Editorial Board Managing Editor Marianee Mamat Assistance Editor Rusmaria Ma-ae Columnist & Translation Director Karimah Waehayee Translation Columnist Sumaiyah Waha Columnist & Production Fattama Jehsoh Articles Editor Suraiya Timung Editorial Secretary Comsah Lateh Art & Designer Fattama Jehsoh Graphic Designer Mu’min Al-adam Big Thanks to our supervisors: Suraiya Sulaiman Fa-ezah Wasoh Fatimah Jeharsae Wardah Sadeeyamu for tireless dedication, help and moral support This magazine is a partial fullfilment of a course 417-463 Senior Project English Major, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus Š 2016 Start Up Magazine. all rights reserved.
From the Bottom of Our Hearts First of all, we would like to say that it is a pleasure to meet the readers of Start Up Magazine. The magazine will introduce our readers to the world of work through the column about different careers. As Bo Jackson, a former American baseball player said, “Set your career goals high, and do not stop till you get there.” We would like to inspire our readers to keep going for their dream jobs, and be a guide for our readers who may be struggling to find their future career. Beside the column of careers, “Start Up” also contains various interesting columns including extra-curricular activities, job interviews preparation with Somsri, work attire, and self-learning tips. After all, Start Up team hopes that our magazine will make the readers enjoy the contents in each column. The readers will spark some ideas after reading Start Up Magazine. Most importantly, we hope that the readers will be inspired by the ideas and the examples of successful people we presented in the magazine. This will be a good start for our readers to pursue their careers. Best regards, Start Up Team
Contents Self-Learning Tips
05
Extra-curricular Activities
14
Occupations
24
Job Interviews Preparation with SOMSRI
40
Work Attire
46
Listening Skill Speaking Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill
ASEAN-Korea Frontier Forum Au Pair Work and Travel AFLES Program
Medical Representative Customer Service Administration Copywriter Aviation
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16 18 20 22
25 28 31 34 37
SelfLearning Tips
Listening Skill What’s on your mind? Status
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Saen Bunsanong 16 mins •
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I think I really like English listening skill because I always listen to music, variety shows, news, and so on in English language and I do not like to read books.(laughing) Especially, I like to play games online and watch American movies. I am sure if you always listen to them, your listening skill will improve gradually.
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Listening Skill Saen Bunsanong 2 hrs •
In my free time, I always listen to English music band, (such as Draft Punk-Pentatonix), American football News, baseball and boxing. And also I like to watch American movies such as Shawshank Redemption. All of these can improve my listening skill.
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Saen Bunsanong 4 hrs •
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I have some tips to give you for improve English listening skill. - Keep listening to whatever you love or like in English language - Make yourself familiar with various English accents - Listen to various pronunciation of the words you do not know the meaning
Speaking Skill 5 Posts
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EDIT YOUR PROFILE My name is Nasree Petaksukson, I am a senior student. My major is English, PSU-PN. Thank you for follow and like my pictures.
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When I was a freshman, I was an MC in Bye Freshy Project at PSU. I will tell you how to be a good MC. For me, before I get onto a real stage, I need to know my duty and event details. As such, I reread more information about schedule of events, performance, or parties such as names of important people, fair and exhibition. I precisely read the information of a schedule and perform my task as an MC. I can luckily adapt this speaking skill for in my English classes. #PSU #HowToBeAGoodMC #NewExperience
Thank you that day to make me be confident. In my first class, I studied English Listening and Speaking. The teacher asked all students to introduce themselves in front of the class. Then the teacher needed a volunteer but no one wanted to try. I thought that if I did not decide to be a volunteer, I still had to be the first because my class number was one. Thus, I introduced myself and try to speak like a native accent. After that, I got big claps and good feedbacks from my friends. This event encouraged me a lot to speak. #MyStory #FirstYear
Speaking Skill Bye Freshy’s stage has been the most impressive stage which was want by many of freshmen. It was my first time to be an MC. The path of being an MC is not as easy as many people think. Passing the audition, and practicing for several months were what I did. #MyFirstStageMC
Tip to be a good speaker in English Preparing the script before I getting onto the stage is the way I do, but for presentation in the classroom, preparing the script is not my way. I just remember the topics and I use incessant speaking to presentation. I often watch American movies, listening to music, and learn how to be the best MC from good speakers on Youtube. All of these ways improve my listening, and I can adapt for my speaking as well.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.”
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“ My moral ” #KeepFighting mm_adm Love this quote! karimah_w That’s so true. ayumi_jung You really inspire me to be like you. sumaijn I am strongly agree with you. ana-ismee_surai... Yup. 61fff All the best. comzaa_232 Really nice! ma_former... You made me more confident.
