2223T1 Seoul/Participant Information/Cara Loo
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About Cara
SMU email: cara.loo.2020@business.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cara-loo/
Academic Year: Year 2 (2020)
Degree: BSc Information Systems (Major in Business Analytics) and BBM Business Management (Major in Finance)
Why Virtual TSM?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
Personally, I would like to learn more about how entrepreneurship and innovation is driven in Asia, especially since cultures are considered more traditional and conservative. As such, I was surprised to learn that Korea was labeled the most innovative country in the world since a few years back and would love the chance to visit and understand how this came to be! Recently, I also got the chance to attend IIE/GII's networking event. There, I got to meet GII alumni who had interned at various startups around the world. They shared stories about the fast-paced, creative and exciting companies they worked in and the culture of entrepreneurship. Thus, I was attracted by TSM's offer of experiential, hands-on learning, where we will be able to talk to the business-owners themselves! From this, I hope to learn their motivations and challenges they face as an entrepreneur in Korea's high-context culture.
- Where would you like to visit?
In Korea, I would like to visit Seoul and Busan! The companies I would like to visit in Korea are Naver/Samsung/LG, and any gaming company! (I would also love to visit the prestigious SNU and see if the students there are more stressed than us…) Outside of Korea, I am also interested in visiting less developed countries in Asia as there are amazing opportunities there in terms of innovation and technology-driven solutions!
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
Currently, I am interested exploring tech in the healthcare sector. The industry has always appealed to me because of its "giving" nature, and am excited to see and experience the changes that will take place within it due to emerging and disruptive technology. I will actually be embarking on an internship with a health-tech start up this summer. From it, I hope to get more in touch with such emerging businesses, especially in less developed countries where healthcare is not as accessible or adequate in preventing and curing illness.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
Currently, I have no plans of starting a business as I feel I need more experience and to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset. (Also, I am still on the fence about what to do with my Finance degree.) As such, I would like to explore working in health tech start-ups first, to better understand the how to leverage opportunities, what opportunities to even look out for, and the challenges of starting such a business.
Past Experiences
Internships:
- Kindred (Healthtech Start-up in the Philippines) - Business Analyst (Incoming)
CCA:
- SMU Impact Investing - Analyst : Jan '22 - Current
- SMU Windsurfing - Honorary Finance Secretary : Oct '20 - Dec '21
- SMU Women's Soccer - Member : Jan '21 - Jan '22
