MIT Sloan Desmond Lim

7/29/2019 MIT Sloan Desmond Lim

1/3

MIT Sloan Alumni MagazineA conversation with an MBA alumnus, Desmond Lim

Page 1 Growing up in Singapore

I have wanted to apply to MIT Sloan MBA for a while. Last year, I was introduced to the MITSloan Alumni Magazine by a friend, James Luong (MIT MBA 11), and was very inspired by the

alumni features. I will like to share my story through a publication in that magazine.

Question: How was growing up in Singapore?

Desmond: My family was down-to-earth and warm. To make ends meet, both

my parents worked hard to support the family, providing me with opportunities

they never had themselves. They taught me the importance of diligence, humility

and compassion. They are also the main motivation for me in my life!

Question: What did you enjoy doing?

Desmond: I loved playing competitive basketball, which is my favorite sport. I

have been playing the sport for over 15 years. As captain of my university team,

I led them both on and off the court, and even went on to represent the Singapore

national team. Through basketball, I learned teamwork, leadership, and

determination.

Question: What other interesting things did you do?

Desmond: I was in the army as an infantry officer for 2.5 years. As an army

officer, I took charge of over 50 infantry soldiers, and trained them for jungle

warfare. I still vividly remembered how I went without food for 10 days on the

Jungle survival training in Brunei, losing 16lbs at the end of the course.

Application for MIT Sloan MBA: Desmond Lim

Growing up in Singapore Serving in the army


2/3


Page 2 Undergraduate experience


Starting up Treehouse, a Thai

cuisine restaurant

Volunteering in Cambodia

and Indonesia

Overseas study trips to London

and Silicon Valley

Question: Desmond, how was your

undergraduate experience?

Desmond: It was special. I was very

active in school volunteered in

Cambodia and Indonesia to teach

business skills, completed a 8-month

exchange to London, and led an

entrepreneurial business study trip to

Silicon Valley.

Question: I heard you started your

own restaurant?

Desmond: Yes I did. That was my

first experience in entrepreneurship

and I enjoyed it a lot. We were alsofeatured in the news for youth

entrepreneurship. I will definitely like

to try starting up again at MIT Sloan.

I was the CFO, waiter, dish-washer,

and cashier, all at the same time!

Question: How do you give back to

your undergraduate university?

Desmond: I am an active member of

the university alumni committee. I

organize cohesion events and conduct

career talks for current students. At

MIT Sloan, I plan to do the same too

after graduation!


3/3


Page 3 Life at MIT Sloan


Question: Tell me more on how you got to know about the MIT Sloan MBA

Program?

Desmond: My initial contact with MIT Sloan was when I visited the campus in 2010

I fell in love with it right away! In 2011, during a MIT Sloan information session

in Singapore, I had the chance to speak with Mr. Rod Garcia, reaffirming my

decision to apply. In August 2013, I attended a class at MIT Sloan, Innovation

Teams, in which I experienced the entrepreneurial energy as Professor Fiona Murray

conducted the class. I knew then that this was the place I wanted to be at!

Question: What do you like most about MIT Sloan?

Desmond: Everything! I like it how people are very friendly, open, and sincere. I amplanning to start up a social enterprise after business school, and felt MIT Sloan was

the best place for me to be at. In addition, I also partner with the Legatum Center for

Development and Entrepreneurship, which has been very helpful for me as I work

towards starting my education-focused company in Myanmar.

Question: Please share with me some enjoyable moments in school?

Desmond: I love dashing through the infinity corridor, sandwich in hand, as I rush

for class and feel the strong energy in the school! I also love just chilling at Stata

Centre. My favorite though, must be chilling at E62 in MIT Sloan with friends overcoffee and just getting to know them!

Great times at MIT Sloan!

Documents

MIT Sloan Desmond Lim