Personal Development Week // Reflection

11.11. 24 - 15.11.24 (Week 8) 

Emelyne How Sok Hing (0352938) 

Bachelor of Design (Hons) Creative Media 
Personal Development Week // Reflection

---

Reflection

For my Personal Development Week on the week 8, I joined the following webinars:

1. "Financial Literacy for Fresh Graduate” by AIA on Monday, 11th November

2. Keynote “Building Resilience: How to Bounce Back from Rejections and Setbacks in Your Job Hunt and Early Career" on Monday, 11th November.

3. "Effective Networking through LinkedIn: Tips and Tricks" by SHELL on Tuesday, 12th November

4. "Beyond the Story: The Secret to Selling Your Ideas” by GRAPH STUDIO on Wednesday, 13th November.

5.  "Challenges and Opportunities in the Design Industry” by CULT CREATIVE on Thursday, 14th November

6. "The Big 5 Strategic Communication Imperatives for 2025 and Beyond" by PERSPECTIVE STRATEGIES on Friday, 15th November.  

7. "How to Choose Between Jobs: For Fresh Graduates" by JEBAT CONSULTING on Friday, 15th November.  

Reflection

During my Personal Development Week in Week 8, I attended several webinars that taught me valuable lessons about personal and professional growth. These sessions gave me insights into important skills and mindsets I can use as a designer and animator.  

Here’s what I learned:  

1. Managing Finances

In "Financial Literacy for Fresh Graduates," I realised how important it is to understand my spending and saving habits. Good money management doesn’t just support my career but also my overall well-being. While money doesn’t guarantee happiness, it can reduce a lot of stress in my opinion. Everyone has their own approach to spending, but ultimately, it’s up to us to take charge of our finances.  

2. LinkedIn and Networking

The LinkedIn webinar showed me how important it is to have a strong online presence. It’s not just about listing out skills but also about showing my personality and interests to stand out. I learned how writing a good “About” section and using the right keywords can attract more opportunities. This reminded me to actively improve my LinkedIn profile to reflect who I am and what I can offer.  

3. Storytelling and Pitching Ideas

In the session by Graph Studio, I learned how storytelling can help sell ideas. This really connected with me as an animator because storytelling is at the heart of what I do. The three-act structure—Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution—was a good reminder of how to structure stories effectively. The session also emphasised how strong visuals can make a story more impactful. This inspired me to think more about how I pitch ideas and connect with people through my work.  

4. Standing Out in the Design Industry

The session on "Challenges and Opportunities in the Design Industry" focused on how to stand out as a designer. I learned the importance of being confident, solving problems, and having a positive attitude. The advice on keeping my portfolio simple and showing only my best work stuck with me. I was also reminded to stay updated on trends, embrace challenges, and constantly improve my skills.  

5. Adapting and Growing

Many of the webinars helped me reflect on my current skills and figure out where I can grow. I appreciated how practical the advice was, with real-life examples and tips that I can apply in my future projects.  

6. Online Learning  

I liked how the online format allowed speakers from different industries to share their knowledge. This brought a variety of perspectives and ideas, which made the discussions even more meaningful.  

Overall, this week wasn’t just about learning new things—it made me rethink how I approach my work and goals. The key lessons of adaptability, self-awareness, and storytelling were consistent throughout the webinars, and they reminded me to be intentional in my creations. As a designer and animator, I feel more prepared to face challenges and create work that is both impactful and meaningful.