This morning I had an interview to continue my studies in a Degree in Journalism. Theinterview was supposed to begin at 8.30am. I arrived at the Faculty of Communication & Media Studies in UiTM Shah Alam, and they told me that the interview venue was changed to Puncak Perdana Campus which was about half an hour away.

I went to the campus and parked my car quite a distance from the building as parking spots were full. By this time it was already almost 930am. Then, I asked the security guard where was the interview for MassComm, and he pointed me towards this staircase. I looked at the noticeboard at the foot of the stairs and it said Interview for Faculty of Communications and Media Studies. I went up the stairs to the second floor, and saw that there was nobody there, so I went to the top floor and saw some people lining up, so I lined up as well. Then some guy lined up behind me and asked me if that was my panel number. I told him I didn't know. Then he said I should ask this one lady at a table behind us. I went up to the lady, showed her my offer letter and she said that my interview was downstairs. I then went downstairs again and still nobody there. I went around and around the second floor and saw interviews for many other courses but the one I came for. I got frustrated and went back to my car, intending to just give up. I told my stepmom and she said don't give up, keep asking around. So I went back upstairs and went around again and still, I couldn't find it. I went back to my car and drove away.

Then my stepmom texted me and said that the interview was on the second floor. I told her that's where I've been going around for the past hour plus. I then had to make a choice. To keep driving and go home, or turn around and keep trying. I decided to turn around. She called again and said that she was coming. The clock showed 10.15am. This time, I found a parking space close to the building and went back upstairs. I walked along an empty corridor and saw a lit up room. I entered the room and sat down. The lady asked if my name was so and so, and I said no. I just wanted to find out where I was supposed to be. Then a girl came in with another girl and asked me what I was doing there. It turned out that I was in the panels' interview room. I was hurriedly ushered out and the girl asked to see my offer letter. She asked me if I have taken the written test and I said no. She then reprimanded me for simply going into the panels' place. I said I didn't know where to go and there weren't any signs anywhere or even people to help. She said there were (I looked around for the tenth time...there definitely weren't). She led me to a room (also without any signs) where I was to take the written test. I was to write an autobiography. Of course I mentioned that my late mother was an editor for New Straits Times because I figured it would earn me some points. It did.

After the written test, I was taken to a place with tables and chairs where I was supposed to wait for my name to be called. It was already 11.15am. I waited and waited and waited and waited and finally at around 12pm my name was called. I went to the interview room. It started not so well since I was rather flustered.I took out my documents which weren't very well arranged and the lady said next time arrange properly. Then she looked at my Dean's List certificates. One of them had a huge red blotch in the middle caused by running colour from my red bag. She was quite shocked to see that and asked me what happened. She was not amused I must say.

Then, the guy read my essay and looked at my results and they both seemed rather impressed. They asked my SPM results and were also impressed. As I had thought, the fact that my mother was a journalist helped, and they were also impressed that my father was an architect. It also helped that the guy knew my mom, he was her senior. They asked me what was my current diploma and a few unrelated questions (did your father remarry? How's the wife? OK not? You are staying with them? Where?). Then, the lady asked me where I see myself in five years time. I said that I wished to have a career in News Straits Times or any other Media Prima network. Then the guy told me that I would have to face many challenges if I decide to be in this field. I would have to put up with a lot of criticism, and a lot of people will not like what I write. Following which he went into nostalgia mode and reminisced about a time when some guy didn't like his writing and threatened to chop off his hands(apparently, he was a critic). I said that if I enjoy it and I love what I'm doing I can strengthen myself to face these challenges.

After that, they said they will recommend me but that it wasn't completely up to them. However, they said they were quite impressed by me. In fact, there was one point where they asked me why I didn't apply for this in the first place. I told them I did, but wasn't accepted. They were quite shocked and asked me why I wasn't accepted. I was quite surprised by this. As if I knew!

I usually have trouble speaking in front of people I don't know since I tend to get nervous, but not this time. My words flowed fluently like water. Everything that happened was meant to be. My father said it was a deliberate test to see if I can handle the stress under real life situation as a journalist. So I don't know when I'll find out the results, but it's looking quite positive. Wish me luck, everyone!

By the way I would so much like to thank Belle Mere for getting me to keep trying. If it weren't for the encouragement I might have given up. And also to my father for pointing out it was a test for me and making me see the positive side of it all. I don't know what would happen if I didn't have either of them supporting me. Right now, I feel like I'm the luckiest person in the whole world.

+ posted by angelsixteen | 6:57 PM | 2 feedback +