Marketing submit is a yearly event where marketing academics around the world get invited to share their research.
I feel lucky to have a chance to be there. Only research students are invited.
It was a two days event.
There were breaks in between presentations, and everyone just socialised around with other researchers.
At the end of the event, there was a panel discussion. The visiting researchers gave feedback and some research tips.
Most were relevant for my thesis. I said ‘most’ not ‘all’, because some of the things mentioned were more applicable for established academics.
A rare experience.
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Oh…
Tom actually forgot about the event on the first day. He rushed there after I dropped him a sms.
“Shitttttttttttttttt! I’m in school. I’m going over now!”
Hahahahaha.
It was kinda funny when we messed around with our name tags, and some people got confused with our names.
Btw, the coffee sucks.
Filed under: School
I always wanted to teach in University.
It is now dream come true.
This week, I taught 3 classes. As far as possible, I tried to explain and elaborate from a student point of view.
There’s admin work and preparation each week. It’s like taking an extra course in this semester.
The experience is priceless and the pay is pretty good.
It feels weird when I’m teaching my ex course mates, and doing the same course with my ex tutor.
One of my students looks like Idra. lol.
It was great weekend.
First of all, I watched GSL final screening in uni. It’s a rare experience to watch a GSL final with other starcraft fans.
To make the saturday night even better, Arsenal won Liverpool. Chelsea lost. Arsenal looks better on the 4th spot in the league.
Spurs lost as well. =)
Filed under: School
This week is the first week of the semester, but I feel that the semester has actually started weeks ago.
I had a discussion with Ravi in his office this morning and it was really helpful. He helped me to get back on track and focus on the right thing at the moment for my thesis. Indeed, I felt kinda lost for the past weeks, whereby I was working on my work but just get no where. He recommended many readings to me, and passed me a book “Writing your thesis”. I can really see that he wants to help me.
Then, I had another discussion with Ann. She’s someone that I really look up to since she had been in my position before. After the chat, I decided that I shall not look for Len as my supervisor. I can see myself pulling my hair when he isn’t exactly helping me the way I expect he will. So, no. In terms of working style, I prefer Ravi.
Just the first week of school, I can tell that I’m generally more prepared than most. I picked courses in bachelor degree that will help me in my honours. Then, I picked specific courses in honours that line up well with what I planned. Great.
Oh, I finally know who scored 100/100 for the conceptual paper for contemporary issue of marketing 2 years ago. She is actually doing the exact same thing as me now. Tutoring the same course and studying the same honours courses for both semesters. Brilliant.
Quite an interesting week.
I had a meeting with the tutor team of RBUS2900 on Tuesday. There were five of us and of course Ravi. Three of us, including myself, are doing our Honours this year. Apparently, we tutor the same course, and picked the same courses for Honours. Seems like I’ll have competitors friends to go to when I hit a wall this year.
As much as I wanted to go to UQ on Wednesday for the Market Day to meet up with the Starcraft Society people, I just stayed home. Oh, there will be GSL final screening next week. =D
Ann had a SPSS session with the RBUS2900 tutors on Thursday. It was kinda funny when I entered the room and Ann said “When they told me ‘Max’, I expect to be you.” We ran through some of the SPSS stuff and Ann gave us some tips as an experienced tutor. We ran into problems here and there for the SPSS. Oh well, let’s hope that things will be perfect when I’m standing in front of a class. I don’t want to look like a dorche.
Friday was a long day. Tutor Training Day and Honours Orientation. Basically I was in school from 8am to 6.30pm, listening to ‘lectures’ and socialising.
It was a weird feeling when I sat beside people who used to teach me, like Ann, Alex, Anna, John etc. In a way I see that as an acknowledgement that I’ve improved, but at the same time I feel I’m far from the standard. With that being said, I don’t see any problem teaching what I’m gonna teach though. #Confidence
This tutor job thingy is probably the best thing I can hope for right now. First of all, it pays well. It is much better than I expected. The calculation is kinda complicated though. Secondly, I work in University itself, so that I can do my Honours at the same time without much travelling. Thirdly, it helps me to get the basic of research right which is helpful for my Honours, since I need to be absolutely comfortable with the content when I teach. Last but not least, I can finally have the experience of teaching in Uni! Hooray!
Oh, I didn’t know that we’re actually paid to come to this Tutor Training Day thingy, and… free lunch ._.
As for the Honours Orientation, it was just as I expected it to be in terms of information given. Somehow the staffs made me feel that this Honours thingy is kinda ‘prestige ’. Everyone started their speech with, “Congratulations for being accepted into Honours, it is an achievement……..” There are around 15-20 of us for Commerce + Management. 7 of us are in Management if I’m not wrong. Tom was telling me that there weren’t more than 5 every year. lol? Anyway, I actually don’t feel that I’m as good as they say about Honours students.
The one helpful thing that I take away from the seminar is the list of supervisors and their research interest. I need to have a topic for my thesis and find a supervisor for that. It is a two semester thing. I’m actually interested in decision making and choice, which points to dear Len. As much as I like him, I’m not sure if I can work with him. In terms of skill and knowledge wise, he’s right up there for this. In short, I doubt myself. Another thing is that I don’t think I can work that well with him, since I prefer schedule, organised, precise etc., while he’s completely opposite. Just different working style. Probably he’ll give me something vague and let me figure it out myself. As for me, I’ll be pulling my hair since he leaves me to die. lol.
