Yayasan Tenaga Nasional Interview Experience

Assalamualaikum and hello guys!

Today I would like to share my experiences on attending an interview to apply for Yayasan Tenaga Nasional Scholarship (YTN). The interview was held in conjunction of Sabah and Sarawak Pre-Intake for 2016. The interview sessions took place in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, and another city in Sarawak (hehe, I didn't quite remember the exact place). In Tawau, there were only 5 interviewees, and we were gathered in Marco Polo Hotel, Tawau. There were two MRSM students and three SBP students. This interview took place in January 2016, but the result will be announced in May 2016. Phewww.. Such a long wait..

A simple briefing about YTN Scholarship. This scholarship is responsibly hold under the company of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, a company which manages electricity supply in Malaysia. The courses offered are:-

- Electrical Power Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Accountancy

There were 2 programmes offered, which are overseas program and UNITEN program. For students who were offered to study overseas, they will be sent to either United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Twinning Program. Thus, they will undergo preparation programmes in either:-

- UNITEN
- INTEC Education College
- Kolej Yayasan UEM
- Kolej MARA Banting

The YTN scholars will be bonded with TNB for 7 years after completing their studies.

Interview Day

It was 18th January 2016; the day where SPM 2015 Leavers could buy the UPU Number Pin. However for five of us, we were burdened with a great mission, to secure ourselves for a scholarship to further our tertiary studies. When I entered the hotel, I was flabbergasted to see that the interview session took place until 5 p.m. I was just imagined for a long day with a lot of mind-boggling interview session. Luckily, we were briefed that there will be only an individual interview session, which indicating that there will be no group discussion or presentation. And I did finished my interview session at 10 a.m.

Bad news for me, I was the first interviewee to be called in. There were 3 panels; all were showing distinctive expressions. Some were looking bored (psycho :P) and one of them looked as if he was analysing my behaviour and appearance. I expected that they would be asking me gruelling questions regarding current issues, general knowledge and analysing skills. Nonetheless, I was so fortunate that I was only given uncomplicated yet trouble-free questions, such as:-

- Introduce youself
- Explain about your race ?
- Explain what do you know about AC and DC ?
- Where do you prefer to further your study ?
- Why do you choose Power Electrical Enginnering ?
- Why do you want to study in UK ? Why not other countries ?
- Share one your experience in joining a team-based competition.
- Explain one of your weakness .

I spend a few hours with other interviewees to chat with them regarding the questions that they were asked. They were also shocked when they were asked simple questions like if they were animals, what animal they would like to be. There were no questions regarding TNB and general knowledge like what we had read in others' blog. Perhaps they intended to provide a stress-free session with the Borneas. Who knows ?

Alhamdulillah, the result was out and my interview was successful. My self-curiosity has finally been answered.

Few tips from me:
- Be confident and be yourself!
- Read a bit about your courses
- Try to speak English in front of mirror
- Take few seconds to think before answering the questions
- Don't forget to bring all documents during interview :)