Interview Tips with the Singapore Press

Having been featured a few times by Singapore’s English and Chinese Language National Newspapers such as LianHe Zaobao (联合早报) and The New Paper, I decided to share my experiences and challenge some assumptions!

Before the interview

Journalists are nosy busybodies who probe extensively.
NO, they are just as human and have respect for your privacy. Feel free to reject their questions if you are uncomfortable.

How should I prepare for a media interview? 
REHEARSE ahead of time to be familiar with the subject matter that they will be discussing and be honest with your answers. Keep calm and stay relaxed!

摄影⊙龙国雄

During the interview

Will everything that I tell the journalist be published?
IT DEPENDS. As much as they would like to share every detail about you, journalists have word limits and space constraints to adhere to. SHARE as much as you want in good faith so that they can write the very best about you. NOTHING is “OFF THE RECORD” even if the journalist says so.

What if the journalist brings along a photographer?
For feature articles, journalists would include photographs to aid the reader’s understanding and to cut down on words too! I was asked to pose naturally and encouraged to smile for the camera. As we are not used to smiling our best for more than 5 minutes, do some facial massages before! You could also THINK OF SOMETHING FUNNY so that you smile isn’t awkward and if necessary, put on some make-up.

《联合晚报 2015》

 

After

Will the journalist stalk me if I give my contact details?
APART FROM TABLOIDS, the press would only want your contact to clarify on the uncertain areas. Give it to them confidently and if need be, get their details too! You may need to update them on aspects that you might have omitted during the interview.

TL,DR

• Draw analogies, examples and anecdotes to communicate your ideas effectively
• Don’t lie, over promise or say things beyond your area of responsibility
• Be yourself and have fun! Journalists are not some scary monsters.

I would like to thank from Victoria Junior College – Ms Rachel Teo and Mr Larry Choy – and from National Youth Council – Clara and Cecilia – for the help and guidance provided during the press interviews 🙂

 

Life is short, so am I! • TEDxYouth @VJC

Thank you for inviting me to share my experiences and life story with all of you today. Just like you, I sat over there many times before and could never imagine myself up here. Thank you once again for I am deeply humbled and honoured to be standing here.

I am Ci En. I am 20 this year and I’m studying Social Sciences in Singapore Management University. Outside my studies, I’m an Youth Corps Advocate where I speak up for various causes in society and share the good community work of the organisation.

From a young age, I realised that I’m different.

This started off when I was in a public area, when people were staring at me. It wasn’t the simple glance but a long stare. Sometimes, it came with finger pointing here and there so it was obvious that people were referring to me. Initially, it was difficult for me emotionally because I realised that people viewed me in a different way…

Click here to read the full script of my sharing at TEDxYouth @ VJC!! 

Arise and Shine

On 12 March 2016, Youth Corps Singapore launched its new signature initiative, Common Space for Common Good, with an inaugural mass island-wide youth community service event. More than 1,000 youths aged between 16 and 35 came together to serve diverse community needs of 600 beneficiaries in different parts of Singapore.

Some of the youths shared their views on the various activities that took place that morning.

Appreciating the pioneers

At Moral Home for the Aged, the volunteers did some morning exercise with 50 of the residents before bringing them out to Bedok Food Centre for lunch and chit-chat.

Minister Fu with a beneficiary from Moral Home

Ong Yee Hwee (20) a volunteer from Nanyang Technological University shared her experience, “Volunteering and appreciating our pioneers reminded me if not for the hard work and effort put in by them, Singapore would not be the same today. It is both amazing and heartwarming to see individuals putting the needs of others ahead of their own to make the lives of others more joyful.” 

Yee Hwee having lunch with Mr Lau

 Befriending the special needs

Kenneth Yap (24) and 32 other volunteers interacted with 20 residents of Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled at the Botanic Gardens. They visited the Heritage Garden and played team games. The activities culminated with a delicious picnic for everyone.

Kenneth (in black) leading the games

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu joined in the activities and had a whale of a time. Encouraging the Youth Corps Leader Kenneth and other volunteers on the ground, she said, “The youth volunteers are a wonderful bunch of people. Though they are busy with their studies and their work, they feel that by volunteering, they are bringing meaning to the lives of people and improving their quality of life.”

To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together! 

Caring for the environment

Together with 360 volunteers from ITE College West, Sheila Manokaran (21) led the efforts to clean the beach at East Coast Park by picking up the litter and sorting out the recyclable items.

The Youth Corps Leader said, “It’s never about how busy you are but it’s about your priorities. I’m always grateful for the opportunities and experience that Youth Corps has given me in paying it forward.”

Sheila in the center with staff, leaders and members of Youth Corps

Delighting the families (low income)

Volunteers partnered with Beyond Social Services and Lakeside Family Services to explore the Singapore Sports Hub through fun activities

Mr Baey Yam Keng

Unite to ignite

When the activities ended, the volunteers returned to the Red Box Building to install light bulbs. Each light bulb contained a small sprout and mounted on a Red Box, each bulb signified each youth volunteer and their potential in making a difference by growing in the red “incubator” and spreading the spirit of volunteerism.

Acts of service shining brightly in darkness

As I witnessed the endless arrival of cohorts of youth volunteers, rivers of tears cascaded down my face. In the blazing hot afternoon sun, my heart melted as I witnessed firsthand how 1,000 youths dropped their personal activities to be part of this event.

A sea of red

These were youths who could have spent their Saturday morning in bed, who could have been mugging for exams or playing with their friends. Once called apathetic and self-contained, our youths are now a purposeful force that looks into the interests of others by paying it forward.

My life mentor Crystal Chua (Volunteer Coordinator), said this was the start of greater things to come. This youth movement does not stop here and we can look forward to more exciting initiatives organised by Youth Corps Singapore. More than that, we can start now and be part of the movement. Whether you are young or young-at-heart, everyone of us can step up and step out of our comfort zone.

Be it our pioneers, people with special needs or low-income families, we can play a part to initiate conversations and empathise with them.

If you are looking for a meaningful service-learning experience, join Youth Corps today!
Together, we can make a difference in someone else’s life.