Reading Skill
Hazwanee Kodae “Supporting from my parents is the reason for loving reading. I just let them know any books I want to read, they will provide it for me. They always concern about my reading. That’s why I love reading now.” #LoveReading #MyEnglish
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Henry James, Munin Saiprasart, Wongthanong Chainarong Singha #MyBelovedWriters #MyEnglish
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Reading Skill
Hazwanee Kodae English and Thai novels, General Psychology books, Kai Hua Roh, TRY, Daisy Miller #MyFavoriteBooks #MyEnglish
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1. Begin reading with a book you like. 2. If you do not really like reading, you should start to read from cartoons or a book with short passages like “Roundfinger.” 3. Scanning the whole page before going through the details. It will not make you feel bored. 4. Keep reading every day and anytime you are free. #MyTips #MyEnglish
Writing Skill
Worakarn Noosuk Dec 1 03:05 AM
“Falling in love with writing”
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Worakarn Noosuk Dec 3 02:50 AM
“Grammar is just a supplementary for making the writing works clear, the IDEA is a real importance.” Like • Comment
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Writing Skill
Worakarn Noosuk Dec 6 05:05 AM
Many people ask me that what made me create the best writing. To be honest, I rarely read grammar books, but I love listening to music and watching movies. Spending time with them made me familiar with the language. Both music and movie enhance my English and improve my writing skill indeed. Like • Comment
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Worakarn Noosuk Dec 12 11:50 AM
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What I can do is just trying to use English in daily life by myself since no one around me use English language.
Extracurricular Activities
The ASEAN-Korea Frontier Forum The ASEAN-Korea Frontier Forum is one of the exchange programs to Korea offered by the National Youth Commission. It’s a program where youth from ASEAN countries contribute their knowledge and understanding in strengthening the relationship of young leaders of ASEAN countries and the Republic of Korea. College and master’s students who participate in this program have backgrounds in Diplomacy, International Relations, International Studies, or Asian Studies. (Reference: ASEAN-Korea Frontier Forum, n.d. Retrieved from 15 October 2016. https://www.pinoyyouthmeetsworld. wordpress.com/nyc-programs/asean-korea-frontier-forum)
The Au Pair The Au Pair is a program that opens up an opportunity for an unmarried adult aged 18 to 30 years to improve language skills. People who attend the program will help the host family with childcare and can be asked to assume some light household tasks. In return, the host family provides free board and lodging, as well as pocket money. If you are interested in the program, you can apply for the program through many agencies in Thailand. However, you should have some basic language skills beforehand. (Reference: What is an Au Pair?, 2016 Retrieved from 10 October 2016. https://www.aupaircare.com/host-families/program-overview)
(Reference: What is Work and travel USA program? 2013, n.d. Retrieved from 15 October 2016. http://www.vikingtravel. hr/en/work-and-travel)
AFLES The ASEAN Future Leaders Summit is a ten-day exciting program that invites student leaders from universities in the ASEAN region as well as other universities. This is the fourth endeavour in bringing partner universities under one program, aiming to enrich their students with leadership capabilities. This program intends to create a networking platform for participants to share ideas and knowledge on critical issues of higher education, leadership and student participation to aid in policy making and to create a sustainable tomorrow for the young generation. (Reference: The 4th ASEAN Future Leaders Summit (AFLES 2016), July 16, 2016 Retrieved from 10 October 2016. http:// www.akept.mohe.gov.my/main/?event=the-4th-asean-future-leaders-summit-afles-2016)
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Work and Travel Work and Travel is a U.S. Department of State program created in the 60s for students from around the world who want to visit America during the summer. This program is open to university students who want to experience another culture while earning money to support their stay. Work and Travel participants have a unique chance to experience the United States as more than just tourists, and to share their own traditions and culture with people from both the U.S.A and abroad. With Work and Travel USA program you can - improve your language skills - gain practical experience and you’ll have an international work experience that will make your CV more attractive - see a lot of new different and interesting places - learn about thousands of new funny, useful and interesting issues
ASEAN-Korea Frontier Forum
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I always remind myself that “ language is not about how much you know, but how much you use it. ”
My name is Badree Abdul Hamid. I am from Narathiwat. I graduated from Prince of Songkla University in 2015. I was an English majored student with Malay Language as a minor course. As the result of political stability and continuing development, the Republic of Korea is good example of fast growing country. South Korea is one of the leading countries in technological innovation and cultural promotes. The Republic’s concern on ASEAN’s affairs has attracted my attention. The 5th ASEAN-ROK Frontier Forum, therefore, was a good opportunity for me to share my idea. The program, which provided space for opinion sharing, dialogue, and intercultural exchange, enhanced my experience and good understanding on regional issue, not only inter-ASEAN related topics but also ASEAN-ROK relation. Moreover, I like to apply in any international program, as much as
possible, to learn the cultures and to improve my English skills. Plus, in this opportunity, I have got a lot of international friends who I never know before. Normally, the program is informed in social media and website. For me, I got the opportunity from my advisor, Dr. Supasiri Hongritthipan, who invited me to apply it. She asked me if I am interested in participating ASEAN-ROK program or not. I immediately answered “YES”. After getting information from her, I read it what program is about? Then I decided to apply by sending documents via FAX. At first, I thought I was not good enough to apply this program. However, I would try my best. The 5th ASEAN-Korea Frontier Forum was the stage for ASEAN-ROK youth to share the idea in 3 serious issues: disaster management, tourism industry, and youth job creation. It was great. I have learned how others think and express their ideas. Especially the Philippines, they are not only good in English, but also good in expressing their ideas. After the chairperson provided the question, they prepared just few minutes to an-
swer and their ideas were wonderful. Moreover, during the program, I have got an opportunity to travel around Busan, ROK. I really love this program not because it was set in the Republic of Korea, but it was amazing program to learn and share the ideas as well as culture of each other. I don’t want to recommend you only this program, but also all international programs for you to learn and know others. This is the thing I want to give to ones who just think that they are not good enough to apply any program but never try it: As being a participant among international friends, I have to communicate in English. It forced me to use my English skill as much as possible. Then, I would know myself what I need to improve.
