Lip‑Bu Tan and Irving Tan, both alumni of Nanyang Technological University, have become CEOs of two of America’s biggest tech companies. Their journeys offer practical lessons for anyone who wants to build a successful career.

Lip‑Bu Tan graduated with a physics degree from NTU in 1978. He later founded the venture‑capital firm Walden International, led Cadence Design Systems, and was appointed CEO of Intel in March 2025. Bloomberg estimated his wealth at at least US$1.1 billion in 2025.

Irving Tan earned a mechanical‑engineering degree from NTU in 1995. After starting as a graduate trainee at ExxonMobil, he worked for Kearney and then held senior positions at HP and Cisco before becoming CEO of Western Digital in February 2025.

Both executives stress the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and trusting teammates, and they advise young professionals to stay open to opportunities. Their career paths were non‑linear: Tan moved from venture capital to semiconductor leadership, while Irving Tan shifted from the energy sector to consulting and then technology operations.

Lip‑Bu Tan served as an NTU trustee from 2006 to 2011 and contributed $3 million in 2024 to create the university’s first AI professorship. Both alumni addressed the audience at NTU’s U.S. Tech Summit in California.

The key lesson is that success often depends on adaptability, good mentors and a willingness to embrace change, not on following a single, predictable track. Staying connected to one’s roots can also provide valuable support along the way.