Purpose, Potential and Possibilities
Erica Maesincee | Graduating Class of 2013
My favourite memories of my time at Bangkok include Residentials, completing my IB Art coursework in the art studio, planning the lessons and teaching at Pong Ploy School, working with Habitat for Humanity and the Smile Club trips.
Some of the most important things I learned during my time at Bangkok Patana School include being independent, self-motivated, and goal-oriented, while being collaborative and mindful of others and the world around me.
Throughout my time at Bangkok Patana, I wanted to do something creative after graduation, such as design, advertising, marketing, or film/production. Whilst I had those interests, I never really knew what or who I wanted to be. I think most eighteen-year-olds can relate. I just wanted to have something of my own one day.
That was why I thought Babson was the perfect match for me. It would give me the basics I needed to start my own business one day (whatever it may be), while allowing me to be surrounded by people with the same aspirations and also be coached by professionals and entrepreneurs.
People at Babson were either already entrepreneurs or really self-motivated and driven. I felt so out of place at first because everyone had such big things going for them or amazing goals they were actively trying to achieve. Being there changed my approach and outlook.
Over time, I realized it is not about what particular subjects you study or how smart you are, it is about where you see yourself further down the road and what you actively do to get to where you want to be, whether it is through trial-and-error, reading more books to get to know your field and other fields better, internships in related fields, taking on leadership positions or additional courses that would otherwise be deemed as irrelevant to your actual major, starting a personal project, or overcoming your own obstacles (for me, it was to be more proactive and have the courage to “step forward”). Through these experiences, you will step-by-step find what you enjoy, whether you prefer to lead or support others, what you like the most about your field, how your field is related to other fields, what skills are your assets, or where your areas of improvement are. This is my advice to Bangkok Patana students. Also, everything will eventually start to fall into place if you let it and do your best. While you are at Bangkok Patana, enjoy it, take on more roles, do more activities, and challenge yourself. Time will pass you by and you will miss your time at Bangkok Patana.
I am the founder and CEO of IN THE LEAD, I work with businesses, universities, and nonprofit organisations to co-design capability building programs that build an entrepreneurial spirit and spark innovation in their professional teams, students or relevant target groups. I have worked with King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok University School of Entrepreneurship and Management (BUSEM, in partnership with Babson College), the Federation of Thai Industries, UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Commerce. I also serve as a board member of the Mechai Viravaidya Foundation, promoting education and rural development, and the Industrial Excellence Center (The Federation of Thai Industries)
I am passionate about entrepreneurship, I am always curious about what inspires other people, what they are passionate about, and how they go about solving complex problems for their own ventures, for their customers, and even for society.
I want to create sustainable change through youth empowerment and investment in human capital. I think it is truly life-changing when people realise their purpose, potential, and possibilities, all of which may align with, complement, or at the very least be applicable to what they learn in school or what they do at work.
In ten years I would like to see myself with a high-impact, highly specialised, scalable, and sustainable business or a range of related businesses, in the field that I am already in, that runs itself so that I can branch out and start other things that I have always wanted to do. I would love to see myself producing a TV/digital program, hosting a forum, or writing. Currently, it is difficult to figure out exactly what to do, what not to do, or what to put on hold (for now) as I am very early on in my carreer. But it is my goal to seek the right balance between “exploration” and “focus.” As for my personal goals, I hope to travel more and be happy, internally fulfilled, and purpose-driven.