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Chance is about 50 and 0. If you try, there are 50% to get it and 50% for not, but if you never try, you only have 0% for it.
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Au Pair
Dear readers, I am Faisa Wantaha. I graduated from the faculty of education, majoring in English and minoring in Physics in 2015. Today, I’m proud to introduce a program that is full of challenging experiences. The program is called “Au Pair”. Au Pair program is the exchange program under the visa J1 of the USA. The word “Au Pair” is used to call people who take care of children of a host family in a foreign country. Actually, the main work of the Au Pair is to be a babysitter. However, you are also required to attend a language course for 6 credits or 72 hours (Thai agency specify at least 80 hours per English course) at a college in the host country in order to get the certificate from the program. Nonetheless, you do not have to work every day, and you will be provided a week-long holiday. When I was a student, I felt I was not good enough in English, and I thought that going abroad was the best choice for me. So, after I finished my exams, I prepared to join this program. The main reason for choosing the Au Pair program is that it’s inexpensive and easy to apply. The fee for the program is almost-inclusive; you do not need to prepare extra money for the program.
Au Pair program helps me increase my speaking and listening skills because when I was in the US, I was forced by the environment to speak with foreigners every day. Additionally, there were other skills that I learned such as life skills, working skills, and thought-management skills. However, I also encountered some problems as an Au Pair. There are three main problems that I faced. The first one is about American children. Because they are freethinkers, I need to be patient when talking with them. The second one is about their parents. Parents have a high expectation for what they paid for, so sometimes they disappointed about my overall performance. The last one is about myself. I had to adapt myself a lot and deal with children. For readers who are interested in Au Pair program, I can just tell you that you have to be patient and pay full attention to what you do. The most important part is that you have to work hard and know how to deal with children. If you do not love to be with children, do not join this program. The other important part of this program is that you should be able to drive a car because you have to take children to and from school, to parks, playgroups and to do other activities.
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Niasree Naesee
I have been to Work and Travel program in America for 3 months. This program provides me freedom, I could find and plan my work by myself. Before I went to America, I had to choose a working place and later I could decide what I can do there. I choose McDonald’s store in Florida. When I arrived there, I went to find an extra job before I worked at McDonald’s. I applied for a job at Hana Japan (Japanese food). For two weeks, I worked as a chief to cook for customers and I really enjoyed with it . When
I worked at McDonald’s, making hamburgers and taking orders from customers were my duty. What I have learned here is about a service. For example, if we are preparing a wrong customer’s dish, they will return it immediately, then we had to accept our mistake, apologize and smile then, we did a new one to customer. My colleagues were very friendly. We can greet “Hey friend, what’s up man” to manager. It’s cozy and friendly environment.
While I worked at McDonald’s, I also applied other job to increse salary. I worked as a swims instrument seller like diving tools, swimsuit and so on at Alvin’s Island. Moreover, I have worked at the Pita Pit store where is sell healthy salad. Although I had to remember plenty vegetables, it was such a fun. Anyway, Halal food is hard to find here. Whenever I wanted to buy some food, I would have to carefully check. Sometime, I will buy rice, vegetable, egg and others from Walmart market to cook at my house. I stayed at the house that agencies prepared for us, there are many facilities like bathtub, heater, dishwasher and others. On the other hand, after I’ve gone this program, I cultivated new experiences and improved my English fluently. If anyone is interested this program. First of all, you have to find agencies to consider the job and state that you want to go. The difficult process to apply for this program is VISA processing because they will check your information and family thoroughly. The most important when you go for an interview is you have to show the interviewers that you can speak and understand native speakers correctly and confidently. So that you can survive in foreigner country. 21 | EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES // START UP
AFLES
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Program
Hello, I am Muhammadafif Sareh. I am a senior student of the English major at faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Last year, I had a chance to participate in “AFLES Program�. It stands for ASEAN Future Leaders Summit. This program is a simulation of ASEAN summit by bringing youth representatives from ASEAN countries. This program was established 4th year and I have participated in this program twice. Most activities in this program focused on workshop by staffs and lecturers who have knowledge about international politics and narrated about leadership. There were not just only the lectures, but there are games to be played together to create harmony and leadership. This program is very interesting because my dream job is consul and this program is one of the program that leads me to my destiny. It was the first camp I met a lot of foreigners and I also learned strange cultures that I have never known before such as the way Indonesian Muslim women salaam (shake hands) with gentle
men. It made me confused and I tried to explain about a proper way of greeting for that Muslim women. I really enjoyed activities in this program because I met new friends. I could practice my English skills, and also other languages such as Indonesian, Malay and Vietnamese language. I used English a lot because each ASEAN
takes place every summer vacation, you must always follow this program. When you see this program, you should rush for applicaion. You do not have to be afraid and worried about your English language skills. However, what you must consider is about the skills you want to get and the real reason you want to participate in this program. The way to apply for the program is that you have to print the application form and complete information in the application. There are some questions about psychological attitude. The committee will consider from what you wrote.
