News Summary
Aaron Chen, a UC Berkeley sophomore, faced a sudden internship cancellation in New York, prompting him to leverage networking during NYC Tech Week. His proactive approach led to a job offer in just four days, showcasing resilience in the tech sector.
New York City – Aaron Chen, a rising sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley, recently faced a significant setback when a summer internship opportunity with a New York-based crypto startup fell through just days before he was set to move. Initially, Chen received an internship offer from the startup in March, but was left without the position in late June, just five days before his scheduled arrival in the city.
Chen’s recruitment experience was particularly stressful. After signing a nondisclosure agreement with the startup, he was mindful that most of his peers had secured summer positions by December. Before the internship was canceled, Chen discussed compensation with the startup’s head of operations and suggested an hourly rate of $45, drawing on his skills in frontend engineering, UX/UI design, and motion graphics.
The sudden cancellation of the internship came as a shock to Chen, who had already made his travel arrangements, secured his living situation in New York, and was preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime. The news struck him in a moment of vulnerability while he was crossing the Bay Bridge, humorously notifying his sister of his unexpected unemployment, but quickly transitioned into tears as reality set in.
Despite the disappointment, friends, family, and his roommate motivated Chen to make the most of his summer in New York. Upon his arrival, he felt isolated but quickly sought out tech events to expand his professional network. Shortly after landing, Chen embraced the hectic pace of New York Tech Week, participating in a multitude of events, even while sleep-deprived.
Chen’s proactive approach saw him signing up for approximately 60 tech-related events within that first week. His networking efforts bore fruit in the second week when he attended a high-profile crypto conference. There, a Stanford professor and part-time blockchain developer offered to circulate Chen’s résumé, significantly enhancing his visibility among potential employers.
Throughout this challenging period, Chen applied to an impressive 50 companies and enlisted 20 contacts to help share his résumé and portfolio. His networking led to interviews with six different companies. One notable connection came from his interactions with a founder of Axal, a crypto startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz. Following their initial interview, Chen received a take-home assignment at 3 a.m. on a Friday, which he completed within two days despite having to work through the night.
During the final interview process, Chen effectively showcased his design process, coding skills, and development repository, which resulted in a job offer coming through in record time. He became the fastest hire for the startup, going from the first point of contact to receiving a formal job offer in just four days.
Reflecting on his transformative experience, Chen emphasized the critical role of networking and the importance of shifting his mindset from disappointment to viewing challenges as opportunities. He felt immense gratitude for the connections he created and the doors that opened throughout his summer in New York. This journey not only marked a significant professional achievement but also reshaped his understanding of success, leading him to appreciate that it can take many forms.
As he prepares to embark on his new role within the crypto industry, Chen’s story serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges.
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Additional Resources
- Business Insider: Summer Intern Lost Job
- Wikipedia: Summer Internship
- New York Times: Summer Interns in New York
- Google Search: New York Tech Week
- eFinancialCareers: Coinbase Job Difficulty
- Google Scholar: Internship Opportunities
- Deloitte: Join Deloitte Internships
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Internship
