1920T2 NewYorkCity/Participant Information/Swedha Balachandar

About Swedha

SMU email: swedhab.2018@sis.smu.edu.sg
Academic Year: Year 2
Degree: Information Systems (Business Analytics)
2nd Major: Interested in taking Digital Business Solutioning
Applying for Subsidy: Yes

Why TSM New York City ?

• What motivates you to join TSM?

I believe my main motivation to join TSM would be to understand the fundamentals behind a business venture as well as to dig in deeper into how technology can be leveraged upon to enable start-ups to expand their consumer base.
I am also eager to learn from industry experts regarding their experience in the technopreneurship field.
I think i will learn alot from this experience due to the exposure that i can gain from interacting with the companies we network with in NYC.

• Why pick New York City ?

The limitless opportunities presented by NYC, and the vibrancy of the city were 2 main factors which appealed to me when I first glanced upon TSM NYC. However, after reading more into NYC and its business culture , I was drawn by the symbiotic relationship between the start-ups as well as well-established companies such as MNCs, being the reason to NYC’s entrepreneurial success in the recent times.Personally, I have also always been interested to travel around the world, and learn about the different cultures and hence also see this as a perfect opportunity to do so.

Starting a business

• What types of business interest you?
  

The technology as well as fashion industry particularly interest me. I personally believe that a business’s main focus should be in identifying and solving the community’s problems through innovation instead of being fueled by the pursuit for monetary gains.

• What plan do you have in starting a business?

Since I am interested in both technology and fashion, I would like to start up a business whereby incorporating both these elements and creating new fashion statements through the use of technology.I also have a close friend with similar interests and hence we are planning on starting our new fashion-tech business once we ave graduated from SMU. I believe that this platform will really enable me to form connections and learn leaps and bounds which i can then apply in my business venture.

Past Experiences (optional)

• Singtel Telecommunications Limited: I have worked at Singtel Telecommunications Limited as a Customer Service Officer back in 2018, where I acquired effective communication skills which allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and be more receptive to interacting with clients.
  

• SMU OCSP Batam, Kardia : I was involved in an Overseas Community Service Programme in my first year in SMU in the programmes department. We strove to empower the students of Sekolah Misi Bagi Bangsa, by equipping them with leadership and basic entrepreneurial skills. Hence ideally allowing children, coming from the slum areas, to break their social barriers to achieve a brighter future through education.
  

What keeps you ticking?

• Doubt kills more dreams that failure ever will, just believe in yourself and nothing is impossible.
  
• Dancing as i have been learning dance for 14 years now, and it really allows me to unwind and relax.