Intercultural Communication

I had the opportunity to go to Cebu City, Philippines, during my holidays last year. It was my first time to the Philippines and I was there with a group of friends to help out at an orphanage. It was there at the orphanage where the intercultural misunderstanding occurred.

I was looking for an item down at the storeroom when one of the kids appeared. As I could not find the item I was looking for, I asked the kid if he knew where the item was but he did not reply. I tried asking him again, speaking at a slower pace. However there was still no verbal reply, only the raising of his eyebrow. Getting frustrated, I spoke very slowly, loudly and annunciate every single syllabus clearly, ending my question with “Yes or No?”, accompanying it with a vigorous nodding and shaking of head. Finally, he nodded and I asked him to help me take it out, of which he did.

After the incident, I managed to find out that it was me and not him who misunderstood. In their culture, the raising of eyebrows meant “yes” and this action is practice much more than nodding to agree. So, all the while, the kid was signaling to me that he knew where the item was.

From this incident, I learnt that besides learning as much facts about a culture as possible, one should always be patient when talking to someone of a different culture, especially if a language barrier may exist. Being patient aids the process of effective intercultural communication as it encourages both sides to keep attempting to understand message till it is correctly decoded. Getting frustrated will not help the situation and might even work against it as both sides get angry and tired of trying to understand each other.

So remember, when you are in a foreign land, do be patient and you will find it much easier to communicate.

Job advertisement

Position Title	Process Senior Engineer/Engineer- Etch/Clean Tech/Diffusion/Implant/Thin Film/CMP/Litho/Metrology
Location	Singapore
Date Posted	Monday, August 16, 2010
Application Deadline	Wednesday, September 15, 2010

• Monitor process performance indices on qualified processes and establish good controls to maintain process performance
• Oversee and ensure that all critical nodes for quality indices are met
• Improve on qualified processes using quality improvement tools
• Troubleshoot out-of-control situations and decide on the lot disposition in an out-of-spec situation
• Troubleshoot process issues, establish Control Action System, specifications for procedures to be followed and work with other departments to create new recipes
• Improve qualified process using SPC and other statistical tools
• Work with both internal and external customers to improve yield and quality
• Ensure productivity improvement through process changes, document, as well as implement process capability and work with equipment Engineers to maximize productivity of the equipment
• Start up new equipment processes which involves process characterization and development
• Organize and oversee training for Associate Engineer to upgrade their technical skills

Requirements

• Master / Degree in Electrical / Electronics / Microelectronics / Chemical Engineering or Degree in Physics/Chemistry
• At least 5 years of Litho / Etch / PVD / CVD Implant / Diffusion Process experience is preferred
• Good interpersonal skill
• Good team player
• Good analytical skill

Application letter

GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore

Tan Jonathan

Blk 123
Serangoon Rd 123
S661234

Application Letter for Process Engineer Position

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currently a fresh NUS graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Applied Chemistry with Honours. I am writing this letter in hope of having an opportunity to work in the prestigious GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore as a process engineer, having seen the company’s advertisement in the Straits Times Recruit.

The company’s desire for innovation and product excellence is an encouraging factor for me to apply for this position as I am a firm believer too. This belief that such abilities can be nurtured through having a variety of academic and working experience led me to do internships with TÜV SÜD PSB and a pharmaceutical company.

During my internships, aside from my usual duties to oversee certain processes, there were opportunities to work with resident engineers to discuss about innovation and pilot projects. We studied 10-year-old systems to look possibilities to save cost or replace parts to increase efficiency and software improvements to increase productivity.

Even as a choice of undergraduate course, I took the path less travelled as an applied chemist as it gave me the opportunity to go beyond pure theoretical chemistry into different areas such as materials and even engineering.

Learning and growing from all these experiences, gives me an edge over other applicants who never attempt to step out of their comfort zones. Thus I believe I can be a greater blessing to the GLOBALFOUNDRIES through innovating and breaking of new boundaries.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is a company which has an extensive network and a global footing. It is a leading foundry technology leader with a long heritage of manufacturing excellence. Its commitment to the area of innovation can be seen through its willingness to spend USD$1 Billion for R&D. Hence with a similar goal in mind, it will be an easy task for me to integrate into the working culture and work to benefit the company.

A letter and resume can say only so much about my motivation and qualification. Hence, I will be eagerly waiting and available to answer any queries. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank You for your consideration.

Yours Faithfully,

Tan Jonathan