour starts at 8 am) and go

home early before office hour ends at 5 pm whenever the bosses are not around. They listen


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to the radio while working and some listen to online radio through their notebooks given for

office work purpose. It is not that the JMM staffs are less efficient but lack of ethical value

and discipline. They accidentally use the freedom given by the top management improper

way. The management should warn their employees and take action about this matter. They

should sent them to professional courses and seminars for motivation, thus to improve the

employees efficiency and company performance.

I suggest that students in University itself have to be sent to courses maybe 1 to 2 weeks

before they step in to the industrial training. This is to mentally prepare the future students so

that they are aware of the reality happening around the office environment. Maybe after they

joined as a trainee in a company, the company management could give them a warm briefing

on the first day. Perhaps, briefing on how to handle any emergency situation in the company,

how to communicate and mix or mingle around with their colleagues. Moreover, I think that

future students shall not be threaten as trainee and ordered to do simple job or task such as

filing, do faxing, typing, and photocopying documents. But a trainee also should be

considered as an employee in that company and were trained based on the student knowledge

or field during their industrial training period.

Then after my graduation, I joined worked in Atmajaya Enterprise an engineering core

business. I work as an accounts executive for one and a half years. As the enterprise has an

office in Kuantan worksite, I have to go there with the site manager sometime to gather the

account database and so on. Then, I have to key in the data in a software system that I

recommend the enterprise to purchase. I have been sent by my management for classes to

learn the software about 72 hours tutorial in three (3) weeks time.

I was getting bored there as my boss will always go outstation and vacation. I am the one

who have to supervise his clerks and office. I have to carry a big responsibility there but I

knew that I am still a new comer and I tried my level best to cope. When my boss came, I

told him that I am trying to get a new job due to some internal problem in the enterprise

among the employees. But, he requested me to do carry out my task as a part-time worker as

some of them are not really familiar with accounts.

Later, I receive a call from Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kemaman (as I sent my resume

previously) to be a temporary teacher in a primary school here for 3 months. I have been

teaching Bahasa Malaysia, Mathematics, and Music for year 1, 2 and 3 pupils. Then, I was

sent to another primary school to teach English for year 3 and 4 pupils. I started to enjoy

myself while teaching and mingling with the pupils. Its like my own sweet school times

came alive. After that, I was sent to 3 more schools in Kemaman rural area but 2 of it were


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secondary schools. I have felt swing, teaching Form 1 till Form 5 students. I teach them

English, Literature, Pendidkan Sivik dan Kewarganegaraan, Science and have been a class

teacher for 3 months time. Thats where I found out my voice (talking in high and loud tone).

Its all a chapter, learning journey in my life and there are more to come.

learning jouney 1

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