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country used different languages. Therefore, the language that we used in communication was English. First, my English was not fluent because I seldom used it in my daily life. Studying in the classroom, I usually spoke English with lecturers by using a scripts. When I had to used English I could not speak it well, I did not know how to choose proper words and also worry about grammar. After I participated in this program, my English skills were not much developed, but I had confidence in speaking. It made me more confident to speak and that was the beginning of my English development. Another skill I got was an solving unexpected problem skill because each day I did problem solving activities by using any method I could figure out in that limited time. To the readers who are interested in this program, you can follow the webpage of Prince of Songkla University. This program
Occupation
There is one Medical Representative we would like to present. He is a Medical Representative for contact between pharmaceutical and medical. He is a super idol English major students. Let’s know about him. Hi, could you introduce yourself? I am Faisol Hayima. I am a Medical Representative at Reckitt Benckiser Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand. I did my bachelor degree majoring in English and minoring in Information Communication Technology.
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Medical Representative
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What do you normally do in your work? Selling medical products by establishing contact and developing relationships with prospective customer; recommending solutions for them in case they encounter problems with our products. Maintaining relationships with clients by providing support, information, and guidance; researching and recommending new opportunities; recommending profit and service improvements. Identifying product improvements or new products by remaining current on industry trends, market activities, and competitors. Preparing reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information. Maintaining quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards. Maintaining professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-ofthe-art practices; participating in professional societies. Contributing to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
What is the good point of this job? Understanding the different needs of customers and serve what suit them most. How to build relationship with customers We are selling things each day. For instance, when we say, ‘Guys!!What we are going to have for lunch today?” This is how we sell our ideas and give suggestion to our friends in daily life. Now you have the answer what’s so important about sales representative. Moreover, making the speech to be credible to customers is important for this career. I have been a good listener to customers. Simply listen more, talk less. Be a real man and soon you can create make a sincere friendship. Which skills are necessary for your job? Mostly, reading and writing are used in this job.You need a also multi-tasking skill and a “can do” mind-set. Do you have to adapt anything in your life after doing this job? I have to be more discipline about everything.
Do you wear the uniform or not? Yes, we have formal uniform. How much is the starting salary for this job? It starts at THB 35000 Bahts. What has inspired you to do this job? Money and time Does the job change your daily life or any perspective? Not much
“ Work smart and make each day the best of the best ”
What is the most impressive part of your job? I have a good leader in my team. Why did you choose English as your major? Personally, I thought English would be very useful for my future career and can also help improve my knowledge in different fields. I got some opportunities as I studied this major, it was totally full of excitements as I traveled to ten countries during my university life. Do you have any tips to improve your English skills? If you want to be good at writing, then read more and if you want to be good at speaking listen more. That’s what it is.
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Customer service Are you service mind? If you answer is “YES”, I would like to present a job that is very suitable for you.in this page a new graduate man, Burikan Maming will share his experience of being a customer service.
Hello Burikan. We glad to know that you got a job. Where do you work now? I’m working at TechMiatra Ltd. Bangkok, Thailand. The head-quarter of the company is located in India. The company has many branches in Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. First, I started working in Malaysia but I was assigned to work in Thailand. What is your position now? Now, I’m working as an Associate Language Specialist, which is a part of customer service or customer support.
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What is the difference of each branch? The kind of project of each branch are different. For Thailand, we are responsible for website and application of movie. My main duty is taking care of customers when they have some problems. Do you create the concept of the project by yourself? The project was assigned by the head-quarter of the company. What kind of work do you do each day? My main work is to reply to customers’ emails. The officers have their own password to log-in so, we can reply to customers’ emails all the time. The customers’ massage can come through many ways like twitter, facebook, and e-mail. What language are you using to communicate with customers? When we reply to customers’ e-mail, we often use Thai. Then we need to translate to English to report to our boss, who is a foreigner.
Which English skills do you use on your work? All English skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and especially translation. Besides, the critical thinking skill and problem solving skill are the most important in this job. How much do you use the English language? I use partially English and Thai. What qualification is required by the company? Actually, the experience about customer servicer for 1 year is needed. Luckily for a new graduates who are interested in IT and has many skills like speaking, listening, and writing is required too. How will you do when you get stuck on any work’s problem? It is normally for communication with customers through e-mail. Since we cannot see customers’ facial expression, we do not know how exactly customers feel. What we can do is guessing through the word or the sentence they express. The most importance for solving customers’ problem is trying to understand the problems they are facing. If we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, we can be successful in taking care of them. Satisfaction of customer is our pride.
Which part of your work do you impress the most? The most impression is colleagues because the success of the company depends on teamwork. All 9 person of each branch which are
Is there anything else you are impressed besides the colleagues? I’m very grateful that the company gave me a special chance to work here. Although I am not graduated with IT and has no much the knowledge about IT skill. How much are the salary and the welfare you got per month? The salary is about 36,000 baht per month but there is no any welfare. Luckily, in the case of going to work in Malaysia, they will prepare airfare for free. Is there any opportunity to get a promotion? Yes, they will consider from our working performance. If we do well, we can also extend
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How long have you worked there? I have been working here for 2 month. I stared working on July 27, 2016.
located in Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand will help each other’s as well. Although we are in different countries, we always help each other to solve the customers’ problem for make them proud in our service.
the employment contract too. The employment contract is not permanent, we have to extend it year by year.
