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.

 

No Yew, no us

As we commemorate the First Year Anniversary of the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, this is a draft that has been untouched for a year…

I am still feeling so tired from helping out yesterday but thought I shall gather all my strength to pen this down.

A few days ago, when the official Press Statement from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was broadcasted through the Prime Minister’s Office, everyone in the crowd went quiet. Some looked down. Eyes teared. The elderly started wailing. We averted each other’s eyes. I looked hard at my smartphone.

The Post-LKY Era – living in his legacy, living it out. 

It is really so touching to see the nation coming together to send off our dear Founding Father – Mr Lee Kuan Yew – for the very last time. Coming together not just physically but being in solidarity to mourn over the great loss be it on social media such as changing our profile pictures on Facebook, uploading commemorative pictures on Instagram or even wearing just black, grey and white colours in real life.

Watch this: Water distribution efforts during lying-in-state

Amongst the hundreds of thousands that lined up to see Mr Lee in Parliament house, and the millions who paid homage to him at the tribute centres here and abroad, I saw the emergence of the Singaporean spirit. Singaporeans from all walks of life put down their activities and gathered together for a common good – to serve. Some emptied their pockets to buy stockpiles of replenishments or free flowers. Some brought down their children to be part of the volunteering effort. Some volunteered to support the volunteers by providing free transport and rallying their friends and family.

Water distribution efforts 

As I guarded my water distribution post near Cavenagh Bridge, I came into contact with a police officer. He had been there since the wee hours of the morning and was clearly exhausted and tired from direct traffic, giving advise to those in the queue and looking out for any threats. However, he soldiered on “for Mr Lee”.

Read this: Rallying the nation

Other policeman that I talked to, told me that they had been activated for all of the past few days and were surviving on barely a wink of sleep. Yet, they were so friendly to the public – empathising with the older folks by genuinely attempting to cheer them up as they wheeled the elderly into the priority queue and maintaining law and order.

A new chapter

This is the first and hopefully not the last time that I see the icy image of Singaporeans being melted, finally. No more paiseh, no more “hiding in my cocoon” but rather making conversations with one another and becoming friends overnight. Conversations on how to stay awake as they queued lest they be left behind. Conversations on how they can avoid experiencing dizziness by “wiggling your toes and pressing certain points for oxygen flow”.

I will never forget witnessing:
Men, women and children who did not waver in rows under the torrential downpour to bid the final farewell
The spontaneous outpouring of grief and gratitude
Arising to the challenge to serve

Salute!! 

This is home truly, where I know I must be
Where my dreams wait for me, where the river always flows
This is home surely, as my senses tell me
This is where I won’t be alone, for this is where I know it’s home

A Conversation with the Prime Minister

On 1 October ’15, I was honoured to be nominated by MCCY to witness the Swearing-in Ceremony of the Prime Minister and the recently elected Cabinet at the Istana. We were hosted and seated in the State Room which was adorned with fascinating artworks and sparkling-bright diamond-embellished chandeliers. It was indeed a sight to behold and a privilege to be able to witness this important milestone in Singapore’s history.

States Room, Istana (Photo by Gurjeevaan Singh)

States Room, Istana Lawn (Photo by Me)

This was followed by the dinner reception at the Lawn in the Istana. With food from Conrad International, there was a wide array of food ranging from Western, Chinese, Malay, Indian to Vegetarian! Tiger Beer and Ice Cream were served and it was an enjoyable time of catching up with my Youth Corps Aspirants over good food. During the reception, I had the opportunity of meeting the various newly elected ministers and many MPs.

Desserts (Photo by Me)

Desserts (Photo by Me)

The biggest highlight for me was being able to have a conversation with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong himself! As a fan boy of his father’s legacy and the PM himself, I observed that he is really tall and well built in person as compared to what you see on television! Also, it was mesmerising to hear the resonance of his voice up close and personal.

Conversation with PM Lee (Photo: PMO)

Fan boy moment aside, as a Youth Corps Ambassador, I shared with PM that we were from Youth Corps Singapore and updated him about the work that we were doing. Giving an example of how we rose to the challenge again by leading the distribution of masks to elderly residents in Toa Payoh and Macpherson, Mr Lee encouraged us to keep it up and was heartened to see more Singaporeans wearing the masks for outdoor activities. In addition, he even suggested a twist to our Mask Distribution efforts in the form of decorating the plain white masks, an idea which is quite cute and creative!

“You are our future. You are idealistic, full of energy and passion. Go forth, change Singapore, and change the world, for the better.”

Prime Minister Lee (National Day Rally 2013)

With this, I would like to wish the new Cabinet the very best for the term ahead! Continue to uphold the trust we have placed in you and secure Singapore’s future beyond this generation or GE 2020 even. Take Singapore another step closer towards SG100!

Former Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew (Photo by Shiyun Lim)

YCS Aspirants with DPM Tharman (Photo by Gurjeevaan Singh)

Feature Write-up on LianHe ZaoBao (Chinese Morning Straits Times)

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity of sharing my condition and story through LianHe Zaobao. I thought it would be meaningful to copy it here for those who do not subscribe to LHZB.

