2223T1 Seoul/Participant Information/WenLiang
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about wen liang
Name: Goh Wen Liang
SMU email: wlgoh.2020@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenlianggoh/
Academic Year: Year 2 (2021-22)
Degree: BSc Computer Science (Cybersecurity Track) - 2nd Major in Tech for Biz Solns (Digitalization and Cloud Solutions Track)
why virtual tsm?
What motivates you to join TSM?
I would like to understand more about what it takes to start a company from real world examples and stories of both successes and failures. I am also eager to see where a strong technical background could be helpful in the successes of starting a company.
I started my own unofficial startup at the age of 14 in 2013, running Minecraft game servers and creating a conducive environment for my peers and I to engage playing games. Over the three years of its existence, it had grown from a server with only a few players to one with over two thousand active players, recording a total of over fifty years of accumulated play time from all players combined. Although not much, it managed to obtain some revenue which was sufficient to pay for its upkeep. Unfortunately, due to the decline in popularity and my lack of experience at that point in time, I was unable to keep it running in a financially sustainable fashion, and thus I had to cease operations in 2016.
During these three years of its operations, I was able to gain an insight on what it takes to not only run a small side business, but also people skills which were necessary to communicate and manage my own team of volunteers and moderators. Furthermore, it was important that I managed the day-to-day operations and picked up technical skills along the way, to scale up and ensure that the server remains available 24/7.
Although it ultimately did not work out, it has made a lasting impact on how I view startups and had made me respect those in the trade. I would like to take this chance to learn more about what other challenges there are in technological entrepreneurship, and how it differs from traditional businesses. Being able to learn about what makes or breaks a startup would definitely be interesting as well. The opportunity for me to go on a study mission will allow me to better understand the startup culture in another country like Korea, and give me the ability for me to contrast it with what we have in Singapore.
Where would you like to visit?
I am Interested in visiting technologically advanced countries, such as USA, Japan and South Korea.
Through visiting these countries, I will be able to widen my horizons and learn about how such startups and companies leverage their deep technological expertise to develop innovative solutions that solve new and challenging problems.
starting a business...
What types of business interest you?
Having had experience in the public sector internships and looking forward to embarking on one in the finance industry, I would like to be able to dive deeper into the startups of these industries. Besides that, I am personally keen in companies that develop innovative technology solutions that seeks to benefit the public good.
What plans do you have in starting a business?
Having started a small initiative during my secondary school hosting Minecraft servers, I have explored what it takes to start a small informal startup. I currently do not have any active plans for a startup, but I desire to learn more about real companies so that I can be more equipped before exploring entrepreneurship in technology.
Other thoughts
Having taken CS206 Software Product Management, it had also given me an insight into what it takes to run a startup and sell a product by first having the right vision and idea in mind. I had been involved in the ideation and development of a software solution, roboCAPTCHA, which aims to be able to block robocalls with complete accuracy through new and innovative means.
At the end of the project, I was able to present my project to experts in the startup scene including guests from SMU IIE. Their inputs gave me invaluable insights on how to better deliver a compelling pitch presentation, and bettered my understanding of the various support provided to new companies.
past experiences
Initiatives / Startups
Xeal Gaming Network (June 2013 - September 2016)
- Founded, owned and operated a game server network with over 2000 active players, at one point becoming the largest Minecraft server network in Asia.
- Developed server software and ran the necessary technology infrastructure on premises.
- Maintained cohesion and harmony among the playerbase through frequent events and seasonal games.
Internships
| Role | Organisation | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering Intern | Quantedge Capital | May - Aug 2022 |
| Blockchain Research Assistant | Singapore Management University | March - May 2022 |
| Application Security Intern | GovTech Singapore | May - July 2021 |
| Malware Analyst Intern | Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies | May - August 2017 |
| Ransomware Analyst Intern | University of Waikato, New Zealand | March - May 2017 |
| Computer Lab Assistant | Nanyang Polytechnic | 2016 |
Teaching Assistantships
| Course | Period |
|---|---|
| CS102 Programming Fundamentals II | AY2021-22 Term 2 |
| CS204 Interconnection of Cyber-Physical Systems | AY2021-22 Term 1 |
CCA, Events and Volunteering
- Incoming President (2022-23), SCIS ACE Committee
- Honorary General Secretary (2022), SMU Ellipsis
- Oversee the five Special Interest Groups (SIGs) under the purview of Ellipsis
- Responsible for all administrative correspondences and matters of the organisation
- Technology Executive (2021), SMU Ellipsis
- Workshop 2IC & Instructor, Ellipsis Java Programming Workshop 2022
- Workshop IC & Instructor, Ellipsis C Workshop 2021
- Workshop IC, Ellipsis Data Management Workshop 2021
- Technology Director (2021-22), SMU Whitehat Society
- Technology & Infrastructure IC, Whitehacks 2022
- Instructor & Infrastructure IC, Cybersecurity Hacking Fundamentals 2021
- Volunteer, Project Hai Khun 1 (Virtual OCSP)
- Taught important life and career-building skills to underprivileged youths from Thailand and Myanmar
- Mentor, Coder's Assembly (2021 Term 1)
Competitions
- Placed 1st, Pythonic by Heicoders
- Placed 5th, SUTD iTrust CISS-OL 2021 (with SMU Whitehats)
- DSTA Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp 2016, 2017 & 2021
- GovTech CodeFiesta Hackathon 2021
- Cisco-CSA Cyber Youth Challenge 2021
- GovTech Stack the Flags CTF 2020
Academic Achievements
- SMU-X Credit Suisse, Outstanding Project Award
- Dean's List AY2020-21
- SMU Merit Scholarship Award
what keeps me ticking
The satisfaction of trying to make a positive difference in today's world - through technology.
