My Purpose Defined- Patrick's Story

On this month’s feature, we had a sit-down one of our in-house lecturers, Patrick Melvin as he shares his teaching journey with us.

Before we begin, tell us more about yourself. How did your teaching journey start and what made you interested in teaching this course?

PM: Hi, my name is Patrick and I am a lecturer as well as the Head of the Food and Business Faculty at Trent Global College. I would consider myself a generalist as I have previously worked in various industries. The roles within these industries have strongly influenced my academic career hence the disciplines I take on are in the disciplines of Business, F&B and Hospitality & Tourism. Just a couple of fun facts about me:

• My biggest fear used to be public speaking
• I have an introverted personality
• I am Dyslexic

How did you find out about TGC? Why did you choose to play a part in educating the next generation?

PM: My mentor, Timothy Tan (currently a lecturer in TGC as well), introduced me to the world of teaching and coincidentally to TGC as well. A couple of years ago, I was discerning a vocation that would align with my true purpose. The more lectures I conducted, the more I found myself drawn to the world of education. It felt like this is where I was called to be. Perhaps those who share their talents and experiences find meaning in the lives they have lived. As a pracademic (practitioner and academic), I intend to help the future generation develop essential skills, knowledge, and values that can influence their future paths.

Share with us how you keep your classes engaging for everyone.

PM: I am a storyteller (my 2 ½ year old son can attest to that) so I incorporate real life examples and metaphors into my teaching. I also infuse gamification to make the learning more enjoyable and immersive, capturing the student’s attention and motivating them to actively participate.

What’s a typical day as a lecturer for you?

PM: A typical day for me starts at 7am, where I prioritize my physical health by practicing Muay Thai at the gym. I aim to reach the office by 8am to prepare for my classes. Before each lesson, I review my deck of slides, no matter how many times I have taught that module. I tend to research quite extensively to ensure my curriculum is up-to-date and in line with current trends. Additionally, there are administrative tasks to complete, such as grading papers and moderating exam results. When I am not lecturing, I also serve as a mentor to students in the areas of academic supervision, possible career paths, or further studies.

Share with us a memorable event in your teaching career at TGC which motivate you.

PM: Once a student came to me after completing his module to tell me that initially, he was not interested in coming to school but after attending my lecture he was motivated to want to come to class to become a better version of himself. That event has made a deep impression on me, and it keeps me going on tough days. I always tell my students that no matter how high this ‘mountain’ ahead of us is, we will conquer it together.

Share with us which (ONE) of the following ‘T’ or ‘G’ adjectives you relate with the most from your teaching journey in TGC and why it stood out to you.

‘ G – Gratitude.’

PM: I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to teach, inspire, guide and be a beacon of hope and light to these students in TGC. I advocate that the best way to learn is to teach. And believe me when I say I learn each and everyday.

As we close off, we got Patrick to share his final thoughts about his teaching journey here at TGC.

PM: There is a unique personal story behind every student, young and old. You are pursuing your studies for different reasons and you are facing different circumstances and challenges. You’re unique, and so is your particular educational journey.

‘ Have faith and recognize that as long as you do your best and work in a way that is true to your motivations and personality, you will reach your destination.’

We are delighted to be a part of Patrick’s journey of purpose and growth here at Trent Global College, we hope that his story continues to inspire all the educators that as you sow a seed of knowledge into the present, it shall reap a bountiful harvest in the future.

Find out more about our Food Business courses here.