The case for perspective

Because I like reading valedictorian speeches, but am unlikely to ever be called upon to give one, I decided to write my valedictorian speech right now, haha.

So here goes... To the graduating class of WKWSCI 2008, the kickass valedictorian speech you will never get to hear because of my string of C's in Yr 1, haha.

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For inspiration.

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Perspective. If there was one word I learned in four years at SCI, which embodied the difference between good and great in communications, this is it. More accurately, the ability to understand the person you are communicating with; to put yourself in his/her shoes.

In short, perspective.

Indeed, the truly great in our fields of Journalism, PR, Advertising, Research and Broadcast, all have the ability to distance themselves from the mediocre because they have the ability to empathize with their interviewee; client; public; audience; sample population; vox pop participant.

In no other field will this ability to feel for your fellow man be more prized than ours. How do you place a price tag on EQ? Perhaps that is why we tend not to be paid very much at all (or insert other random joke here).

How will we as journalists write stories about people if we can't put ourselves in their shoes?

How will we as PR professionals deal with unreasonable clients if we can't see for ourselves the pressure they themselves mus be feeling?

How will we as advertising creatives continue to produce work of outstanding creativity if we do not have a perspective which is unique?

How will we as directors and producers be able to grasp what the average Singaporean wants to see if we cannot take our turn on the couch?

My friends, for four short years I have had the pleasure of being in your company. Through the many projects, exams, time spent catching up at the benches, I have come to realise how truly diverse we are; and how incredible it is that, despite that, we have become more than just schoolmates.

I will always remember the parties, the mass study groups we had late into the night, the passionate discussions in Cenite's Modern History class, where we had to come face to face with why we behave the way we behave, and it wasn't always pretty. I will remember Hedwig's advice to always use "said" instead of "quipped", Mr. Duffy's groovy car, and how to quote people in APA style.

So thank you teachers, for helping us gain a deeper appreciation of the world we live in. To the class of 2008, I wish you good luck in all your future endeavours.

Thank you.