Me, Science-based but Now into Writing... How come?

This is a fun piece that my son did on my. Having taught a group of young children creative writing, I suggested to them to interview their parents and write something about them. After writing their essays, I helped to improve on their style of writing. Here is a piece done by my 12-year-old son on me ... 

Operating on Both Sides of the Brain

By Shaun Ng

4 December 2020

 

Not many people can operate on both left and right brain at the same time.

         The example of Stephen Ng, a chemist-turned-media consultant is an interesting story.

         The father of two, aged 56, said that since young, he realised that he could use a pair of scissors with both right and left hands.

         “I always believe that one can operate on both sides of the brain at different times,” he said, referring to the theory of left- and right-brained dominance.

         “I can be both analytical and methodical in my thinking as well as being creative or artistic, if I want to. It is important that we realise God has given us both sides of the brain for us to use.”

         The left and right brain theory says that people whose left brain is dominant are more analytical and methodical in their thinking. This applies usually to people who are engineers, lawyers, scientists and accountants.

         The right-brained people are more creative and artistic. Examples of these people are the musicians, advertisers and artists.

         In his younger days, Ng was interested in the sciences. He completed his degree in Chemistry at Monash University in Australia, before entering into the chemical industry.

         “I was working as an assistant chemist in Australia after I graduated,” he said. “On returning to Malaysia, I joined a printing ink company as a chemist. When opportunity came, I was recruited to be the assistant production manager of a small paint company.”

         This gave him a wide experience in managing all aspects of the factory, from R&D work to purchasing and production management.      

         Later, he applied to become Laboratory Manager with a multinational company based in Seremban, producing emulsion polymers. He had to live there during the weekdays and returned home to Kuala Lumpur during the weekends.

         After spending a few years there, he felt it was too tiring for him to be living in two places. He decided it was time to relocate back to Kuala Lumpur. “Interestingly, I landed myself in a chemical sales manager position,” he laughed.

         While working, he was also studying part time to pursue his interest in marketing and at the same time, writing for the newspapers, earning some part time income.

         Around 1997, after a couple of years of self-study, he received his postgraduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in United Kingdom.

         “Now, as a sales manager, I realised that this wasn’t what I wanted to do,” he said. “I wanted to do marketing.”

         One fine day, he visited a private college with the idea of selling them water treatment chemicals for their cooling towers and chillers. During the visit, he met with the Managing Director.

         “I was surprised when the Managing Director told me that Monash has a campus in Malaysia,” he said. “Being an alumnus, I didn’t even know that the Monash Malaysia existed!”

         Ng then suggested many ideas of how the university could promote itself. Before long, he was recruited to join Monash Malaysia as its senior marketing manager, in charge of both marketing and corporate communications.

         “It was like a dream,” he said. “I never thought of going into the education industry but because I received a phone call from the Managing Director to consider joining them, I was happy to take up a marketing position.”

         He was a workaholic. Within a few years, he helped to boost up the image of the university campus in its early beginnings. Because of his experience as a part time journalist, and his wide network of contacts, he was able to create public visibility for Monash Malaysia through advertisements, media publicity and Corporate Social Responsibility events.

         After several years, he decided to take up another more senior role as Director of Corporate Communications in two other private universities, before deciding to come out to do his own media consultancy in 2008. He wanted more flexibility with his time to pursue another interest in writing books.

         Since then, he has been a media consultant, a writer with a number of newspapers and magazines covering business, food reviews, travel and feature stories, as well as an author of some 15 books that were commissioned by his clients. One of the books that is a bestseller in Malaysia is the title, “Where is Pastor RaymondKoh?”

         Currently, he is writing another book on a local business tycoon, which he hopes to complete by December 20, this year.

         Recently, he also completed his Master of Christian Ministry with a local seminary. When I asked if he was planning to be a pastor, he just laughed.

         “Me? A pastor? Never! I just did the masters programme because of my desire to study theology,” he replied. “I am now thinking of doing my doctorate degree.

         “But, before I do that, I must consult my lovely wife who has to look after the children whenever I have to be away for a whole week long at least twice a year. Besides, I will also need time to work on the dissertation, while continuing my business as a media consultant, an author and a home chef!”

         Having interviewed Stephen Ng, my father, I am convinced now that we can operate on both sides of the brain. We can be creative and artistic; at the same time, be analytical and exercise critical thinking.