What is the name of that website? Jobstreet, the website for helping job seekers find their dream jobs.
Do you have a tip for learning English? I often watch English movies and variety shows, listen to music, and read books. My most important tip is collecting gradually, I try to collect vocabulary every time I did those activities.
There are many excellent people who want to do this job, why do you think you can get it? The main point was my interview. I prepared for interview perfectly that made me get the job. Before I went for an interview, I read the review about popular question for interview on the internet. Then, I learned how to answer them to make the interviewer impressed.
Do you get a success from your tip? Yes, it absolutely works for me. Since I was not good at English, I keep speaking by using easy patterns. When I was sophomore, I love to watching English breakfast, a TV show that you can learn English along with enjoyment. Sometimes, I did not understand what they were talking about even though they are Thais because they spoke very fast. However, it had a subtitle for me to read. Spending much time with English made me more familiar with vocabulary. Also, whenever I was free, I would read Bangkok Post, British Council, VOA news website to improve my reading skill.
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How could you find out this job? I found the job from a website. Then, I posted a resume on this website and filled my information in the application form.
Is there definite time of your work? In Malaysia, I work in shifts. There are two shifts: morning shift from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and afternoon shift from 3 p.m. – 12 p.m. On the other hand, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. is the shift for Thailand. Is there official time of your company? My company has no OT(Overtime) but there is a night shift. They will add about 3,000 Baht per person who work at Malaysia. Are grades important to apply for this job? They just see the grade just when we apply. The grade is not important on work at all. The company considered me from how I excellent I am on working. Finally, could you tell something to readers who are interested in this job? Studying is hard but finding a job is harder. It does not mean that you cannot do it like “it is not easy and it is not too difficult”. We have to prepare ourselves as when we wanted to enter the university. We have to know what our strengths is and how we can fight with others who graduated in the same time. Also, find something difference to others.
Administration The career that we will talk from now on is the career requiring anyone who have an interpersonal skill. It is a well-known this career that we believe everyone knows. Yes, it is what in your mind “COMPANY SECRETARY”. This secretary girl “Weena Lambensa” who works at a great company names Trans Thai-Malaysia (Thailand) Limited, we would like to share with you her experience for being a secretary. This page will bring all of you know about the secretary and you will get the answer why interpersonal skill is needed for this career Hello, Weena. What do you do now? I am currently a company secretary for Trans Thai-Malaysia (Thailand) Limited, which is a joint venture company between PTT Public Company Limited of Thailand (PTT) and Petroleum Nasional Berhad of Malaysia (PETRONAS). What is qualification of a good secretary? As company secretary is the connecting point between the management and the Board of Directors as well as a company and investors, they should have an interpersonal skill to be able to contact with people at all levels. In addition, they need to concern about the company’s compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
What would you do first between taking notes or listening to your meeting? I will listen first and summarize the points of the items discussed. Typhically, the meeting of the formal meetings for example Board meeting of the formal meeting for example Board meeting should contain 3 parts: fact, debate and resolutions. First, you need to record the fact of the items discussed. Then, for the debate parts, you may opt to record only the questions and answers relevant to the item discussed. Finally for the resolutions part, it has to be clearly spelt out what are the conclusions from the meeting..
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Can you tell us how your work is? And what are the responsibilities of your position? In brief, my job responsibilities include arranging meetings for the Shareholders, Board of Directors and Board Sub-Committee as well as coordinating to ensure that all resolutions have been implemented and complied with the Company’s Articles of Association. Also, they cover ensuring the compliance of the company and the Board of Directors with the relevant laws, rules & regulations and preparing and keeping important documents of the company.
How do you take notes when you have a meeting or work? I will study first on what the agenda items are all about. Then, during the meeting discussion, I will note down the points only the discussions relating to the items discussed and I make a summary of the meeting resolutions. How do you make a good relationship between the organization and co-workers? I will build and maintain my own networking both internal and external organization to get things done. With good networking, you can get things done easily without so many red tape processes. What skills in English do you use in your job? English is a medium language of communication in a joint venture company like Trans Thai-Malaysia (Thailand) Limited. (TTM) I have to use my English skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in my daily business correspondence. For example in presentation, minutes of the meeting, emails correspondence are all in English.
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Do you have meeting abroad? My meetings are normally held twice in a quarter or additional meetings occasionally. Meetings usually take place on alternate basis between Thailand and Malaysia. Typically, it will be in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Off-site meeting would be done occasionally as agreed among the meeting members.
What is your impression in your work? It is my pleasure to work with the Board of Directors comprising of senior executives from Petroleum Nasional Berhad of Malaysia (PTT) and (PETRONAS). Dealing with people at a very high level makes you gain an invaluable insights of how they see things conceptually and how they can make decisions to drive the company in many challenging circumstances. Their ways of thinking and decision making are my model in doing works. When you face some problem how do you solve them? Generally, my duties are about meeting management. I need to plan properly and fix the corporate meetings early of the year so that the others can use my calendar for other internal meeting purpose. When you have to work with people at different levels, you need to manage time efficiently and adhere to specific deadlines.
