2021T2 VirtualTSM/Participant Information/Alvin
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Contents
About Alvin
SMU email: alvin.tan.2018@sis.smu.edu.sg
Facebook/Linkedin: Facebook LinkedIn
Academic Year: 3
Degree: Bachelor of Science (Information Systems)
Major: Digitalisation and Cloud Solutions
Why Virtual TSM?
What motivates you to join TSM?
I want to join TSM for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I feel that this study mission is unlike the rest, it pushes students to be an innovative and forward thinking individual evidently from this sign up process. Even though, the competition for this study mission is very steep with so many capable students signing up for it, it is still very appealing to me as I want to be pushed and challenged in order to improve myself.
Secondly, I want to learn skills that can help me build a long and successful career with and I know that the skills and knowledge acquire in this study mission is definitely transferable and will benefit me in the near future.
Thirdly, I want to join this TSM because of the amount of autonomy given to students to create their own start up projects. This creates an immense sense of satisfaction for me as I truly enjoy seeing my work coming into life.
Where would you like to visit virtually?
I would like to visit Silicon Valley in California if given a chance. I believe that it is the dream of many technology students like myself to visit the home of tech start ups and global technology companies. Besides that, I want to see how is it like to be working alongside some of the brightest minds in the technology industry as I strongly believe that this will help me to improve myself.
Starting a business
What types of business interest you?
I am interested in businesses that creates a social impact in particularly towards helping those in need. I feel that businesses should not exist to merely make profits instead should be thinking of how they can make a profit so that they can do something more.
What plan do you have in starting a business? (list existing business)
As cliché as it may be, I want to start a business that can help others as I believe that helping people through my business gives a feeling money cannot buy.
As I come from a less privileged family, I know how difficult it is for underprivileged youths to level their playing field with their peers. I would like to start a business that can provide some form of help to these group of people. One example off the top of my head would be:
Creating an online tuition platform that offers youth from low income families to have access to live streaming tuition videos conducted by some of the top teachers in Singapore. Moreover, provide on demand videos for these students because many of them do not have the luxury of time as they might have to work while they are schooling.
Past Experience
Work
Shopee Engineering Project Management – Internship [May 2020 – Dec 2020]
Singapore Management University – Student Helper for the Centre For Marketing Excellence [2019 - 2020]
Singapore Management University – Teaching Assistant for Executive MBA & MBA [2019]
SAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (36 SCE) – 1st Sergeant [2016 - 2018]
HSBC Mortgage Department – Internship [2015 - 2016]
Croute Café – Service Crew (Self Finance for Polytechnic Tuition Fees) [2013 - 2015]
Many other long term part time jobs throughout the years….
Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)
Singapore Management University Students’ Association – Operations & Logistics Deputy [2019-2020]
Community Service Project
Local Community Service Project – Canossaville Community and Children Services (CCCS) [2019]
Overseas Community Service Project – Project Enreach [2018]
Local Community Service Project – Blessing in a Bag [2015]
Competitions
Shopee – I'm the Best Coder! Challenge [2020]
What keeps you ticking?
Throughout the years, I have always live by this quote, "Always give your all in everything you do because when you look back, you will know you gave your best with what you had and you will be so grateful for how far you have come.", which explains why I applied for this study mission even when I knew it was going to be competitive.
I know that my experiences are not as diverse as some of the other students, but I will definitely give my all if I were to be selected.
