Professor Wilson became the supportive adult figure I had always craved. She recommended books, introduced me to industry contacts, and most importantly believed in my potential.
Under her guidance, I began to explore the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
This was in 2019 when Bitcoin was recovering from a crash but still not mainstream. I became fascinated by the potential of digital currencies and the underlying technology.
I spent countless hours in the library researching, learning to code, and developing my own theories about how to solve some of the security issues plaguing early cryptocurrency platforms.
By the end of my junior year, what had started as academic interest had evolved into a concrete business idea.
I envisioned a platform that would make cryptocurrency transactions more secure and accessible to everyday users.
Professor Wilson encouraged me to pursue it. “You have identified a genuine gap in the market,” she told me. “This could be significant if you can execute it properly.”
For the first time since arriving at Harvard, I felt a sense of purpose that went beyond just surviving. I had found something I was passionate about, something that could potentially change the financial landscape.
And unlike my relationship with my parents, my success in this venture would be entirely within my control.
The summer before my senior year, I dedicated myself entirely to developing my business idea. While my classmates were securing prestigious internships or traveling, I was holed up in a tiny apartment I shared with Jessica, writing code and drafting business plans.
