My training with AM-OSP has been an eye opener. Doing business in the manufacturing sector, they are capable of producing steel sections of various length and sections and sell it to the contractor in return of a standard fee. The standard fee, is derived from the contractor's cost savings by outsourcing the design and supply of such sheet piles.
In OSP, the engineers (they are not called engineers, but technical manager/ director/ design manager etc) sometimes have to take into account commercial accountability. (Eg. You can design for an FOS of 1.5 and loose to a bolder competitor whom adopts a FOS of 1.35 OR you can design with a FOS of 1.35 which violate the standard code of practice that states that soil structures should be given a FOS of 1.5 and close the sales.) This type of business exists conflict of interest. These design managers will have to propose a suitable length of sheet pile taking into ecomical interest and provide their services to the contractors. However, the final decision for the contractors to use the sheet piles are in the hands of the consultants, as it is the consultants whom are responsible to ensure that the temperory works/ structural works will not fail during construction. If the consultants are satisfied with the design, they will allow the contractor to proceed with the design. However, if they are dissatisfied, they will reject the design. Being a design manager in OSP, he will then counter propose another solution to win back the project, and keep proposing until he gets it. In order to have the edge in his design, he will implement all sorts of design strategies such as Tie Rod or Strutting used in combination with the sheet piles. As a designer specialising in sheet piling solution, he will also have to take into account sheet pile suitability for driving, driving equipment, corner/ turning connection, splicing, staggered arrangement, combination of pipes with sheet piles etc. With all these knowledge, he will then be able to suit it to his preferences on the design and come out with a economical design which will give him the advantage amongst his competitors.
Not only that, OSP is buying odd lengths (rejected sheet piles from AM or other manufacturers) and use it for contingency purposes. This is smart, because you are selling your toxic assets. Also, OSP is backed by ArcelorMittal, the largest steel producer in the world based in Luxembourg. This 2 reasons explains why they are capable of surviving from the Japanese competitors.
Talking about Japanese competitors, their sections are quite competitive. From my preliminary observations, the Japanese and Europeans adopts a different strategy in producing these sheet piles. For the same dimension of sheet piles say 1.5m wide, the Japanese will adopt a thicker section at lower steel strength, whilst the Europeans will adopt a thinner section at higher steel strength. Then by using the formula of Moment Capacity, Mc=pyZ where Z depends on the dimension and thickness of the section, the designer will find that the Momemt capacity will have approximate value for both Japanese and European produced sheet piles. The pros and cons of these strategies will be that the Japanese will be able to win projects in corrosive environment, however, the steel production will be more costly than that of the european because of the production cost for thicker section is higher.
Whilst for OSP contractors, it is expected from them that they can understand machinery placing, logistics and arrivals of materials, manpower efficiency as well as site conditions and solve problems arised from unforeseen circumstances. He should also be familiar with all the tests availble on different elements (CBR for Ground of Airport Highway, FDT for normal usage Highway etc) as the consultants will sometimes specify which types of tests needed to be done in order to come out with a suitable design.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Energy Booster!
For those whom have played starcraft before, you must be aware of Terran's marines special ability where when activated, the marine is capable of shooting faster than he normally does. That ability is called The "STIMPACK". I, am currently on that mode. It's not drugs ok.
This year marks the end of my University years. Although I landed not where I want to be (Shell & Schlumberger... Arrggh, screw you, I'll be back!), it is also not somewhere that I anticipated either. I'll be in Singapore to pursue my dreams and to my luck, I am invited to the company's annual dinner even before I started work, moreover, it is in PHUKET! (Ffk-ed my coursemates for not going Phuket, but happens that I am going there nevertheless!). Other than that, this year I've gone through two Annual dinners even before I graduate. This explains the temporary stimpack. Not forgetting, two other upcoming interviews where I expect to negotiate for more than RM/SGD3k pay per month! Who says fresh grad gets below RM2.5k.
Too bad my dreams for going into the consulting line (which promises a better future with IR) is shortlived. Maybe I'll be back to this line after a few years. Who knows. Can't wait for the future. Till then, Keep Motivated!
This year marks the end of my University years. Although I landed not where I want to be (Shell & Schlumberger... Arrggh, screw you, I'll be back!), it is also not somewhere that I anticipated either. I'll be in Singapore to pursue my dreams and to my luck, I am invited to the company's annual dinner even before I started work, moreover, it is in PHUKET! (Ffk-ed my coursemates for not going Phuket, but happens that I am going there nevertheless!). Other than that, this year I've gone through two Annual dinners even before I graduate. This explains the temporary stimpack. Not forgetting, two other upcoming interviews where I expect to negotiate for more than RM/SGD3k pay per month! Who says fresh grad gets below RM2.5k.
Too bad my dreams for going into the consulting line (which promises a better future with IR) is shortlived. Maybe I'll be back to this line after a few years. Who knows. Can't wait for the future. Till then, Keep Motivated!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Schlumberger
It has been a long time since the feeling of emotional surge, heart pumping fast and impatience overwhelm my whole self. Today was 3 initial stages out of a total of 7, though it's still far from grasping the job, it was quite an accomplishment by ousting some of the best minds in University Malaya.
There were around 30 odd candidates from University Malaya, were shortlisted for the first stage of interview, 20 got through the second interview and the last 10 person were the only candidates left to be labeled KIV and pending further elimination. These 10 person will join another 20 odd candidates from UTP and UTM as well. So giving rise to a competition of 30 odd graduates (bachelor's degree and masters - mostly mechanical, chemical, geo scientists, petroleum engineers) for only a few positions in Schlumberger.
Tough competition it may seem, this blog is written for another purpose.
