Sharon Gao

12 Barlow Court, Plainsboro NJ 08536 (908)635-1259 sgtwo@princeton.edu

Princeton senior with experience in product development, data analysis, and user experience optimization, seeking a

high-impact role with large responsibility. Well versed in agile thinking and entrepreneurial methodologies.

Education

Princeton University, Princeton, NJ GPA: 3.4 Class of 2015.

A.B. in Economics.

Certificates in MAE Sustainable Energy, Technology & Society: Energy, Environmental Science, East Asian Studies.

Junior Independent Research: The Effect of Advanced Metering Infrastructure on Electricity Usage: A Panel Data

Analysis at the Utility Level Across the United States, 2007-2012.

West Windsor Plainsboro HS-South, Plainsboro, NJ Class of 2011.

Work Experience

Zynga: Product Manager Intern, San Francisco June 16th 2014 August 22nd Nov 24th

Live Game: Analyzed revenue, retention, and growth data, monitored trends and game health when on-call.

Increased D1 and D7 retention by 5-7% with deep-dive data and competitive analysis on First Time User

Experience. Communicated with designers and developers to implement spec.

New IP: Designed virtual currency economy, social features, trading, resource collection, and NPC personalities.

Monetization and User Experience Guru.

Innovation: Led a team of intern developers to build an innovative new game from the ground up.

Contractor: Continued as a long-distance contractor with Zynga on new IP. Modelled go-to-market plan and

continued features design, systems design, and competitive analysis.

Keller Center eLab Associate, Princeton NJ June 11th 2013 August 10th 2013

Managed Princetons summer startup accelerator, eLab. Oversaw the development of 9 startup teams,

administrated the Lean Launchpad methodology w/ Jim Hornthal, and organized fun bonding events for members.

Power in a Box: Co-Founder, Princeton NJ September 2012 March 2013

Collaborated with the University to design and construct a portable, hybrid wind-solar system for quick

deployment in post disaster scenarios or temporary refugee camps.

SAT/College Tutor, Princeton NJ June 2012 Present

Bilingual English/Chinese University Tour Guide, Princeton NJ March 2013 Present

Leadership Experience and Activities

Fencing 2006 - Present

Internationally ranked member of US travelling team. Travels extensively worldwide for tournaments.

Princeton Varsity Fencing Team: 2013 NCAA Champions, 5 time consecutive Ivy League Champions.

Princeton Social Entrepreneurship Initiative: Director September 2012 June 2014

Organized PrincetonPitch and TigerLaunch, startup competitions with over $60,000 prize money.

Keller Center Fellow in Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship September 2013 Present

Leader of a group of high impact, motivated students that pursue independent projects to promote

entrepreneurship and innovation at Princeton.

Department of Energy Better Buildings Case Competition: Team Lead November 2013Present

Mobilized and led a team of students to participate in Princetons first ever entry to the DOE BBCC. Conducted

an in-depth analysis on innovative and feasible methods for utilities to satisfy a 4% solar carve-out RPS.

Energy Table: Co-President September 2013Present

Video Game Society: Vice President March 2013 Present

East Asian Affairs Society: Co-Founder October 2012 June 2013

Sympoh Breakdancing Team: Member September 2013-Present

Skills

Languages: Chinese Fluency, Spanish Proficiency

Proficient in: Java Programming, STATA, Wordpress, Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, Illustrator

Artistic Achievement

Commissioned Work: Kaijou Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, 21 South End Ave, New York, 10280

Personal exhibits at Princeton University, Princeton Poetry Festival, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1st place Winner of National Association of Conservation Districts 2009 National Art Contest