1415T2g1 South Korea/Participant Information/Koh Shao Jun
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Shao Jun
Name: Koh Shao Jun
Year: 2012
Degree: Business Management (Marketing)
2nd Major: Corporate Communications
Interests: Doing graphics designs, Playing violin, Running, Kayaking, Reading, Sleeping
CCA:SMUX
Internship: Business development and marketing intern at an online start-up company.
Why TSM South Korea?
Motivations For Joining TSM
To learn through experience about the process that technology entrepreneurs use to start companies. Not just about maximising the operational productivity of each level of business function, but more of understanding what it takes to grow a technology idea to monetize it, and subsequently transiting from a start-up to an enterprise.
As what PM Lee Hsien Loong mentioned in his speech at the NTU Ministerial Forum early this year, IT, software, robotics, will permeate every facet of our lives. Today, we imagine 3D printing as the leading edge. But in half a century’s time, it will be as quaint as a cyclostyle machine today. It is interesting and exciting to find out the stories behind these various kinds of technopreneurship initiatives, and even more to be able to get involved in them. As such, I believe the experiences gained through TSM South Korea would definitely be valuable.
Why South Korea?
South Korea is my ideal TSM destination as I believe Asia’s influence in the world will grow stronger in time to come. Standing at the forefront of technological innovations with a strong globalised economy, South Korea is definitely a top choice for any Singaporean technopreneur to expand into the neighbouring regions. Being able to start learning about a mature and similar market such as South Korea will greatly broaden my horizons.
In addition, what sets South Korea apart is also its strong soft power. Despite possessing a rich heritage, it is also a culturally diverse country. There may be an intriguing correlation between the attractiveness of South Korean culture and its economic success.
Internship Opportunities
What Type of Internship Opportunities Interest You?
- Social utility and communications technology sector. With considerable certainty, technology will change dramatically in ways nobody can imagine now. Probably in twenty years' time, many people would not even remember what is Facebook or Instagram - either it will have disappeared or it will have changed and become something totally unrecognisable. I find it satisfying to be involved in the development of technology tools that serves practical use in people's everyday lives, such as mobile communication, social media platforms, online shopping or social market place applications (e.g. Line, Instagram, Carousell, etc).
- Marketing sector.
To keep up with consumers' demand and retain their loyalty in today's ever competitive business environment, it is vital to differentiate ourselves and build a strong brand image. The perceived value of a product/service is as important, or even more important, than its actual.
Any Ideal Firms In South Korea?
Do not have any specific companies that I'm targeting currently. I believe each has their own to offer, and it is ultimately up to ourselves to grab any good opportunity that comes along and make the best out of it.
However, I would prefer to join an organisation that has a more friendly and close-knitted culture despite the different working styles of the people.
Starting A Business
Types Of Businesses Which Interest Me
Same as my interests in internship opportunities, as they are the areas which I would like to explore more about.
What plan do you have in starting a business?
No concrete plans at the moment yet, as I feel that I have yet to gain enough experience and foresight in growing any potential business ideas.
Past Experiences
In my previous internship, I worked at an online-based start-up company during its early phases. We started with a very small pool of staff, but there were big ideas in place for the web portal for its future global expansion. Through the various things that I was exposed to do, it enabled me to understand the intricacies of amalgamating online and offline channels to provide a one-stop service for education-seekers. It was a fruitful experience through: • Content creation and maintenance for online portal • Business proposal to attract clients • Graphics designing skills and storyboarding for on-screen advertisement • Event-planning to launch portal
