“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to great places! You’re off and away!” – Dr.Seuss

10:30 – 6:30 at Vurve, 12 books, 8 blogs posts, a handful of new technologies, Post-PC Era analysis, TEC Commercial, Final Presentation for Vurve, network of influential VCs and entrepreneurs, friendships for a life time. Priceless!

As I read through all the blogs I have posted this summer, I can’t help but to feel sad that it is all coming to an end. I have learned, experienced, and grew so much over the course of 8 weeks. Looking back, deciding to join the TEC program was a rather adventurous decision because I was coming to a city where I had no family and few friends. I came to work for a stealth start up, which I knew little about. I was inexperienced and knew I had much to learn. I can honestly say that 8 weeks later I feel like a completely different person. I have expanded my horizons with new programming languages and knowledge of entrepreneurship and venture capital. I feel inspired as ever to actually do what I have only thought about doing before. I would reiterate how great of a summer it has been and everything I had learned, but I feel like I have covered most of what I wanted to say in previous blog posts. Instead I thought it would be cool for me to give a few advices for prospective TEC 2011 Interns.

Advice 1: If you are reading this and are hesitant about whether it is worth it to move all the way out to California and join TEC. You absolutely should. I can’t think of any good reason why anyone would not want to be part of this. If you are worried about the stipend not being enough for what you need to make this summer, you should consider it a valuable investment in yourself. I wouldn’t trade the experiences, lessons, and network for any amount of money. Maybe $ 100 million, but probably not. :-p

Advice 2: If you are lucky enough to be selected for TEC 2011. Be prepared to work hard. The program is intense and is designed that way. You won’t be doing any busy work, but you will definitely be challenged. I wrote that it feels like a being a part time student with a full time job and I am not exaggerating. I would also strongly recommend coming to TEC with a solid business idea in mind. That’s what did and I felt like having something concrete to build on the side really complimented the educational experience.

Advice 3: Definitely get to know the other interns. Even if you live far away from most of the other interns, always make the trek to see them. Make plans and do things together. Watch our commercial for a taste of what we did last summer. Put 100% into all of True’s assignments. Even if you are not technically “graded” on your them, the more you put in the more you will get out.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions!

Email: hanyin.cheng@gmail.com

Twitter: hanyinc