Hi! My name is Eric, a Philadelphia born and raised FGLI student . I'm currently a freshman in the Huntsman Program as well as a part of the Joseph Wharton Scholars Program, with a target language in Spanish. I am interested in venture capital and entrepreneurship, and am involved with a startup through Venture Lab, as well as many other activites on campus, like CSA(Chinese Student Association) and Penn Appetit. I love Penn, and I'm excited to share my second home with prospective students and parents!

Hometown

Born in Changle, China, raised in Philadelphia, PA

Major(s)

Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Relations

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Chinese Student Association, Venture Lab, Penn Appetit, STEP Wharton, JWS, Mayor's Scholars

Describe your college experience

As a FGLI student whose parents are immigrants and never went to college, transitioning to college has been a challenge. But being from Philadelphia gave me a huge advantage since I know this city like the back of my hand, and Penn is a wonderful community filled with amazing but really kind people. I'm excited for the next few years as I've only begun to scratch the surface of the opportunities available to me here.

Tip for future students

Demonstrate your passion, and do what you love. If you keep chasing success and keep chasing ambition, you'll never be able to enjoy the present. There are many brilliant people here and at times you may feel overwhelmed and not know what to do, that you're always behind other people. But know that every brilliant person is still human, and us humans make mistakes. We struggle. That's a part of life. Embrace it. Enjoy the people and things you have in the present, but have the curiosity to go explore the unknown. College is a bottomless pit of opportunity, don't fall in. Once you go to college, find your people and community as soon as possible.

Favorite class

My favorite class so far has been WH 2970, the Wharton Industry Exploration Program. As someone interested in venture capital and entrepreneurship, this course is a wonderful career trek to NYC to meet Wharton alumni in startups, venture capital firms, and well established firms like American Express. Before the trip, we've had two classes where we learn about VC and entrepreneurship and what it takes to keep a business afloat. These have been nothing but insightful and thought-provoking, and have only increased my interest in the industry(thanks Prof Danny!)

Career goals

Join a startup, create my own, or work at a venture capital firm. I also want to explore consulting a little bit and see if that's right for me. My long-term goal is to become financially independent and retire my parents. My parents have worked tirelessly for the life I have today, so I owe it to them a thousand times over. I also want to help youth get to where I am, and empower my community.

Ideal way to spend a free night

People have told me my social battery doesn't run out, so my ideal free night is spent with people. I'm a poker fiend, and I've played poker for hours on end at night with my friends and had a good time. A good night out also never disappoints, as long as its with people I love. I could be doing anything, from playing Yugioh to ping pong to just chatting with people for hours on end. Whatever I do, I want to do with people.

High school or secondary school

I went to J.R. Masterman, a public magnet school in Philadelphia.

Previous college

N​/​A