As 2024 wraps up, here are 24 lessons I picked up over the last 365 days. But FIRST If you are new, welcome to OCEās weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youthā¦here are some articles you missed from previous weeks: š Forget Goal-Setting, Hereās What Actually Works Read More ā šØ Best tools for building your passion project Read More ā š Ready for some real talk? Read More ā 1. Clarity comes when you stop chasing everything 2. Long-term vision = no time wasted on short-term distractions...
11 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Itās that time of year againāgoal-setting season. But honestly, Iāve never found it to be all that effective in helping me make decisions or take action. For example, I used to set a goal to seek out meaningful experiences and accelerate my personal growth, but I always ended up falling short because I lacked clarity. I didnāt have a clear roadmap for how to actually achieve that growth, how to become a person of depth and substance? It felt like setting goals was just wishful thinking,...
18 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read
I know what youāre thinking: "Venture capital? Seriously? Iām still in high school, cramming for finalsāwhy would I even care?" Hereās the dealāventure capital (VC) isnāt just for seasoned pros with years of experience under their belts. Itās the playground where bold ideas meet big money. In fact, many of todayās top startups, from Instagram to Snapchat, were founded by young minds with bold ideas and a lot of hustle. So, if you've got a passion project or game-changing solution, VC might...
25 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 5 min read
Your mind, itās racing. One thing after anotherādeadlines, expectations, worries you canāt shake. Stress doesnāt ask permission. It just barges in, tightens your chest, and fills your head with a whirlwind of what-ifs and what-abouts. If you're reading this, maybe you're in the thick of it. Finals are around the corner. College and internship apps feel like theyāre due yesterday. Your calendarās bursting with extracurriculars, and that ever-present voice telling you to do more, be more,...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Letās talk credit. Not the most exciting topic, right? But over the past few summers, OCE cohorts have worked with some incredible fintech companies tackling underdeveloped credit systems in Southeast Asia. Take InvestED, which helps disburse student loans to youth, or Agrig8, bridging the financial gap for smallholder farmers. Whether itās transforming lives in ASEAN markets or managing finances closer to home, credit plays a big role in our society in terms of accessing capital and...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 4 min read
Hey Changemakers, A few years ago, I took a leap, left my tech job in Silicon Valley and moved to Vietnam. It was thrilling, uncomfortable, and a little wildābasically everything they donāt tell you about finding your way as an aspiring entrepreneur. Being surrounded by bold ASEAN leaders building meaningful businesses and commanding colorful lives made me think. What is that one key ingredient to entrepreneurship? In school, we are always taught to craft the perfect plan, have the right...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
If youāre dreaming of launching a project, one thing's for sureāwaiting for the āperfectā time is a surefire way to make it never happen. You could spend years debating ideas, and still end up going nowhere. Or, you could just dive in, test a few things, and gain real experience. Often, what doesnāt work is the clearest guide toward what does. Today, weāre doing a one-day launch. Our project? A paid online learning community for youth interested in coding. Ready? Let's dive in. But FIRST If...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
I donāt know about you, but I write to make sense of things and figure out where I stand. So much is happening that sometimes it feels hard to wrap my head around it all. College is getting more expensive without guaranteeing success, the future of work seems like a guessing game, housing is out of reach for so many, and the environment is paying a huge price that our generation will inherit. It feels like thereās so much we need to talk about, but who has time to sit down every week for...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
How it all started... Back in 2019, Saif Bhatti was juggling classes at Northwestern University, majoring in industrial engineering and philosophy. One day, after learning about the alarming rates of wildlife poaching, he found himself inspired to make a difference. If youāve ever witnessed the beauty of wildlife, you understand why conservation matters. With this motivation, Saif launched Renoster while in school, kickstarting a journey into tech-driven conservation. Todayās story is all...
2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read