Yesterday I posted a guest
entry from a student whose wisdom about life far exceeds mine. Today, I want to
share words from another student. Her story should inspire anyone with a dream
about starting a business.
***************************************************************************
My interest in business and
finance dates back to secondary school, where I excelled in mathematics and
statistics. After finishing high school in China, I applied directly to
universities in the States and was fortunate to have the chance to study at a
highly ranked research university in the US, majoring in economics and politics.
These past two years of studying also exposed me to the full range of economics
courses, all of which have reinforced and solidified my interest in economics.
During this process, I chose many courses related specifically to finance, such
as International Finance and Financial Mathematics. Meanwhile, mathematics and
statistics classes have provided me with sufficient quantitative skills for continued
studies in business and finance. As an Honors Scholar, I also had the
opportunity to study a greater variety of disciplines in Humanities, like
politics, sociology, psychology, and media studies, among others. All of these
classes have been enjoyable and enlightening, and have offered me a new and
different perspective on economics and finance in particular.
I knew well that reading and
lecture halls, however, were not enough. I supplemented my understanding of
finance and business with a more direct approach. With some basic foundations
in business and finance, I established my own start up company in June 2011 in my hometown
(Shenyang) when I returned to China during freshman summer break. I started this
operation when I realized that more and more foreigners came to Shenyang with
great difficulties in adapting to the life there because of cultural and
language barriers. They have no idea where to shop, to dine, or to find
entertainment. After conducting a thorough market survey, I realized there was
substantial demand for a company that aimed to ease those foreigners’ lives. We
help them from every perspective: from tourism to law consulting,
accommodation, transportation, and even translation. During the process of
establishing the company, however, I realized there were still many things I
have little knowledge about. Therefore, I understand that a higher degree of
scholarship is a necessary next step, and that it will provide a solid and
extensive foundation for my future career.
 |
| Shenyang |
This student is being far too
modest. At the current moment, she has 25 employees working for her in her
business. Given that every day I read updates from many places about how
start-ups and innovation are the order of the day, it is worth noting that
students (again) can teach some of the ‘experts’.
In talking with students like
this, I learn how they have the vision and drive to make things happen. They
are not held back by fear or intimidated by the big bad world. Instead, they
have an optimistic vision based on previous success and a drive to create
things immediately.
I do hope that the immigration
bill now up for a vote in the near future will pass. Students like this are
ready to create businesses and jobs in the US. I know this as I am in touch
with them. One just went to Silicon Valley to meet with a senior guy who told
him to get going on his business now. He is a foreign national and if the bill
does not pass, then the great idea and the jobs he would create will never
happen.
I am very lucky to know bright
people who have what might be called an American dream. Many of them are
students from other countries. I hope to continue to encourage them to start up
businesses but their future as far as staying in the country is in the hands of
politicians.
If you have not been to Shenyang, you should go. I know just the person you should talk to. She goes by the name Kelly and you can contact here here: kellymayorzhu@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment