2324T2 Silicon Valley/Participant Information/Tan Chi Yong
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About Chi Yong
SMU email: chiyong.tan.2021@scis.smu.edu.sg
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiyongtan/
Academic Year: Year 3 (2021)
Degree: BSc Information Systems (Major in Digitalisation and Cloud Solutions & Fintech)
Why Virtual TSM
- What motivates you to join TSM?
I believe that this program offers a great opportunity for me to gain a unique perspective of Silicon Valley’s diverse and innovative environment, having won renown as a central hub of technology and entrepreneurship. I would be able to experience firsthand how ideas are transformed into startups through a culture that drives innovation.
The startup ecosystem in Silicon Valley particularly interests me as it is my goal to manage a newly-founded technology startup in the near future. I would love to gain inspiration from large technology companies, observing their corporate culture and operations that got them to where they are. TSM also provides great networking opportunities for like-minded individuals and professionals who are interested in the tech start-up culture, something which I am very passionate about myself, and I look forward to potential collaborations if the opportunity arises.
Furthermore, being able to meet people from different cultures allows me to expand my horizons. I believe that being adaptable and communicative to people from all backgrounds is an important skill that would be highly beneficial to both my personal and professional development. Having heard about the great experiences from seniors who have went for TSM, I am certain that TSM would be a very enriching experience, and I will surely keep an open mind to gain as much knowledge as I can if given the opportunity to embark on this trip.
- Where would you like to visit?
I would like to visit Apple park, Google, and Meta. Known for their modern open-style offices, I believe that their unique working environments contribute to the stable growth of the company by manifesting a culture that drives creativity and innovation, and it would be a delight to experience all this first-hand.
I am also particularly interested in visiting eBay, one of the pioneers of e-commerce. As someone with a keen interest in the e-commerce market, I wish to establish a start-up in the said field, and I highly admire how eBay has digitally transformed the traditional brick and mortar market in order to gain a competitive edge. I would love to be given the opportunity to take reference from their business strategies, goals and vision that would polish my leadership skills and boost my knowledge in what is required to run a business.
Starting a Business
- What types of business interest you?
I like technology businesses that can disrupt a market and enhance the experience of users. I am particularly interested in the field of e-commerce and marketing. I would like to gain more insight into this field and target gaps in this field in the future. I like the idea that technology is able to make you very successful overnight due to the fast paced nature of it and the value that it can create. It is able to disrupt or help traditional businesses become more competitive and challenge businesses to constantly improve their processes to stay relevant.
- What plans do you have in starting a business?
I am currently working on a small project, Mailbean together with a friend where we're building a library of screenshots of real emails to help them with designing their emails for marketing material.
I would also like to start a business which can help to digitally transform traditional companies in Singapore to help them stay relevant through ways such as asset management or sourcing for suppliers which can eliminate the middle man. I feel that there are some gaps in the market which can be used to streamline certain processes and it would be valuable for the parties
Past Experiences
Internships:
- WerkSG – UI/UX intern May ’23 – July ‘23
- DareToFinance – Product Manager Intern Jan ’23 – Apr ‘23
CCA:
- Ellipsis – Operations Executive: Years Jan '22 - Dec '22
- Coders Assembly – Python Mentor: Years Aug ’22 – Dec ‘22
- Product Club – Honorary Finance Secretary: Years Jan ’23 – Present
Others:
- Web Application Development 2 Teaching Assistant: Years Aug’23 – present
- Better.sg kidsplaysafer – React Developer: Years Apr ’22 – Aug ‘22
Competitions:
- Finalists for Ellipsis x Goldman Sachs Hackathon 2022
