1718T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/ClaraChong
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About Clara
SMU email: clara.chong.2014@socsc.smu.edu.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarageous
Academic Year: Year 4
Degree: Social Sciences (Psychology)
2nd Major: Corporate Communications
Applying for Subsidy & Interested in Internship: Definitely yes!
Right place, Right time: I am an aspiring tech entrepreneur and I was already planning to go Silicon Valley for my grad trip to check the scene & build networks when this opportunity presented itself so I'm very excited :")!
Currently: Interning as a UI Designer & Project Executive at a Tech Startup + Doing a Psychology Thesis on the Culture of Busyness + being a regular student + a Teaching Assistant for my Professor for 2 years now + Leading a Cell Group in church for 5 years now + on track to graduate with first-class honours
I just came back from a 6.5 months exchange in California actually! <3 Click claraforniadreamin' to see my adventures (:
Books: Read Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf, Reading Swipe to Unlock: The Non-Coder's Guide to Technology and the Business Strategy behind it by Parth Detroja, Neel Mehta & Aditya Agashe
Why TSM Silicon Valley?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
For the longest time, I've known that being an entrepreneur was a career path that I'll eventually take. Many factors contribute to this:
1. My dad is a successful entrepreneur in China and my role model in terms of my career aspirations.
2. I am currently enjoying my internship at a tech company very much. My role involves conceptualising and designing digital user manuals for app users, improving user experience for existing clients, user testing and coming up with the design specs for our apps.
3. I like that the tech industry is always evolving at a fast pace because as a wise senior once told me, "the tech industry is a constantly changing landscape and you can jump in at any point and pick up from there and possible make a difference."
4. Literally, this opportunity dropped at a point in my life that couldn't have been more timely because I was already planning to go and I think that I'll learn a lot from TSM SV in terms of exposure and the collaborations between SMU students compared to going there by myself.
- Why pick Silicon Valley?
My *really far and ideal* future goal is to migrate to California, possibly Silicon Valley to start my company there. In the near future, I intend to take a MBA or a specialised Tech grad programme (hopefully at Stanford) or any of the colleges in California. Furthermore, I've been doing my research about incubator programs in SV and i intend to apply for some in the future. Basically, the question to ask is, why not pick Silicon Valley? ;P To me, it is the perfect place to learn about the tech industry (:
- Ideal Role in the Trip
I'll love to be the Silicon Valley Companies Co-ordinator because I have a strong interest in understanding and liaising with these companies who could potentially be my employers. :) Furthermore, I know of a SMU Alum who started her own company in SV and would like to see if the class is interested in meeting up and having startup stories and visits from SMU Alums in SV. Last but not least, my love for meeting new people and making new meaningful connections tells me that I'll be perfect for this role :)
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
Currently, my specific interests are in the Media and Comms Tech industry - businesses that transforms social interaction using technology. Nonetheless, I am generally interested in companies that want to make an impact on the world via technology.
Making a positive social change via the technology that we develop would be key in what interests me :)
- What plan do you have in starting a business?
I have a close friend who is a developer and doing the NUS NOC Programme in Israel. We are thinking of taking the next year to develop our business ideas (we have a few ideas for the travel and comms industry) before pitching them to VCs in the future.
I could also see myself working for more tech companies first and then starting my own company when I have more experience in the tech industry. However, my friend and I eventually would like to start our own tech company together.
Past Experiences (optional)
- President of Uni-Y SMU 2016
- Awards won: SMU Excellence in Student Life Gold Award (Individual) 2017, SMU Excellence in Student Life Gold Award (Club) 2017, YMCA-Lim Kim San Volunteer Excellence Award 2017
- SMU Social Science Dean’s List 2016
- Vocalist in SMU M.I.C (Aug 2014 - Dec 2016)
- Psychology Research Assistant 2016
- Media & Communications Intern at YMCA Singapore (May - Aug 2015)
- Transaction Specialist at Microsoft-Arvato (Jan - Apr 2014)
- SMU OCSP: Project Paham 2015
What keeps you ticking?
- Knowing that we can always care more and do more to make a difference in the world
- I love to sing, have been singing since 3 and in choir for a long time so I love exploring new genres of music too
- Loving others and Loving God :)
