Taiwanese Student Rikke Yeh Forges Path in Social Entrepreneurship at USC
Rikke Yeh, a dedicated student from Taiwan, has made significant strides in the field of social entrepreneurship through her journey at the University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business. Enrolling in the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE) program in 2023, Yeh has transformed her vision for impacting the world, positioning herself for a future filled with potential.
Yeh’s path to the MSSE program began in Taiwan, where she completed her bachelor’s degree at National Chung Cheng University. During three years of volunteering with a leadership-oriented non-profit focused on youth entrepreneurship, she cultivated a desire to expand her knowledge and empower her mentees. Recognizing the need for a broader understanding of business strategies, she sought a program that harmonized business acumen with social impact. “When I saw USC had social entrepreneurship, I knew this was where I wanted to go. I only applied to this school and this major,” Yeh stated.
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Yeh faced the challenge of adapting to a new environment and language. Initially, she connected with fellow students who spoke Mandarin, but soon realized the importance of stepping outside her comfort zone to fully benefit from her experience. Over the next two years at USC, she embraced various campus resources, including the Greif Launchpad for ideation and the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab lecture series to deepen her understanding.
Throughout her studies, Yeh actively sought mentorship through the MSSE Legacy Mentorship program. She credits mentors John Tsai and Jordana Mendonça Valdés with helping her navigate the complexities of graduate school and combat feelings of self-doubt. Valdés, in particular, encouraged her to focus on her strengths rather than her perceived limitations. “She gave me a lot of courage and confidence surrounding what I’ve done that I really needed at that time,” Yeh reflected.
Yeh’s commitment to growth led her to engage in numerous events, workshops, and competitions. She worked as a teaching assistant for esteemed professors, including Jessica Jackley, founder of Kiva, and Kenneth Perlman, a partner at CultureSync. Her role supported courses such as Social Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship in Innovative Industries: Life Sciences. “There’s no resource you can’t get,” Yeh remarked, emphasizing the importance of initiative in accessing opportunities at USC Marshall.
In 2024, Yeh had the chance to share her insights at a TEDxYouth@IBSH talk titled “What is the Answer?”. During her presentation, she discussed her leadership experiences and the social impact of her initiatives, drawing from both personal challenges and professional milestones, particularly after the death of her father. “There are always trade-offs,” she noted, reflecting on the cultural differences between her upbringing in Taiwan and her experiences in the United States.
Looking towards the future, Yeh is eager to continue her journey of self-discovery through entrepreneurship. “Throughout my journey, I realized entrepreneurship is like self-discovery, where I see a lot of people exploring and doing whatever they want,” she expressed. This realization has inspired her to contemplate her next steps, focusing on what she truly desires from her career and personal growth.
As Rikke Yeh prepares to embark on her next chapter, her experiences at USC Marshall have equipped her with the skills and confidence to make a meaningful impact in social entrepreneurship, serving as an example for future leaders in the field.
