Get to Know MS in Entrepreneurship Student: Eric Chou
The MS in Entrepreneurship program is made up of a diverse group of students who come from various backgrounds and experiences. We love to highlight students from the current cohort, so read on to hear more about Eric’s journey to the program!
Please tell us your name.
Eric Chou.
Where are you from?
I am a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan. I grew up in the town of Taipei before immigrating to Southern California for high school and college. I have been calling Seattle home for the last 17 years. Go Hawks!
What did you do before entering this program?
I have been working full time for 20+ years before entering the program. My background is in network engineering and programming, spanning across companies such as Amazon and Microsoft. I am also passionate about sharing my knowledge with the community, have authored 5 books and taught online classes with various learning platforms.
When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur? Did you have any entrepreneurship experience before entering this program?
To me, entrepreneurship is a mindset. We are all a ‘company of one’, even if we are employed full-time at a company. Besides being the founding member of several teams in several companies, my entrepreneurial experience prior to the program includes starting my own value-added reseller company and a knowledge product company.
Tell us why you are excited to be a part of the current cohort for the MS ENTRE degree program?
I am excited to come back to a classroom setting for a curated learning experience. I am especially looking forward to making meaningful connections with the UW community.
What advantages do you see to opening a business now?
The best time to start a business was yesterday, the second-best time is today. It is always a good time to solve a new problem, fill an unmet need, and be the change you want to see in the world.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Who knows? There are so many variables in the world that making 5-year plan seems more of a guess than prediction. But I hope to be happy and feel fulfilled, like everybody else.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to read and hang out with my family when I am not in school or working on projects. My two girls are getting close to teenage years, so I will take what I can get.
What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about applying to the MS ENTRE degree program?
If the program interests you, get in touch. There is no time like today to see if the program is the right fit for you.
Learn About MS in Entrepreneurship
- Sign up for the MS in Entrepreneurship email list
- Watch the MS in Entrepreneurship On Demand Info Session
- Visit the MS in Entrepreneurship website
This post is part of a series where we ask current students to answer questions about their experience at Foster. Explore the 11 questions tag for more interviews.
