8 ways to jump-start your start-up at NTU

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Do entrepreneurs need a university education? After all, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg all dropped out of university. However, they spent much of their formative years in university, and, for some, made connections during this time that would be vital to their success. There is an even longer list of successful entrepreneurs, like Jack Ma, Elon Musk and Larry Page, who graduated from university with excellent grades, too.

I believe that university is useful for building skills and networks that will be helpful for building your future business. The good news is, there are plenty of opportunities in NTU that set you towards your goal.

Here are eight steps aspiring entrepreneurs in NTU can take to kickstart their dreams. Continue reading

5 weeks and 8 Days

When the exams were over in May, I shouted “Hurray!”

And scoffed at friends who almost immediately embarked on their professional attachment and voluntary internship programmes.

Admittedly, I was one of those slackers who laughed at the idea of being so kiasu as to go for an internship, even if it wasn’t a part of my academic requirements. It was fun at first – the weeks of travelling, endless binging eating and shopping, but before I knew it, it was July and I found myself surprisingly longing for something more… challenging.

Which was why I spent the last five weeks of my holidays working as an intern for 8 Days. Fans of local magazines would know this weekly entertainment and lifestyle magazine under MediaCorp Publishing for its tongue-in-cheek features and juicy news about celebrities. It has a Singaporean slant with the occasional lah and shiok being used in articles.

It was quite easy to adapt to the office environment in Caldecott. For one, it bore an uncanny resemblance to our very own NTU campus, being sequestered in a tranquil spot on top of a hill with a canteen boasting affordable fare the likes of Canteen A and B. There’s your usual beverage stall, fruit stall, and Malay, Indian and Chinese food stalls with zi char dishes. Plus, yong tau foo, fish soup and vegetarian options for the health nuts.

Daily breakfast indulgence:

Just two dollars for this light spongy piece of pandan cake plus a large
comforting cup of hot Milo – both from the Caldecott canteen.

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