李赐恩（维多利亚初级学院):

对弱势群体 应关怀而不流于同情

5/4/2015

报道⊙陈宇昕

摄影⊙龙国雄

摄影⊙龙国雄

拍照的时候，李赐恩摆出许多鬼马的表情和姿势，但在接受采访时，他的思绪，就如他的声音一样深沉。

这名19岁的初院毕业生，拥有远大的志向。

他始终谨记初中时一位老师给他的建议：“你的不同于旁人，能让你所做的一切都更具影响力。”

的确，他自己也深深体会到这个差异带来的无限可能。

小学的时候，李赐恩在谢师宴上弹奏钢琴，教同龄的学生惊艳，师长也都刮目相看深受启发。高中的时候，他也在校参加社区活动，曾到沈阳、峇淡岛、柬埔寨参与义工活动。在柬埔寨，他拜访了当地一家孤儿院，那些孩子见到他时一脸疑惑，最后大家都一窝蜂地跟着他走，众星拱月一样。

个性开朗的李赐恩说：“我对一切都保持开放态度，尽可能尝试新事物。如果封闭自己，就会失去很多机会。我或许不能像尼克·武伊契奇（Nick Vujicic）那样成为激励人心的演说家，毕竟他经历过困苦的生活，而我只不过是身材比较矮小，但我不介意在台上分享自己的故事。”

乐意分享自己的故事

上个月A水准成绩放榜，就读维多利亚初级学院的李赐恩获得不俗成绩，在师长推荐下接受本地媒体的采访。

他说，他并不知道该如何确切提升本地人对侏儒症患者的认知，但勇敢接受报章采访，或许是一个契机。

报道刊登后，有人在街上认出他，主动与他攀谈，他也很乐意分享自己的故事。

这或许就是一种积极的改变。

初院毕业后，李赐恩报读本地三所大学的政治科学系。由于身体情况，他豁免服役，在等待升学期间，他不愿意浪费时间，到全国青年理事会属下的青年志愿者计划（Youth Corps）实习，希望继续服务社会。实习将在5月结束。

两周前，建国总理李光耀逝世，民众到国会大厦向李光耀先生致敬，队伍排得很长，男女老幼都至少得排上四五个小时。李赐恩当时便随青年志愿者计划的义工一起到场，协助维持秩序，提供帮助。他当时负责在亚洲文明博物馆旁的加文纳桥边给民众分发饮料。

李赐恩的父亲是一名经理，母亲是位兼职教师，他还有一个16岁的弟弟，目前就读于莱佛士书院。

小时候，李赐恩意识到无论大人小孩，都会不断注视他，一开始的确让他倍感压力，但家人和教会朋友的鼓励让他得到宽慰，渐渐也适应那些来自陌生人的奇异眼光。

他相信，别人会盯着他看，更大的原因是对方不知道该以怎样的心态来面对他。就像小时候交朋友，那些身材比他大很多的同龄学生，一开始总不知该如何拿捏，到底该把他当成小弟弟，还是当成同伴。但这些隔阂随着时间和接触机会多了，就都慢慢消失。

从小到教会礼拜，让他有更多机会接触陌生人，对他也是一种很好的训练。

李赐恩说，父母对他总持开放的教育态度，不会过于保护他。

初院毕业后，李赐恩爱上下厨，为家人准备食物。在厨房里，他就站在凳子上准备食材，煮东西。他笑说，切葱蒜非常考功夫，至于中餐，有点太难了，他现在一般都只准备西餐。

闲暇时他喜欢阅读、上网看youTube。他对国际政治与国家政策的课题很感兴趣，但他不轻易下笔评论。他认为自己对课题的研究还不够深入，必须要有更完善的思考和准备才能动笔。

此外，关于弱势群体的社会课题也是他所关注的。

他认为，许多人喜欢参与一些短期义务工作，其实只是为了一时的好奇，并不能为社区带来有意义的改变。因此他更愿意加入像青年志愿者计划这样的组织，目光放在如何带来持续性的改变。

李赐恩说，要帮助别人，或许可以从身边开始，帮助左邻右舍，再扩大到社区，最后才出国帮助那些贫困地区的人。

我问他，是否想过要成为一名activist（社运人士）？他回答说，或许应该用一个更中性的词汇，他只是希望advocate（提倡）人们学会关怀社会。

对于弱势群体，李赐恩认为，大众要有的应该是empathy（关怀），而不应该流于sympathy（同情）。

Cover picture and article taken from: http://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/fukan/story20150405-465099

Nanyang Sin-Chew Lianhe Zaobao (Chinese: 南洋·星洲联合早报; pinyin: Nányáng Xīnzhoū liánhé zǎo bào; literally “Nanyang Sin-Chew United Morning Paper”), commonly abbreviated as Lianhe Zaobao (Chinese: 联合早报; pinyin: Liánhé zǎo bào; literally “United Morning Paper”), is the largest Singapore-based Chinese-language newspaper with a daily circulation of about 176,000. (taken from link)

feat.

Am very thankful to God and my dedicated teachers in VJC for the opportunity to narrate my life story with everyone in Singapore and now abroad! I do hope it leaves you inspired and encouraged and would like to thank each and everyone of you for being a part of my life. To read it, click the link below for the full article. I did not want to reproduce it here as all credit must be given when due! http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/ex-vjc-student-dwarfism-wont-limit-himself