Meet Hannan Hussain

We recently connected with Hannan Hussain and have shared our conversation below.

Hannan, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
As a first-generation college student, an international student, and often the youngest founder at entrepreneurship events, I’ve consistently been the outlier.

My journey is marked by a series of firsts: from being the first in my circle to study in the U.S. to becoming the first CEO in my family. This unique position taught me early on that the essence of achieving anything lies in the attempt itself. I live by the motto, “rather an oops than an if,” which embodies my approach to life and business. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of trying, regardless of the outcome, and has instilled in me a fearlessness to embrace challenges head-on.

In rooms where I’m the only one jamming to a different beat, I’ve discovered that rocking out solo isn’t a bad thing. Confidence, effort, and the willingness to give 100% are my greatest allies. These traits have not only allowed me to navigate through unfamiliar territories but also to thrive in them. By staying true to this ethos, I’ve found that being distinctive is not a hindrance but a strength that propels me towards effectiveness and success!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As the founder & CEO of Intern Guys, I’ve dedicated the past two years to revolutionizing the world of internships.

Intern Guys was born out of Irvine, CA, and (I’m a UC Irvine graduate), I’ve since moved our operations to the heart of startups – San Francisco. Intern Guys serves as an internship recruitment agency that handles the A to Z of intern hiring for companies. From sourcing, filtering, interviewing to even onboarding, we cover both technical and non-technical roles, aiming to bridge the gap between our user base of 2.8 million students and internship opportunities.

What excites me the most is the impact we’re making. Every time a student lands an internship through us, it reaffirms our mission. It’s about creating opportunities, fostering growth, and building the future workforce.

**Exclusive Announcement:**

I’m thrilled to unveil our latest innovation – an intern hiring automation software!

This solution is designed to simplify and automate the entire intern recruitment process. With just a few inputs into our chatbot, companies can now enjoy automation in posting, applicant filtering, interviewing, and receive a curated list of the top 3 candidates for each role. This not only saves time but also drastically cuts down on the cost of hiring. Our goal with this software is to make the hiring process as efficient and effective as possible, ensuring companies find the perfect intern match while providing students with invaluable work experience.

Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to reach out if Intern Guys can help you find your next star intern or streamline your hiring process with our new software. Here’s to creating more success stories, one internship at a time!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, the essence of success boiled down to: blood, sweat, and grit.

For those starting out, my advice is always short and not so sweet: never give up and always give your 100%.
Attitude is crucial, both as a founder and an employee. Embrace the principle of “hire for personality, train for skill.” Hard work, persistence, and a positive mindset will guide you to master your domain and beyond. Keep pushing, stay resilient, and let your journey be defined by the determination to succeed.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Friends have been a good anchor, offering a space to clear my mind and a source of humility. They provide a perspective outside the immediate pressures of work, make sure to roast me if I fly too high and keep me grounded.

Family has played a critical role in offering candid advice. They challenge me to confront realities I might otherwise avoid, pushing me towards growth and resilience. Major shout out here since 98% of my success roots from pretty much what they did for me.

Y Combinator (YC) has been nothing short of a lighthouse in the tumultuous sea of business. I’ve turned to their videos, advice, and wisdom as if they were sacred texts. A significant portion of my business philosophy and concepts are derived from YC’s teachings, providing clarity and direction in the most challenging times.

This collective support system has been pivotal in shaping the entrepreneur and person I am today, equipping me with the skills, qualities, and knowledge to navigate the path to success. I urge everyone to find their support system especially if you want to do great things. You’ll need it.

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