This week’s lecture gave us fascinating insights into the tech journey of two remarkable individuals, Sau Sheong and Gao Wei. Their stories are packed with unique experiences, valuable insights, and a shared commitment to lifelong learning.
Sau Sheong
Let’s start with Sau Sheong. Back in ’95, he was just another fresh graduate from NTU, armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. His journey began as an analyst programmer at Singtel, where he dived headfirst into the world of modernization and digital transformation. It’s a reminder that these processes aren’t as “modern” as we might think; they’ve been ongoing for quite some time. But here’s the twist — he realized that it’s not about the tools you use, but the knowledge and experience you gain along the way. That’s a nugget of wisdom we can all relate to as young students.
Photo by But Sau Sheong’s adventure didn’t stop there. He fell in love with Java, took a leap of faith into the startup world, and made magic happen. In a year, his startup had grown to 120 employees and expanded its market reach to Malaysia and Hong Kong. The satisfaction of people paying for your software? Priceless. It’s a testament to the fact that you do what you need to survive and thrive.
His journey took him through a French startup, Yahoo, HP, and PayPal. Along the way, he faced challenges and turmoil, but he always managed to squeeze the goodness out of those experiences. What’s the takeaway? Every experience, good or bad, helps shape who you are today.
Gao Wei
And then there’s Gao Wei, who had her own unique journey. In the late ’90s, China was just introducing the internet. She founded a student press in high school and began thinking about the key problems that tech could help solve in journalism. This early spark of interest in using tech to address real-world challenges is something we can all learn from.
Photo by Gai Wei’s journey to becoming a “godlike developer” was different; she was led by problems that needed solving and had the patience to tackle them head-on. Her equation for value = scope x impact + influence* *speaks volumes about her approach to tech.
Gao Wei’s emphasis on focusing on the good sources of truth resonates strongly with me. In our era of quick fixes and Stack Overflow solutions, taking the time to understand the fundamentals can set us up for success in the long run. It’s a lesson I’ve also learned in my CS3217 journey.
Her insights from her time at Shopee are a goldmine of knowledge for aspiring tech professionals. Learning from mentors and understanding the approach to solving problems by those more experienced than you are vital steps in one’s journey. Her breakdown of the skills she learned at Shopee, from an individual contributor to a team manager, is a roadmap we can all follow.
Photo by I also loved her commitment to the tech community, contributing to React Redux docs. It’s a reminder that we can all give back and grow as tech enthusiasts.
In conclusion, Sau Sheong and Gao Wei’s journeys remind us that every experience, whether good or bad, can shape us. The tech world is ever-evolving, and learning from the past while adapting to the present is crucial. So, let’s take inspiration from these incredible individuals and keep our thirst for knowledge and growth alive!