The presentation

January 31, 2007

Here are some quotes from my presentation last week and what I really thought about them. Bear in mind that these quotes are from professors who were evaluating my research.

  1. “I think you’re too ambitious.” (Ambitious is wrong WHY?????)
  2. “I don’t quite understand what your research is about.” (This coming from a person who had her eyes closed for a FEW minutes while I was presenting!)
  3. “I think you need to diversified your literature review. It’s quite weak.”
  4. “I commend you on a job well-done with your literature review.” (Refer to #3 and go HUH????)
  5. “Why don’t you do a comparison of China and India?” (India?!?! I’m having a hard time grasping China’s history as it is.)
  6. “Yes, that’s a very good idea. If it’s really good, we may just upgrade you to a PHD.” (This is in response to quote #5. My thoughts: PHD?!?!?!? ARE YOU PEOPLE INSANE??? SIAWWWWW)

While all that was going on inside my head, I had to have smile on my face, nodding and saying things like “That’s a good suggestion. I’ll consider that” or “I understand, I will research that further” or “Thank you. I’ll make a note of that”. I felt SO fake. Oh well, I guess that’s how it is when you’re faced with criticisms from the “upper level”. I’m sure it’s the same thing in the working world.

The thing that bugged me the most was the patronizing I got from them. I am no genius, I’m just a girl who wants to do a masters research on China’s rise as an economic superpower. My presentation SUCKED big time. My confidence just went downhill during the first 5 minutes because one of them had their eyes CLOSED. I mean, what kind of impression do you think you give if someone’s practically “sleeping” while you’re talking in front? The looks I got, the stares…believe me, my ego wasn’t just partially bruised. It was CRUSHED into little itty bitty pieces, if not, just powdery thingies!

I’m not sure whether I have to do the presentation again but I’m meeting with the supervisor tomorrow to discuss on the presentation and where I’m going from here on.

Anyway, it’s lunch time so I’m going to make me some food.

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