2324T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Rachel Lim
About Rachel
SMU email: rachel.lim.2020@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheljoeelim/
Academic Year: Year 4 (2020)
Degree: BSc Information Systems (Major in Digitalisation and Cloud Solutions & Business Analytics)
Why Virtual TSM?
- What motivates you to join TSM?
Wow, its Silicon Valley, a dream experience! As a final year student, I hope to embrace this experience that is hard to come by. Being a student has provided me valuable skills like leadership, teamwork, organization and communication. The TSM experience will empower me to apply these skills while embarking on a self-discovery journey. It is more essential than ever to embrace the enterprising spirit and find my calling as I step into the corporate world. I am also currently enrolled in IS425 Digital Transformation Strategy, and curious to draw the link between digital transformation/digital business concepts to technopreneurship concepts.
Moreover, as my aunt and uncle run a distribution business and I have acquired insightful learning points from their experience, I hope to apply them in TSM.
Lastly, I heard that there is some form of itenary planning, and I am excited to do that with fellow students! It will be a fun trip for everyone :)
- Where would you like to visit?
Silicon Valley: Google, Netflix, LinkedIn, Salesforce, Zoom, Agrihood
Starting a business
- What types of business interest you?
I am interested in business with technology that provides value to users and continues to strive for social good. For example, I recently read about the project who achieved first in the Huawei Tech Contest. The project involved building a smart traffic light that gives seniors and people with disabilities more time to cross the road safely. Although this solution is at an early stage and not a full-bloom business, their motivation to use technology to serve the vulnerable group was commendable. I hope to be in a business with technology that uplifts people's lives.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
Recently, my friend resigned from her corporate job and embarked on a breathwork course overseas to be certified as a freelance instructor. She had to rely on close contacts to start a small class in Singapore and faced challenges to spread awareness of her purpose. This inspired me to envision a business that serves as a platform to connect budding freelancers and entrepreneurs with potential customers. As I am a dancer and have been practising yoga for some time, another idea I had in mind was to start a yoga business that provides a safe space to uplift people's mental and physical well being. Unlike other yoga business, I hope to use technology to set up a community space for people to also share their stories and forge friendships through shared experience in yoga.
Past Experiences (optional)
Internships:
- Accenture - Role: Analytics Practitioner Intern under Strategy and Consulting Years May '23 - Aug '23
- Kydon Group - Role: Product Management Intern Years May '22 - Jul '22
Other activities:
- Scale Up Nation Regional Case Challenge 2023 by UOB-SMU AEI and Entrepreneurs Organization - 1st place representing Markaids (a food tech company)
- SMU Patron's Day 2024 - Role: Deputy Director of Show Programming Years May '23 - Jan '24
CCA:
- SMU Ballare