Meet one of our new recruits from Fall 2018!
Darrel Chua is first-year student from Singapore currently studying Business Economics. He joined 180 Degrees Consulting last recruitment cycle in Fall 2018. He came onto the team bringing valuable skillsets through various experiences — from starting a social enterprise to support small charities through terrarium-making, to his experience interning at a VC firm prior to coming to UCLA. Read our short interview to hear his thoughts on his experience with 180DC, nonprofits, and more!
Q: Why did you join 180DC and how did you hear about it?
I saw through Facebook that 180DC was recruiting and decided to apply because I wanted to learn more about different social causes and support organizations that champion them. I was also interested to see what social impact consulting is like.
Q: What is your favorite thing about 180DC?
I really like the flat organization structure in 180DC where the ideas of all members are valued. Also, shout out to my Project Managers, Beatrice and Anamika, for all the guidance provided and for allowing us to experiment and fail in a safe space.
Q: What sparked your interest in nonprofits?
Many non-profits work to lift the underprivileged. I am interested to find out more about their work and support them because I believe no one should be made to go through what the beneficiaries experience, and the least anyone can do is to provide help where possible.
Q: What did you do last summer?
Last summer was pretty busy! Besides interning at iGlobe Partners, I also started a General Knowledge class at Ulu Pandan Stars (UPSTARS), a non-profit that provides academic and non-academic guidance for children from underserved families. I was also working on my social enterprise — learning how to make terrariums, holding terrarium workshops for charities, etc.
Q: Sounds like your last summer was exciting! Do you have any plans for your next summer?
Next summer, I will be interning at Enterprise Singapore. Besides the internship, I hope to spend quality time with friends and family before school starts.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Woah, 10 years is such a long time! I will likely continue working at Enterprise Singapore, maybe at an overseas centre of the agency helping SMEs from Singapore pave the road for overseas expansion. I may also start another social enterprise, join a consulting firm or work in the finance sector. Not too sure yet, but we will see!