First stage of interview, I was given only 2 minutes to describe myself. I took the liberty to describe my RM 1,750 deal, WWW's signature, and Lifebuoy sales event. Until she stopped me and asked about What do i understand about geomechanics. Initially, I didn't quite understand what geomechanics was until she gave me the hint that Lau (my coursemate) could explain very well. That immediately gave me the idea to what it is, it is actually soil mechanics. That hint saved me and got me to the second stage.
Second stage of interview, it was a group dynamic session where 2 candidates were eliminated for not listening to instructions ( they did not write their name on the papers). A group of 3 with each having 6 members were tasked to solve a hotel scenario. The hotel is clouded with 7 matters that requires urgent solution. Our task is to solve the 7 matters in sequence and to justify our selection. Reading through the 7 matters, it immediately struck me that it can be divided into 2 broad categories, the technical matter and the services matter. We then divided ourselves into 2 teams with each team having a group of 3 person, to be in charged of our respective teams. This idea immediately gave our team the edge of being able to put all 7 solution in sequence within the fastest time, we had the time to do presentation rehearsal and we had the time to critique our members. With what we came out with, we presented them on stage and explained our solution. Our main idea into splitting the 7 matters into 2 categories was because both can be run in parallel and it saves cost and time. This idea immediately gave me the full support of my team members and they elected me as a team leader. They fully backed me up during the presentation and I was given most of the credits for coming out with this idea. It was out of my expectation that all 5 was praising that I'm a good leader. All in all, we synchronized very well and our team was the only team that has 4 members shortlisted for the third interview.
Third stage of interview was a 1 on 1 interview where I stated my preferences on where I want to work and what kind of position I would like to apply for. However there was a flaw, I could not explain what field engineers in Schlumberger do. I tried to convince the interviewer that our task was to manage team A and team B in the field and to choose whichever equipment was best used in certain conditions. She refuted by saying that it is a manager's role not a field engineer's role. I should have come out with an idea to counter that statement, but it was too late. She further asked on whether I could swim, how long can I work on the rig, anyone that I know working in with Schlumberger etc. All in all, I did not think this went well as my idea for the position was not clear enough.
Now all I can do is post these 3 stages here and wait for a phone call to confirm that I am clear for the 4th, which is a painstaking process. Crossing fingers that I hope I get through.
(p/s: I was the only male chinese with bachelor's degree who got to the 3rd stage, there are 3 other chinese, 1 male with masters, 2 female with masters. The rest are 3 malays with degree from mechanical UM, 1 malay with Mechanical degree from UK - Kuok Scholar, the rest are unknown.)
There were around 30 odd candidates from University Malaya, were shortlisted for the first stage of interview, 20 got through the second interview and the last 10 person were the only candidates left to be labeled KIV and pending further elimination. These 10 person will join another 20 odd candidates from UTP and UTM as well. So giving rise to a competition of 30 odd graduates (bachelor's degree and masters - mostly mechanical, chemical, geo scientists, petroleum engineers) for only a few positions in Schlumberger.
Tough competition it may seem, this blog is written for another purpose.
First stage of interview, I was given only 2 minutes to describe myself. I took the liberty to describe my RM 1,750 deal, WWW's signature, and Lifebuoy sales event. Until she stopped me and asked about What do i understand about geomechanics. Initially, I didn't quite understand what geomechanics was until she gave me the hint that Lau (my coursemate) could explain very well. That immediately gave me the idea to what it is, it is actually soil mechanics. That hint saved me and got me to the second stage.
Second stage of interview, it was a group dynamic session where 2 candidates were eliminated for not listening to instructions ( they did not write their name on the papers). A group of 3 with each having 6 members were tasked to solve a hotel scenario. The hotel is clouded with 7 matters that requires urgent solution. Our task is to solve the 7 matters in sequence and to justify our selection. Reading through the 7 matters, it immediately struck me that it can be divided into 2 broad categories, the technical matter and the services matter. We then divided ourselves into 2 teams with each team having a group of 3 person, to be in charged of our respective teams. This idea immediately gave our team the edge of being able to put all 7 solution in sequence within the fastest time, we had the time to do presentation rehearsal and we had the time to critique our members. With what we came out with, we presented them on stage and explained our solution. Our main idea into splitting the 7 matters into 2 categories was because both can be run in parallel and it saves cost and time. This idea immediately gave me the full support of my team members and they elected me as a team leader. They fully backed me up during the presentation and I was given most of the credits for coming out with this idea. It was out of my expectation that all 5 was praising that I'm a good leader. All in all, we synchronized very well and our team was the only team that has 4 members shortlisted for the third interview.
Third stage of interview was a 1 on 1 interview where I stated my preferences on where I want to work and what kind of position I would like to apply for. However there was a flaw, I could not explain what field engineers in Schlumberger do. I tried to convince the interviewer that our task was to manage team A and team B in the field and to choose whichever equipment was best used in certain conditions. She refuted by saying that it is a manager's role not a field engineer's role. I should have come out with an idea to counter that statement, but it was too late. She further asked on whether I could swim, how long can I work on the rig, anyone that I know working in with Schlumberger etc. All in all, I did not think this went well as my idea for the position was not clear enough.
Now all I can do is post these 3 stages here and wait for a phone call to confirm that I am clear for the 4th, which is a painstaking process. Crossing fingers that I hope I get through.
(p/s: I was the only male chinese with bachelor's degree who got to the 3rd stage, there are 3 other chinese, 1 male with masters, 2 female with masters. The rest are 3 malays with degree from mechanical UM, 1 malay with Mechanical degree from UK - Kuok Scholar, the rest are unknown.)
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