Summer Institutes Home
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Summer Institute for Entrepreneurship
Dates: June 20 - July 16, 2010
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Michael Hsu |
Field of Study: Structural Engineering
Stanford University
Why were you interested in participating in the SIE?
Prior to SIE, my only exposure to entrepreneurship was an introductory course on high-tech entrepreneurship I took as a senior in college. Although I only received a miniscule taste of entrepreneurship, I truly enjoyed everything presented in the class. Despite the pressures, letdowns, headaches, and low rates of success, the entrepreneurial world is dynamic, fast-paced, and exciting. Because my only exposure to the entrepreneurial field came so late, I had been yearning for more knowledge ever since but have not had a chance to do so because of my graduate program’s strict coursework schedule. The timing, location, and offerings of this program are exactly what I had been hoping for! My main reason for applying to this program was to see how well I fit into this field. Now that I know I am even more excited about entrepreneurship after SIE, I am in the process of switching careers.
Were your expectations for the program met?
SIE far surpassed my expectations. I had heard from various professors and past participants that SIE is an intensive, month-long crash course in business school. What I did not know is how great of a crash course SIE is. The variety of subjects taught, caliber of professors, and quality of content were all beyond anything I expected. Beyond the classroom, the SIE staff work tirelessly to ensure you have a wonderful experience – I can honestly say that SIE is the most professional, enjoyable and rewarding summer program I have ever participated in.
What are you doing now?
I am finishing up my master’s study in structural engineering and plan on using my remaining two quarters at Stanford to transition and apply myself in an entrepreneurial venture.
How will your experience in the SIE help you in future endeavors?
Regardless of whether I enter the field of entrepreneurship, my SIE experience has changed my life. I spent four weeks learning about topics I knew little about before – topics that stand in stark contrast to engineering subjects I spent the past five years of my life studying – and loved every minute of it. In the course of changing career paths, I have also discovered a lot about myself. You would be surprised at how much you learn from working alongside four others for four intensive weeks on a group project, utilizing both classroom knowledge and individual outside knowledge to transform an idea into a potentially viable business, and having your final product scrutinized by a panel of professional venture capitalists.
In your opinion, what was the most valuable aspect of the SIE?
The most valuable aspect of SIE was definitely my peers. The SIE selection committee did a tremendous job in selecting high caliber participants with different backgrounds and experiences. Every participant really brought with them their own views and these differing opinions and the resulting discussions really made the program much more dynamic and engaging. What I learned through conversations and project meetings with my peers was just as valuable, if not more so, than what I learned in the classroom from the professors. |
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Aimee Slobin
Assistant Director, Programs and Marketing
Office of Executive Education
Stanford Graduate School of Business
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Phone: 650.724.4336
Toll Free: 866.542.2205 (US and Canada)
Fax: 650.723.3950
Email: slobin_aimee@gsb.stanford.edu |
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