Do you have any suggestions for this job if the readers are interested in? You need to know first about job responsibilities of company secretaries. Public limited companies are legally required to employ a company secretary in compliance with Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission Act and many private companies also have the role but not well known in Thailand so far. Typically, company secretaries are responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with standard financial and legal practice and maintains high standards of corporate governance. Although they are not strictly required to provide legal advice, company secretaries must have a thorough understanding of the laws that affect their areas of work. Company secretaries hold a strategic position at the heart of governance operations within an organization and act as a point of communication between the board of directors and company shareholders, reporting in a timely and accurate manner on company procedures and developments. They can also provide an important link between the board of directors and an organization’s executive management.
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Could you please advise how to apply for this job? In general, you can go to the job hunter website such as www.jobsdb.com. Check your interest, make your resume available and send to them. Ensure that you note down the jobs you have applied because when they call you for an interview, you can remember easily what jobs you had applied for. In particular to my company Trans Thai-Malaysia (Thailand) Ltd. (TTM), you can surf TTM website directly at www.ttm-jda.com. I found a vacancy from the Company’s website and I sent it directly to Human Resources Division.
Please tell us the tips to be good in English? You have to create English learning environment surrounding yourself in terms of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Listen to media in English. Try to listen to various English accents. Speaking imitating conversations from movies in English. You have to read articles and write in English to check the level of your English proficiency whether you can write grammatically correct English.
Copywriter
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“Reading more on different kinds of magazine enable me to broaden my ideas and thoughts to better my magazine” said by Marvanee Ma-lee, an assistant witer at Native Media Limited Company. If you want to know more about het job. Let’s check it out!! What is your job description? The main duty of my work is writing magazine and articles; it is up to the customers that they want. We have to interview various people for example: I interview doctor or famous people of organization or company.
What is the nature of your work? We had to try to adjust our work as we tried to satisfy our customer’s needs. We spent time together with our customers to have clear thought in the first time when starting our project. Our customers need to review all of contents that we did first. Then, when we prepared contents about what we supposed to do; we handed in to the customers. Later, they would agree and we could work on the project. The contents from the interview will be set into a written form and if our customers would extend the details; we are always willingly to do upon our customers’ requests.
How do you manage your work? We prioritize the works up to their importance and urgent. Which skill considers to be the most important to this job? Both skillful translation and interviewing.
How did you had an attitude about this job before you work? I planned my focus on my work not the money actually. I chose to be happy and devoted my work wholeheartedly.
How could you find out for this job? When I worked as content editor, there was someone praise me that “your writing was good.” Because of this, I decided to apply for copywriter and finally I got an offer to work. Could you advise the readers who are truly interested in this career? How to prepare and qualify to be part in the career? Actually, anyone could be a writer but you should practice a lot of writing. You should keep reading the books which you like as much as you can. It would help your writing skill better.
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What skills did you get from this job? We learned how to work systematically. We had to plan on what we are going to write in our articles carefully. We had to master in writing. In the part of introductory, we need to find and read the work of others before. Then, we had to be thinking and writing it.
Is there anything you have to adapt at working in this job? I personally improved my writing skill. Despite like to write, I learned how to love and appreciate with my writing. I admitted myself that I was not a perfect writer. So there were plenty rooms for me to improve. On top of that, listening to my editor’s advices and suggestions enable me to brush and enlighten my job undoubtedly. Besides, I learned how to put my words appropriately when I had to deal with customers. And surprisingly, I learned how to use and send fax professionally.
Copywriter There is one more copywriter we would like to present. She is a copywriter for many years. Let’s knowabout her. Hi, could you introduce yourself? My name is Noppawan Ngenphum. I am a senior copywriter at Leoburnett Thailand. What is your job description? The copywriter’s job description is thinking the idea to do an advertisement, and also being responsible for writing any passage on all kinds of advertising media such as on television, on radio, on printed media, on the website, and so on.
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How do you cope with the problem when you have to do many works at the same time? In reality, I could not choose the work that I would like to do because I was just an employee. Whatever works my boss asked me to do I had to do. If I was not expert in the work he asked, I searched the information about that work as much as I could. In case, there are many jobs I had to do at the same time, I would do the important ones first. Which skills are considered to be the most important for this job? Creative skill and the the of writing for many kinds of work, including having an ability to use a computer program is required for this job.
How was your perspective for this job before you do it? Firstly, I though the copywriter was a kind of work that can use freethinking. However, it was not the same as I thought at all. This work has many limitations because of the customers’ requirement. I faced with many kinds of customers so, the persuasion skills very useful for helping my work smoothly. Is there anything you have to adapt to work in this job? When I worked as a copywriter, I adapted myself to be ready for all situation. Moreover, it is very good for yourself if you are the one who has a wide perspective, has fun with learning new things, has alert, and has challenging work lover. How could you find this job? I knew a copywriter from social media. Do you have anything to tell readers who are interested in working as a copywriter? How do they need to prepare for being a copywriter? Most important thing is that you should be sure you are the one who likes to think, to write, and to create new ideas all the time. A copywriter is a work that you have to think all the time. It is very useful for you if you are all personalities as I said. Moreover, it is a kind of work that under the condition and specific time. Being a copywriter is not too difficult. You should learn about what the copywriter does and create many kinds of work like creating TV advertising, viral online, radio spot, printed advertising. Another key point is always looking and learning an advertising of your country and foreign country. Can you share some tips to be good in writing? I just read a lot for being good in writing. However, if you know who is your target group and also their personality or lifestyle, you can choose the words properly and correctly.
