It's always meaningful to reflect - especially on an experience as precious as our undergrad.

When HKUST Engineering reached out and asked me to share my experiences, it brought back a lot of amazing memories and fun stuff that I was lucky to be a part.

And that prompted me to share some unsolicited key learnings for anyone starting their own journeys in undergrad or masters! 😁

There is nothing more rewarding than building something from scratch

I had the opportunity and pleasure to struggle, and succeed at building products, software and organizations that stemmed from just an idea

A raft made of plastic bottles (that needed to seat a student and we used to race other teams in the pool)
Super fun hardware projects - a fully functioning app controlled drone made using helium balloons, motors and wood or an automated multi-spice grinder,
Coding up a emotionally intelligent chatbot that suggested you music based on your mood (this is pre ChatGPT btw), a stock prediction platform for beginner investors, and my own version of photoshop
And founding, rebuilding organizations like UpStart - an entrepreneurial community for students

It's important to take classes that have nothing to do with your field of study

Outside of my hardcore math and comp sci classes, I made sure I took atleast 1 (if not more) classes that I found interesting from the non-engineering space. Even sometimes if they had the potential to lower my grades. This enabled me to broaden my understanding and pick up interesting skillsets and knowledge that I still use in my work and further studies.

Like when Steve Jobs took calligraphy - and later created the first computer to have typography.

I fondly and vividly remember taking classes in Philosophy, Literature, Economics, Chinese, Sound Design and Marketing - they were all super interesting and the last one introduced me to one of my favourite professors ever Coral Puig Garrigó, MBA, who I still keep in touch with regularly!

Don't forget to have fun, everything else will sort itself out

When I visited HKUST again in 2023, it felt bittersweet, with all the amazing memories I had made here, I kept wishing I could go back in time and just enjoy more in the moment without being afraid of the consequences. My grades, my job, my location - everything figured itself out when the time came. But I regret not taking more fun subjects, building more cool projects, making more meaningful connections and exploring more of the amazing city that is Hong Kong. Prioritize that fun thing!

I can do anything I want now, but I can never get that time back. And as I near the final stretch of my MBA, I remind myself that I should probably follow my own advice again 😁

So thanks a lot again to HKUST Engineering, for giving me an opportunity, not just to study, learn and thrive at this amazing university, but also to reflect back and hopefully inspire a new generation of engineers. I am beyond grateful.

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