2324T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Clarissa Koh
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About Clarissa Koh
SMU email: clarissakoh.2022@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-koh-566a32216
Academic Year: Year 2
Degree: BSc (Software Engineering) WSDeg
Why Virtual TSM?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
My motivation to join TSM stems from a deep-seated passion for the transformative potential of technology, specifically in the realms of data and AI. As a software engineering student, I am captivated by the ways in which innovative applications of data and AI are reshaping industries and societies. TSM, to me, symbolises an unparalleled opportunity for intellectual enrichment and real-world understanding. I am driven by the prospect of immersing myself in the epicenter of technological innovation, Silicon Valley, where ideas are known to be nurtured. The chance to learn directly from pioneers, absorb the entrepreneurial spirit of the region, and connect with visionaries who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible is incredibly inspiring.
Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy the thrill of exploring new places and cultures, meticulously planning each detail to ensure a seamless and enriching travel experience. Being an avid planner, I find joy in organising and strategising, and I'm enthusiastic about contributing my skills to assist in planning every aspect of this trip, ensuring it's not just a journey but a remarkable learning adventure.
- Where would you like to visit?
For my deep interest in Data and AI, I would like to visit Databricks, Open AI and NVIDIA.
DATABRICKS
Databricks is the developer of Delta Lake, an open-source project that brings reliability to data lakes for machine learning and other cases. Databricks is a software company that was founded by Apache Spark creators. Their platform was developed for working with Spark and provides automated cluster management and Python-style notebooks.
OPENAI
OpenAI is arguably the company that brought AI to the forefront of the public’s imagination thanks to the release of the wildly popular ChatGPT. The company knows this well and is still considered the leader in large language models where it’s pushing the envelope of what an LLM can do.
NVIDIA
Nvidia Corporation is the inventor of graphics processing units, GPUs, that create interactive graphics on computers, mobile devices, supercomputers, and more. Nvidia is now pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) that could transform major industries.
Technopreneurship encompasses entrepreneurship while emphasising the pivotal role of technology. Starting a business involves much more than technology, including fostering a positive workplace environment and strategising expansion. Because of these holistic perspectives, I'm interested in visiting companies like Adobe and Alphabet to explore their innovative approaches to business, technology, and employee well-being.
ADOBE
From 2016-2021, Adobe was named one of Fortune Magazine's top 25 workplaces worldwide for six consecutive years. Adobe made these lists because of their dedication to employees' career development and well-being, as well as a diverse and inclusive workplace.
ALPHABET inc
Alphabet Inc. is the holding company of Google, created through a restructuring in 2015. As of 2016, Alphabet had acquired over 200 other companies. YouTube, Waze, Fitbit, and Mandiant are a few of the many tech companies owned by Alphabet.
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
The world of data and AI-driven enterprises fascinates me due to its limitless potential for innovation. I am particularly intrigued by startups and businesses that are leveraging AI to solve intricate problems in diverse fields. From predictive analytics and natural language processing to computer vision and machine learning applications, these businesses are reshaping industries and revolutionising user experiences. Ethical AI development is a cause close to my heart, and I am drawn to enterprises that are committed to developing technology responsibly and inclusively.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
I don't have specific plans at the moment, but I'm eager to learn about starting a business, especially in the realms of data and AI and in turn learn more about myself and where my passion may specifically lie in. I believe that this trip to Silicon Valley is a chance for me to gain these insights.
However, if I would to envision my future business, I am particularly drawn to the realms of data and AI. These technologies not only fuel my curiosity but also represent powerful tools for solving complex problems. My goal is to create a business that utilises data-driven insights and AI solutions to address real-world challenges.
Past Experiences (optional)
Internships:
Chope Data Intern (Data Science Team)
August 2023 - December 2023
- Leveraged cloud-based technology, specifically Google Cloud Platform (GCP), to orchestrate seamless ETL pipelines for complex machine learning projects.
- Aided in the initiative to improve the search engine's efficiency by refining the keyword classification algorithm using enhanced BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers).
- Led the research of Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) into the Recommendation Engine, enhancing personalised content suggestions for users.
- Improved the long-term sustainability of our systems by strategically transitioning to a more stable and scalable data source. Collaborated closely with the QA team to conduct comprehensive testing, validating the resilience of the new data source under various scenarios.
- Contributed to optimising search algorithms that consists of existing technologies such as Elasticsearch for efficient indexing, Docker for streamlined deployment, and Kubernetes for enhanced scalability.
- Actively participated in Agile methodologies, including sprints, stand-up meetings and project management tools like JIRA.
SMU Academy (Special Projects)
January 2023 - August 2023
- Led the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) and orchestrated the development of processes to procure essential data for the Communications Team.
- Utilised Python, harnessing the power of essential libraries including NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib, not only to proficiently collect and cleanse data but also to unearth valuable insights. These insights served as the foundation for creating comprehensive and insightful data dashboards in PowerBI.
- Developed and deployed a data processing program using a stack of technologies, including Python, Flask, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This program streamlined the data collection and cleaning process, ensuring data integrity and facilitating its integration into our dashboard system. The solution proved to be a sustainable and company-wide resource for efficient data management.
- Utilised Power Automate and Excel Scripting to collect and clean data as well.
Leadership:
- Vice-Chairperson of Vivace
- Operations Director of Climb
- Operations Executive of Ellipsis
- Operations Executive of Inter-Faculty Games
- Subcommittee of Fintech (Developer)
- Started a student initiative called that hopes to empower the younger generation despite their background (socioeconomic status, gender, school etc.) in Technology through the provision of resources and opportunities. We hosted a virtual career fair with mentors from Facebook, Seedly, Fave and more and partnered with Secondary School without STEM programs and social service agencies.
