UiTM Mass Comm Degree Interview

Statistik terbaru. Broadcast 51 applicants, PR 32 Applicants, Advert 22 Applicants, Publishing 14 Applicants, Interpersonal 10 applicants, Journalism 10 Applicants, Policy 5 Applicants.

- Dhiya

The above were the statistics of the students applying for Degree in Mass Communication in UiTM.

Yes, quite a competition there.

We had to go through an interview first during 30th April 2011.

Here are just some of the random things we've learnt from that day:

So, did I fare as great as the scores above?

1. BE PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT YOURSELF

This was where I was stuck at. Talk about where you come from, what you are currently doing now, your family, parents' occupations...

I stumbled and fumbled through this and ran out of things to say.

PANEL:Yes, go on.

JAZ: I'm from Ampang...

PANEL:*motioning with his hands* Go on, go on...

JAZ: I've just graduated my diploma yesterday...

PANEL: ... Go on?

JAZ: ... What else is there to talk about???

Yes, I seriously asked that question to my interviewer. TWICE.

Very bad move on my part. And I did not prepare for this question at all.

So yeah, please please please be prepared with an autobiography of yourself in case the panel likes to hear the story of your life.

2. BE PREPARED IF THE PANEL DEBATES AGAINST YOU

Oh yeah, I was stuck here too.

PANEL:So, what are you doing now?

JAZ:I've just graduated my diploma yesterday.

PANEL:Ahh, I see. Final paper yesterday, eih?

JAZ:Nope, it was a presentation for our research. There was no paper for that subject.

PANEL: *a 'duh' face* Yes, that was what I meant. The paper IS the subject. So when I said final paper yesterday, it meant final subject. Regardless if it actually has an exam paper or not.

I just nodded my head.

But I still think a 'Paper' refers to an actual 'Final Exam Paper', not a 'Subject'.

JAZ:I choose to major in Advertising because it's a constantly evolving industry.

PANEL:Why do you say it's evolving?

JAZ:Previously, we used to have only newspaper advertisements, television advertisements... Now, it evolves into many different non-traditional forms.

PANEL:Yes, but the traditional ones still exists.

JAZ:Yes, I don't see a problem with that.

PANEL:Non-traditional advertising is only a miniscule of the industry. Companies don't invest much in non-traditional advertising. Do you know what form of advertising they mostly invest in?

JAZ:Television advertisements.

PANEL:Are you sure?

JAZ:... Newspaper advertisements?

PANEL:You don't even know?!

JAZ:I don't know. But it's either one of the two, I think.

How easy I was to be psycho-ed by the panel.

Sometimes interviewers would just debate with us on purpose to see how we think and react.

Only 5 minutes after I walked out of the room that I could think of a sensible idea to rebuke that point

It does not take a large portion of company's budget because non-traditional advertising is quite cost-effective and cheap.
Just because not much money is spent there as compared to traditional advertising, it does not mean that the advertising method is not effective.

My brain must be really slow to not think of this when I was supposed to answer the question. Bummer.

Another example of this debate during the degree interview can be read at Awin's blog post.

3. PREPARE AT LEAST TWO OF THE ESTABLISHED COMPANIES IN THE INDUSTRY

Since I was sitting for the Advertising major interview, he asked me to list two international advertising agencies.

PANEL:Name me two international advertising agencies.

JAZ:Leo-Burnett.

PANEL:*nods head*

JAZ:DDB.

PANEL:*nods head*

*5 seconds of awkward silence*
Was he still expecting an answer? And I really can't think of any other agencies at that time because I didn't prepare for this.

PANEL:*still nodding head, expecting an answer*

JAZ:*nods head with panel too, not answering*
... Erm... I've named two agencies already...?

4. POINT OUT STUFF TO THE PANEL

My panel wasn't very convinced of me. Can't blame him, I look timid in that interview.

PANEL:With advertising, you have to be good with concepts.

JAZ:*nodding head, not realizing it's a question*

PANEL:... Are you good with concepts?

JAZ:... Yes, I think I'm good at it...

PANEL:Are you good in writing?

JAZ:Yes, I think I'm good in writing.

PANEL:Why do you say so?

JAZ:...............................

Yes, how horrible was I?

I felt so unsure to boast about my skills when I don't have evidence to show it!

Reality is, I've had all those evidence in my files right on that table.

I've printed most of the designs that I've done throughout diploma- including an advertisement for Advertising class in semester 4 which got the highest marks in class that time.

And if that does not show my copywriting skills, I could have just pointed him to my transcript.

I've gotten A- for Advertising, and A for Journalism.

That would suffice to at least allow me to be confident with my skills, right?

*smacks face*

Thankfully, he took a look at my transcript and CGPA himself and my interview immediately ended.

Just like that.

From a normal human being, I suddenly felt like I was the chimp at the left because I was so clueless and unprepared for the interview.

Now, that felt REALLY bad.

It was like my CGPA was the only thing saving me from being a total failure at the interview.

Have learnt my lesson about preparation for next time.

Don't repeat my mistakes, alright?