A Journey to Opportunity: My Unexpected Summer in New York

It was March when the winds of fate started to blow favorably. After several engaging discussions with a cryptocurrency startup nestled in the bustling heart of New York City, I received an email that felt like a dream come true: I had landed a summer internship. Given that recruitment typically wraps up by December for most upperclassmen, I felt a surge of relief and excitement. The clock had been ticking, and I was running out of time.

The following month, as June approached, my pulse quickened when I scheduled a call with the head of operations to discuss compensation. My heart raced as I prepared for what felt like high-stakes negotiation. Perhaps I was a tad ambitious when I proposed an hourly rate of $45—a figure in line with typical product management internships that generally fall between $40 and $50. Combined with my skill set encompassing frontend engineering, UX/UI design, and motion graphics, I believed my ask was justified. However, I was leaving room for negotiation.

Then came that jarring email five days before my scheduled flight: “We do not have any budget for this internship, or any additional headcount for that matter.” The sheer weight of those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I had already booked a flight, paid rent, and even found a roommate. The reality of my situation felt grim.

I can still vividly recall the moment when I first saw that email. I was aboard a bus crossing the Bay Bridge, hoping for an adventure. Instead, I sent a goofy selfie to my sister, declaring, “Guess who’s unemployed now?” But within moments, the weight of the news sunk in, and tears streamed down my face as I sat on the bus, contemplating what I had just lost.

In my state of despair, I reached out to family and friends. Their responses were a cocoon of supportive optimism. “Just go to New York and have a great time,” they urged, insisting I should pursue whatever adventure lay ahead. Their encouragement propelled me forward, and so, I kept to my original plan.

Straight off the Plane and into Networking

Landing in New York felt surreal. I was entering a city filled with opportunities yet haunted by uncertainty. With my sights set on the tech scene, I eagerly searched for things to do. Little did I know that the first two weeks would be a whirlwind, marked by a series of events bustling with hope and anxiety.

New York Tech Week began precisely when I landed. I dropped off my bags and dashed to IBM’s office, barely running on zero sleep. Each day was a mix of excitement and exhaustion as I attended various networking events, determined to establish myself in this vibrant city. I signed up for over 60 events in just that first week, driven by a spirit of tenacity.

In the second week, I attended a specialized crypto conference where chance brought me into contact with a part-time blockchain builder who also taught at Stanford. He offered to circulate my resume, igniting a flicker of hope in my heart. By that time, I had already sent out applications to about 50 companies and networked with at least 20 people, hoping that somewhere, someone would be looking for a candidate just like me.

To my surprise, connections from my blockchain club and the Stanford professor led to interviews with six different companies. One of those interactions resonated deeply—the founder of Axal, a startup backed by the renowned Andreessen Horowitz. There was an undeniable chemistry during our conversation.

After our first interview, I received an assignment at 3 a.m. on a Friday. I was already awake, committed to my passion for design and code, so I dove in headfirst. For the next two days, I poured my heart and soul into the project, barely sleeping as I crafted the interface, weaving together design principles and coding finesse.

By the time the final interview rolled around on Monday, I was ready. As I presented my work, showcasing my design process and the code I had engineered, there was a palpable sense of excitement. To my astonishment, he offered me the role on the spot—a whirlwind of emotions flooded over me, a reminder that sometimes, life rewards those who dare to leap.

You could say I was the fastest hire ever—first contact to offer in just four days! As we navigated the details of compensation, everything flowed smoothly. This time, however, there was a notable difference. I signed the offer letter with a grin, knowing that my leap of faith had paid off.

Reflecting on the series of events that transpired, I can’t help but marvel at the power of networking and the invaluable connections that landed me this opportunity. Within two short weeks of arriving in New York, I found myself at the crossroads of potential.

Summer Motto: I Have Nothing Else to Lose

Transitioning from a space of disappointment and anxiety to one of acceptance and adventure was no small feat. Yet, gradually, that shift took hold of my mindset. I embraced the mantra, “I have nothing else to lose,” allowing me to be fully present at each networking event, approaching each opportunity with vigor and energy.

Each encounter since then has led me toward a greater good. I’m incredibly thankful that I made the trek to New York, meeting remarkable individuals and partaking in extraordinary experiences. Wisdom from older colleagues, once cheesy and cliché, has taken on a new significance for me. Success does, indeed, come in many forms.

So, here I am—still in awe of how the tides have turned in my favor. Perhaps the greatest lesson of all is that sometimes, when life appears bleak, it has a curious way of surprising you.