Aviation
Are you looking for the fieldwork about aviation? If you answer “YES”, we really congratulate you because this page prepares the process of working as an aviation. A woman who has experience of being an aviation for many years is here for you to know all about an aviation. Hi, could you introduce yourself? My name is Rusnee Mustafa. I am working at The Civil Aviation at Aviation Authority of Thailand. I am graduated Bachelor’s degree in Faculty Humanities and Social Science, English major from Thaksin University, Songkhla and Master’s degree from the Faculty of Liberal Arts, English major from Thammasat University. Would you mind to tell us about your working place? My workplace is an independent entity of government. I am working control all airports in country of security departure. What is your position? I am working as Aviation Security and Facilitation Standard Department manager.
What does your duty like? I have a duty to control all security of an element of the airport such as I will check the security of the plane before the plane departure and also check all a security manager working in the airport.Then sometimes, I will check the security of the airport in whole country such as Suvarnabhumi airport, Donmuang airport and other airport in local provinces.
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Where is your working department? I work at head office, Sathorn, Bangkok.
How often did you spend on checking each airport? The frequency of inspection is based on risk assessment. How to check security at an airport? Annually, I will draft proposals first before I go to survey the area. I will not survey all 26 airports, especially when I have to go to survey the airport where there are a lot of passengers, services and airlines like Suvarnabhumi airport and Donmuang airport. There will be risk and problem easily. So, I will check these airports every year. For example, this year I will check security in 18 airports in the whole country. How often do you work in abroad? Every year, we usually attend the security training meetings and we plan to improve on this year and prepare for next year. Which country do you usually go for meeting? I went to more than 15 countries such as America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Laos and Malaysia.
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How to prepare for an urgent meeting in abroad? First, I have to know which country I will go. So, an organizer lets to me know at least 3 days in advance to prepare visa and passport. Then, for a meeting I will prepare about the content of the meeting in order to discuss and meeting. Lastly, after coming back from abroad, I will make a report and present to the director.
How to apply for your position? I graduated Bachelor’s degree and got first-class honors. My university has informed our student to apply a job in the office of the civil service commission. At that time, the organization was lacking of these positions. So, they contact with the Commission level to checklist students who got first-class honors and contact to examination in these positions. After that I got a job and started to work as international affair officer position for 12 years. On these, I had duty to communicate with oversea aviation then, I move to working as Aviation Security and Facilitation Standard Department manager later. Why do you decide to relocate your position? Because I would rather to work on document more than communicate. What is your dominant feature work? I have to know the rules of the organization and also to know the technical terms about security. How to remember technical terms? I always read and remember.When I work longer I can remember easily.
What is your impassive work? I got challenged and opportunity to go abroad.
Is TOEIC needed in the position? Absolutely, 550 for general staff and 650 for inspector. What is your tip to learn English? You have to read a lot of books such as newspapers.You should spend at least 5 minutes per day that make you learn writing and
what is the barrier at work? Due to I was not graduated in Civil Aviation directly. First, I was a new employee and I got vocabulary barrier after that I tried to remember all technical terms. What’s working time? Time 08:30 am – 05.00 pm. Day Monday – Friday(weekdays)
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How to apply this work? You can send a resume for writing test and be ready with interview.
listening to music you should spend your day improve your writing, enhance your listening. By listening to English music, you will cultivate new accents and you get familiar with those accents passionately. From my experience, it is wise to understand and speak with a variety of English accents. Because there are several accent; it is very important to understand and communicate with new accents.
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Job Interviews Preparation with SOMSRI
Hello to all job seekers. I am Somsri, a new graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English. I heard that some of you are afraid of job interviews. As I already got a job recently, I will share my simple guides about job interviews that can guarantee your success. Before I let you know my interview tips, I definitely want to present a tool which is really useful for job seekers.
The fastest job search engine for job seekers in order to pair the most suitable talents with the job vacancies. It is a website that I found my job. You can fill in any words that are related to the job on a small box on the head of the website. Then, tons of jobs will appear for you to choose. Besides, there are many interesting job passages, for examples, a new graduated passage, how to do a great job, and so on.
Now, let’s learn about some important tips on job interviews. One small part of going to a job interview that many people ignore is the outfits. Your outfit is one that can show how professional you are for the business. It will impress your interviewers at first sight. Because of this, you should be careful in choosing and outfit. Your outfit should be formal and neat, and it should have a professional look. (If you do not know what a formal, neat, pressed, or professional look is, please go to the next column. We have already prepared for all of you the outfits that are suitable for going to an interview.)
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Lacking of knowledge about the company is not good for you at all. Before you go for an interview, you should acquire the knowledge of the company as much as you can. It shows that you are ready to work for the company.
