2223T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Pok Jing Kai Swinnerton
Contents
About Swinnerton
SMU email: jkpok.2021@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swinnertonpokjingkai/
Academic Year: Year 2 (2021)
Degree: BSc Information Systems (Major in Information Systems)
Why TSM?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
Since my ITE days, I've always liked to explore, innovate, and pitch, such as with SGTech, for solutions to improve for the better from Singapore’s perspective. With TSM, I would be able to gain valuable new insights beyond Singapore, from learning the process and research on startups to witnessing how startups technology plays an important role beyond our textbooks materials.
Also, having the opportunity to interact with students of similar interests, as well as the entrepreneurs' spirits to learn while visiting cities outside of our classroom. It is a completely new experience for me, and I am looking forward to the interaction because it will undoubtedly be an exciting experience!
Furthermore, given how Singapore and SMU support start-ups, TSM is a great opportunity and the first step for me to understand the process of learning better and gaining experience from the founders despite the high failure rate. I want to learn how to start up from other founders and hope to gain more insights from them and learn from their experience, and I'm excited to be a part of 2022/2023 Term 2 TSM.
- Where would you like to visit?
California, Silicon Valley as it is the home of many start-ups and has grown into tech giants like Google. It is also a “Disneyland” for me to explore physically, and I hope to have the chance to interact with the founders/ employee. Followed by China’s Silicon Valley Shenzhen because of its business-friendly policies by companies such as Tencent.
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
Business such as IT consulting firms that uses technologies such as Robotic Process Automation, the Internet of Things, and even robots like my buddy NAO (robot beside me). To help clients and SMEs address challenges with innovation to enable the transition along with Singapore’s aim towards digitalisation. Because our “comfort” today is defined by yesterday’s groundbreaking technologies allowing us to improve efficiency with technologies.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
My plan in starting a business is first to gain as much feedback and comments from professionals across various industries. This is why I have been pitching various IT-consulting use cases such as competitions with SGTECH (formerly SiTF) and iCodeiTell Startup pitching competition. To learn and gain more insights and look into the area for improvement. As I always find it fascinating to solve business issues with innovative technologies, and I look forward to exploring further with TSM.
Past Experiences
Internships:
- Shopee - Data Governance Intern (Part-time): Sep 2022 - Present
- Accenture - Java Full Stack Developer: May 2022 - Aug 2022
Working:
- Microsoft - Microsoft Student Partners: May 2017 - May 2019
- Arvato Supply Chain Solutions - Business Service Contractor: 2014
CCA:
- Ellipsis - Professional Development Executive: Jan 2021 - Present
- Tech Series 2022 - Hackathon Overall IC: August 2022 - September 2022
- SCIS Major Talks 2022 - Overall IC: August 2022
- Ellipsis Alumni Talks 2022 - Overall IC: August 2022
- NYP School of Information Technology Club - President: Jan 2017 - Dec 2018
Competition:
- iCodeiTell - NYP Startup Pitch category: Star Award (Golden pass to pursue Final Year Project)
- iCodeiTell - NYP Startup Pitch category: Silver Award
- SGTECH (formerly SiTF) - Best Innovative ICM Student Project (Tertiary): Best Presenter Award
- SGTECH (formerly SiTF) - Best Innovative ICM Student Project (Tertiary): Bronze Award
What keeps you ticking?
Curiosity, to explore and constantly learn new things.
