My self-introduction and goals for UCS1001
Dear Professor Blackstone,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Nurin Syazwana, a Year 1 Civil Engineering student studying at Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share my background, communication strengths and weaknesses, and goals for this course.
I did my diploma in Architecture at Nanyang Polytechnic before deciding to pursue my degree in Civil Engineering at SIT. I was intrigued by the beauty of buildings, especially in traditional Japanese and Islamic architecture, which inspired me to choose Architecture for my diploma. After graduating, I reflected on how I wanted to explore a different area of Architecture while staying connected to the field. This reflection led me to choose Civil Engineering as it offers a new perspective and opportunities to contribute to the built environment.
A notable strength in my communication is my ability to articulate ideas clearly, which I developed through frequent presentations and critiques during my Architecture studies. I often had to explain abstract concepts to my lecturers, helping them understand the reasoning and meaning behind my designs. On the other hand, I recognize that my public speaking skills need improvement. Having not presented in some time, I have noticed a decline in my confidence and composure during public speaking engagements.
In this module, I aim to achieve two specific goals: first, to refine my ability to convey technical information effectively to diverse audiences, and second, to build confidence in presenting. I believe these skills will not only enhance my academic performance but also prepare me for professional interactions in the engineering field.
What makes me unique is my determination to learn and grow. Outside of engineering, I enjoy playing the guitar regularly and learning new things, which helps me stay creative and balanced.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to learning from you and contributing to this course.
Best regards,
Nurin Syazwana
Dear Nurin Syazwana,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your self-introduction and goals for UCS1001. Your letter is thoughtfully crafted and provides a clear overview of your background, strengths, and objectives.
I would suggest adding a brief anecdote or specific example from your Architecture studies to make your letter more engaging and relatable. For instance, mentioning a particular project or moment that inspired you to pursue Civil Engineering could add depth and personality. You could also specify what kind of technical information you hope to convey or how you plan to build your confidence in presenting.
Overall, your letter demonstrates clarity and a strong sense of purpose. Your enthusiasm for learning and growth shines through, making it a compelling introduction.
Best regards,
Gheslane
Dear Gheslane,
DeleteThank you for kind and genuine words!It gave me motivation to strive to be better. Also, I will take note of the suggestions to make my letter better.
Best wishes,
Nurin
Hi Nurin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your introduction. Your journey from Architecture to Civil Engineering is truly inspiring, and it's clear that you have a deep passion for the built environment.
I have a suggestion that might help make your introduction even stronger. While your email is detailed and informative, you could consider making it a bit more concise by combining sentences or removing redundant phrases. This will help maintain the reader's attention.
Overall, your email is already impressive, and the small adjustment can make it even better!
Best regards,
siqi
Hi Siqi,
DeleteThank you for your kind words!I will take note of the suggestions that you wrote and will make the changes.
Best wishes,
Nurin
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDear Nurin,
ReplyDeleteYour genuine passion to pursue a career in this industry had been inspiring.I hope that through this module you are able to regain your confidence in public speaking.I thorougly enjoyed reading your letter and it was nice getting to know you more . I hope that I can support you through your journey in becoming a better public speaker and wish that someday you can also teach me to play the guitar!
Sincerely ,
Lyka
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nurin, for this clear, concise and informative letter. You address the points of the brief fairly well.
You explain, for example, about your interest in "traditional Japanese and Islamic architecture" and how this motivated you initially to study architecture. That's very cool. Were there any buildings in particular that caught your eye? What is it about either of those broad traditions that interests you? You then share about your shift to CVE, stating that you're attracted to "new perspective(s) and opportunities to contribute to the built environment." That's a very sensible view!
In your letter, you also explain your comm skills and your aims for the module, articulating well what your experience has been and what you see as your needs.
I'm particularly impressed when you reference your "determination to learn and grow" as you mention what makes you unique. How mature that thought is! In terms of your guitar playing, I'm curious what genre of songs you generally learn, and I wondered if you sing as well. (I have played blues harp for many years and used to perform in bands regularly, so anyone who mentions music as a passion warms my heart and pricks my curiousity.)
In terms of your language use, this letter is a very good effort. There is, however, one are that I'd like you to take note of: the over use of caps.
- a Year 1 Civil Engineering student > ?
- I did my diploma in Architecture at Nanyang Polytechnic before deciding to pursue my degree in Civil Engineering at SIT. > ?
- to choose Architecture > ?
- during my Architecture studies. > ?
I look forward to working with you further this term.
Best wishes,
Brad
Dear Professor Blackstone,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your thoughtful feedback and kind words. I truly appreciate the time you took to read my letter and provide such detailed insights—it means a lot to me!
Regarding your questions, I’ve always been fascinated by the harmony in traditional Japanese architecture, especially its simplicity and use of natural elements. In Islamic architecture, the geometric patterns and attention to detail in structures really capture my interest. These styles made me realize how architecture can reflect culture and history, which is what initially drew me to the field.
Music has also been a huge part of my life since I was young. I started playing guitar after taking a random class back in primary school, and it quickly became one of my passions. I used to be in a classical guitar ensemble CCA and now gravitate towards acoustic music, though I enjoy experimenting with different genres. I don’t sing much, but I do occasionally when I’m playing. It’s really cool to hear that you’ve played blues harp and performed in bands! That must’ve been an amazing experience—I’d love to hear more about that someday.
I’ll definitely pay more attention to my capitalization and language use moving forward. Thank you for pointing that out. I’m really looking forward to learning and growing through this module with your guidance.
Best wishes,
Nurin