After they had done their talk, we went for photo taking. Weeks ago, I received emails for this event, and they stated that “Attire: For professional phototaking”. I didn’t really want to dress up with a tie etc, so I just read the sentence literally. Professional photographers will be there and I can wear whatever I want. Anyway, there was one who had T-shirt and shorts on. (Not me)
The day ended with refreshments in a room for us to socialise around. Honestly, it wasn’t that helpful. Alright, I had to admit it was helpful to quench my thirst. Ok, I was hungry as well.
Beer, wine, champagne, orange juice etc…
There were waitresses who were walking around with plates to service finger food.
I had dinner with Jiemin before I traveled back home.
Damn the rain.
Reached Brisbane on 11/02/2012.
Grateful that Karen picked me up at 1am.
Gonna stay with Tim and Karen in Eight Mile Plains. The room and everything else is great, except that it’s far away from school. I’ve to take a 15min walk to the bus stop to take 150 to Garden City, then transfer to 169 to UQ lake. It takes approximately 45-60min.
I will be spending even more time in school this time round since I’ll be tutoring as well. It’s a rare opportunity to be able to teach in uni. Let’s hope I don’t get too nervous =)
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Before I left Brisbane last year, I packed (mainly my mum) two boxes of… let’s just say everything that I wanted to use in Australia when I’m back in 2012. I left them in the garage of Karen’s parents.
So Karen drove me there to pick those up on Monday evening, which includes my table and chair. I left my fan there, since it can’t fit into the car. While I unpacked my things, I couldn’t help but to admire the packing skill of my mum. Astonishing, really. It took me a night to arrange everything, assemble my table and chair etc.
Filed under: School
I’ve been considering if I should apply for tutor in university for the past few days.
It’s like taking an extra course if I were to take up the extra role, which may affect my academic performance. However, the unique experience is hard to come by.
In the end, I submitted my application form yesterday.
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The day before I submitted my application, I sent an email to ask for more information. One of the questions I asked is that which cluster should I register RBUS2900 (Business Research Methods) since it falls in none of the clusters provided on the list. (Accounting, Marketing, Management, Economics etc.) There isn’t a “research” cluster.
The next day I received an email from the course coordinator of RBUS2900 who was my lecturer on that course. It seems like the person who I emailed informed him that someone is interested to be a tutor in that course.
Surprise~
I respect his work ethics. He asked if I can meet him the following day. He then asked for my phone number after I told him I’m not in Australia at the moment. He told me to meet him in his office when I reach Brisbane after our conversation on the phone.
Back then when I was in his lecture, he gave me an impression that he’s very serious about his work. He prepared well for each lesson. It seems like he isn’t gonna pick just anyone to be one of his tutors.
Filed under: School
Semester 1
- RBUS6991: Honours Thesis
- RBUS6931: Scientific Method in Management
- MKTG6500: Marketing Theory and Research I
Semester 2
- RBUS6991: Honours Thesis
- RBUS6931: Scientific Method in Management
- MKTG6501: Marketing Theory and Research II
- RBUS6902: Quantitative Business Research Method
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Research
Research
Research
and more research…
It is shit to have more courses in semester 2 since I want more time for my thesis. But the quantitative or qualitative research course is only available in semester 2. Sarah, who did the same thing last year, told me that I’m gonna need the skills learned in quantitative research for my thesis and it will be too late to use them by then.
oh well…
Filed under: School
Going back to Brisbane on 10 Feb for my Honours degree.
It seems like my scholarship is settled, which is a great news.
Gonna be a shit year ahead of me. Let’s hope it’s worthy.
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I read an email after I came back from Taiwan on 29 Jan. It states that I had been offered a scholarship but one of the conditions is to enroll into the courses by 31 Jan.
Just when I thought I was lucky enough to come back on time to complete the necessary stuff, I actually can’t log into the system to enroll my courses. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
I received a reply from the IT assistant the next day. It seems like my account is still active and not disabled as I thought. Everything is fine after I made a call to settle everything.
Enroll into my courses and submitted my visa details on time. =)
The scholarship covers the cost of a domestic student, so I’ve to pay the difference in cost for international student.
Nevertheless, AUD$9425 of financial aid is helpful.
However, I need to upkeep a good grade or my scholarship will be revoked. The scholarship ‘payment’ is done in each semester according to the number of units.
I’ve 16 units for the year. 7 in the first semester and 9 in the second. So each unit is worth around $600. This means I’ll get around $4200 for the first semester and around $5400 in the next if my grade meets the requirement.
Exam is over!
All of a sudden, I don’t know what to do.
Starcraft, go out with friends, movies etc… oh, and clean up my place.
Went to Salt and Battery with Karen and Tim after the last paper.
At the cashier
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I just lazed around for the next day and did some grocery shopping. I had been eating instant noodle for most part of my exam period.
Yesterday morning, the maintenance came up at last to fix my shower.
The whole ‘head’ was changed, and rightfully so!
We were searching EVERYWHERE for the main water switch
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One month to go, and I need a new pot.
