Final Day - Goodbye?

We rushed into the presentation room first thing in the morning, checking and changing stuffs at the eleventh hour. We were even finding music to go together with our photo slide show, and time was running out! And then we also managed to buy some cakes for the audience, just a little treat from us. But there was just this mixed feeling of nervousness yet reluctance to leave today.

Presentation like a boss

Signing the consent forms

Soon, our lecturers, Mr Wong and Dr Low arrived, and then all the departmental heads, who were our mentors as well, came in the room and it was like a full house crowd! Some even had to stand because there weren't enough chairs! Everyone was trying to pass cups of coffee around, what a commotion! And soon after, the Managing Director, Ms. Annie arrived. Ah the tension!

Started off by showing photos of what we did

The room full of departmental heads. Actually the others came in later, imagine the crowd.

Hoping that our proposal made sense

Lecturers giving feedback 

Our presentation went fairly well, with the lecturers and mentors giving back good feedback and ways to improve the proposal. People say that, when the audience gives pointers to point out our mistakes or to improve our presentation, it means that they actually are listening and are interested in the proposal as well. Our mentors also said that we did well, so that was a huge relieve! 

Then, it was time for us to receive certs from the MD, and also a group photo!

Soon after, we had a great oriental lunch.

From left: Mei Wen, Rathika

The day ended early for us for the last day at IPEP. It certainly was a great experience which we hope have benefited all of you as well. Is it farewell forever? Or, on the other hand, a new beginning, in MSD, and in life? =)

Photos with our mentors:

From left: Rosalind, IPEP-ies, Sel Hwee

From Left: Sheen Wei. IPEP-ies, Sel Hwee

From left: Li Lynn, Sheen Wei, IPEP-ies, Stephanie, Rathika

IPEP-ies with Felicia

Best memory ever, friendship forever

Thank you MSD!

Day 19 - Training on Training

Second last day...today is the last day in our own IPEP room. Tomorrow will be in the big meeting room for the whole time. Everything seems give that nostalgic feeling...like today's session is the last "lecture learning" session, which we were taught on the Training Department in pharma companies.

Not all pharma companies invest in training of staffs, and MSD is well known to churn out thoroughly-trained sales reps and department associates. The training starts on the first day of the job and last up to a month, ranging from basic sciences up to reading clinical papers. There are some cases that new staffs undergo training and then "jumps" to another company, in other words, taking advantage on MSD's hard effort. Product specialists do get paid on their first month, even if it was purely training and no work yet! See how ethical MSD is?

Basically, the training is from theory, and then assessment. Written examinations! But not essay questions, just short-answer questions. Passing mark is 80% though, so no short-cuts, product specialists have to memorize thoroughly the whole Package Insert! 

The training syllabus not only covers customer-centric approach (how to deal with a particular customer), it also covers micromarketing, which is how to deal with a certain group of customers. A lot of role play and discussion among reps are carried out in order to bring out new ideas. Training here is not so much one-way spoonfeeding, but more towards facilitating the development of one's soft skills. Many companies will just throw you into the swimming pool and see how fast you can learn to swim (or to see whether you have learned how to swim already and try to retain you in the company), and if you drown, that's your problem. But MSD welcomes anyone who has the attitude to learn and strive hard, so they teach you science, even if you came from a non-science background.

Today wasn't that heavy a day. Our mentors reviewed our slides for the presentation tomorrow. And we got free lunch from office caterers! There was also another training session in another department, and since we were also being "trained" about training by trainers from the training department, we get to train our taste buds too! XD

Chicken rice, better than any of those kopitiam downstairs! Thank you MSD!

We get to have free MIMS! Yay!

My final mug of afternoon coffee with crackers....=/

Time flies while we were having fun...