By Ryan Hahm
What career do I choose? This is ultimately the most important question college students ask themselves because to most, it’s why we’re even at school in the first place. So, during these past few weeks, and especially this week I learned a lot about different careers, specifically Product Management.
Coming into Duke, I’ve always wanted to be in the tech world (came as a Pratt Star), but switched to Trinity, influenced by the economic finance/consulting path. Up until now, I was fully convinced that consulting or finance was my most likely route right out of Duke. However, immersing myself back in the tech space especially in a place like Silicon Valley, the frontier of tech, allowed me to explore the various industries in which a combination of skills can be applied in.
So, although it feels like there’s this external pressure, especially at Duke, to choose one definite career, Duke in Silicon Valley explicitly allowed me to learn that there are so many more opportunities that will fall into your true interests. Additionally, careers can change; many of the successful people we talked to did not have one route to where they are today. They experiment in different industries, and I think that’s a powerful thing to understand.
Now it feels fulfilling to know that I am interested in Product Management, a role outside the typical Duke pipeline. My advice to students thinking about DSV is to come here with an open mind, especially if you just finished your freshman year, and talk to as many people as you can because you can combine your interests into work you genuinely enjoy, and the best part about it is that you can always change your path no matter what.
Ryan is a rising sophomore from the Central Valley in California who plans to study Economics and Psychology with a certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. On campus, he is in Duke Impact Investing Group and Duke Consulting Club. He is also a member on the Club Men’s Volleyball Team and working to help found Duke Asia Strategy Group for the 2026-27 school year. For Ryan, Duke in Silicon Valley is a gate to explore his interests in entrepreneurship and catalysts for his startup ideas. Ryan is excited to gain insight on founders and gain valuable experience to help the small business industry grow in the future. Ryan’s hobbies include watching movies (in theatres of course), playing basketball, making cinematic vlogs, and traveling and trying new restaurants.
