[A transcript of my talk at Berkeley on April 2, 2022. There is no set path in your career and life. Instead, it is your change, metamorphosis, and growth that are most fulfilling.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT3uvnNhZnE

Actually, YOU will be the ONEs to build it.

Good afternoon everyone, I’m honored to be invited to speak to you all today. Now I can finally proudly tell my parents that, “I went to Berkeley!”

My topic today is about startups.

Speaking of which, this is how I “started up”:

That’s me, with my mom around 1988 in Chengdu, China. Just to clarify for most of you Gen Zs here, 1988 was a year from the last millennium.

Growing up, I lived a blessed life. I had the love of my parents and grandparents and was supported, protected and even sheltered in every way.

I did all the right things in the eyes of society. And if I only got a 98 on a math test, my grandpa and I would sit together to analyze the problem.

Coming to America at the age of 9, my path in middle school and high school was set. Take all the AP classes that I could, go to weekly SAT prep, volunteer at the local library, and join the debate team.

And for four years in high school, I devoted my life to debate, letting it consume my every day.