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During the interview, you should give a straight-to-the-point answer and don’t forget to give examples to make your answers clear. Also, eye contact during the interviewer is the best way to show your confidence. A job interview is a time you can present how much you are suitable for the work. It also allows you to show as many of your strong points as possible.
it is the ssary, e t c e n n u ow tha ay to sh r e t o w t s e b ce r e s in pany. you a m o c r the work fo hing One t after uld do o h s u yo sendrview is t e n te in e th r it handw in g a email ly d frien r o te o n in t e r k the n a h t o t ugh, . A lt h o ore r e w ie v n eople ig se many p au c e b is to do th k that it is in they th
However, don’t be sad if you fail the interview. Bear in mind that every interview is a learning experience. Your next interview is going to be better and finally, you will be offered a job because of the lessons have learned from your former interview.
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Before I finish the tips of how to succeed in a job interview, there is one thing I want to present to you. It can help you raise up a salary, or it can help you get a job more easily. Many companies require this qualification. Many people probably know the thing that I’m going to tell you. Yes! I’m going to tell you about TOEIC.
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TOEIC or Test of English for International Communication is an English test for works and students who are going to work when they graduate. For Thailand, TOEIC is a basic qualification required in almost every position, especially the jobs that require you to communicate with foreigners like Aviation, Tourism, and Hotels. The TOEIC Tests is divided into 2 parts which are listening Comprehensions and Reading Comprehensions sections. In each part of TOEIC test has 495 scores, it will begin from 5 scores. Your TOEIC scores can be used for 2 years beginning from your test date. Now let’s learn about the TOEIC score of each kind of job. Some position does not specify clearly about language requirements, but if you have a TOEIC score, you will be more outstanding than other applicants. You can see in the above image that most of the jobs require a TOEIC score. If you have more than 550 points of TOEIC score, you will have more chance to get a job including getting more/a higher salary.
This information was updated on 30th May 2016. (You should follow a job applying announcement every time before sending an application form). These scores are derived from the TOEIC score requirement of the stated companies. Don’t forget that these scores are just a minimum requirement. You have to think that there are many people who may register for the same position like you, those who may have the same knowledge of work and graduate in the same year as you. However, don’t be afraid about this. Your English skills are an important key that makes you get your job.
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How many TOEIC scores will make you passing? The standard rules of TOEIC scores do not specify the maximum or minimum. The passing score depends on each organization requirement. The score will begin since 10 to 990 scores. However, the standard TOEIC scores of each organization require more than 550 scores. Of course, if you get more 660 scores, you will also get the higher chance to work at any company you want. You may wonder where you can take the TOEIC test. Normally, you can go to BB Tower in Bangkok and Noawarat building in Chiangmai. The TOEIC fee is 1,500 baht. Nonetheless, if you are a PSU student, you can take the test at Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai and Phuket campus. Students of PSU pay only 1000 baht for the TOEIC fee.
Work Attire
Personality and outfits are important for a job interview. Although your resume is excellent, it does not mean you will get the job immediately. The important thing is that the interviewers at your physical appearance and how you dress.So, you only have one chance to make a good first impression at your job interview. Today, Start Up magazine will give you some tips of how to wear suitable outfits for a job interview.
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Men Do
-Wear a dark suit with a bright shirt -Wear black or dark-leather shoes and socks -Wear a silk necktie -Cut hair and mustache neatly
Don’t
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-Do not wear an overly flashy tie -Do not wear jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers -Do not wear any ring, except a wedding ring or a college ring -Do not wear earrings -Do not keep a beard
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Women Do
-Wear a navy, black or dark gray suit -Wear a long or suitable skirt -Wear neutral colored pantyhose -Wear a conservative and fairly low-heeled shoes and closed-toe pumps -Wear a minimum jewelry -Trim your nail neatly -Choose a handbag or shoulder bag with a classic design -Bring a portfolio or briefcase
Don’t
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-Do not wear a splashy of color with a scarf -Do not wear sport shoes -Do not bring a hobo bag, baguette bag, barrel bag, flap bag, clutch and wristlet bag, and backpack -Do not wear makeup too much -Do not wear flip-flops or sneakers and highheeled and platform shoes -Do not wear dangling earrings or bracelets -Do not keep long nails or paint them too colorful.
Hair
Keep your hairstyle simple, no hair scrunchies or a big bundle of hair. Examples of hairstyles: Long and sleek: To keep your hair away from the front and release it freely in the back. A sleek, straight look kept out of the way and behind your shoulders is a good solution. Pretty ponytail: To pull a piece of hair from the bottom of your ponytail and wrap it around to conceal your hair tie, securing it with a bobby pin.
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Muslim Women Do
-Wear proper and loose clothes -Wear a tidy and suitable Hijab with single color in natural tones -Use makeup in natural tone -Wear a minimum jewelry -Wear black or nude colored shoes with closedtoe pumps -Wear only one visible brooch on your head and shoulders
Don’t
-Do not wear thin clothes -Do not use many clips and brooches, and their colors should not be too gaudy.
Hijab
Hijab is an imperative component of Muslim females’ code of dressing. Muslim females are commanded by their religion to wear hijab as an ethical and religious practice to cover their hair, forehead and neck while going out. 53 | WORK ATTIRE // START UP
Reference: Day Dreamer (2016). 5 Factors How to Choose the Right Hijab. Retrieved from 26 October 2016. http://www.alluringto.com/5factors-how-to-choose-the-right-hijab/
Tutorial for easy wearing hijab style
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“You will never reach your goal if you never get started.” START UP TEAM
“Our Soul is for The Benefit of Mankind.�
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences English major