Everyone loves a good story about a career “come-up,” and Shou Zi Chew has one that includes an unexpected stop: a brief internship at Meta (then called Facebook). While most know Chew as the CEO of TikTok, his career path holds some interesting twists that shaped the leader he is today.

According to Fortune magazine, Chew spent a short stint at Meta in 2009 while at Harvard Business School. This was during a time of rapid growth for the company under founder Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership. For Chew, the experience offered a firsthand look at the challenges of scaling a tech platform globally. Immersed in the fast-paced environment, he gained valuable insights that would later influence his leadership approach.

From Meta Intern To TikTok CEO

Chew’s time at Meta may have been short, but it was an important stepping stone in his career. After completing his MBA at Harvard Business School, he went on to work at Goldman Sachs and later DST Global, where he contributed to securing investments in companies like ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company. His tenure as chief financial offer at Xiaomi, a global electronics powerhouse, further solidified his ability to lead in high-growth industries.

As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the TikTok CEO’s career moves have also resulted in significant financial success, with his net worth currently estimated at $200 million.

The Meta-TikTok Connection

Chew’s brief chapter at Meta is an intriguing footnote, especially as TikTok and Meta now compete fiercely in the social media space. His exposure to Meta’s strategies during its formative years likely gives him an edge in understanding the dynamics of the industry and responding to competitive pressures.

Interestingly, Meta’s involvement with TikTok doesn’t end with Chew’s early internship. BuzzFeed News reported in 2019 that Mark Zuckerberg once considered acquiring Musical.ly, the precursor to TikTok, as part of Meta’s strategy to dominate the short-form video space. However, the deal never materialized, leaving an open lane for TikTok’s explosive growth.

Zuckerberg’s failed bid didn’t stop Meta from trying to counter TikTok’s rise. The company shifted focus to developing competing products, such as Instagram Reels, to reclaim market share in the short-form video segment. This ongoing rivalry underscores the competitive pressures that Chew must navigate as TikTok continues to disrupt the social media landscape.

Will Chew’s Internship Knowledge Pay Off Today?

Chew’s leadership of TikTok comes at a time of uncertainty and heightened scrutiny. In a separate AFROTECH™ report, TikTok’s operations in the United States have been under constant threat, including discussions of a potential ban and demands for a U.S. ownership stake to ensure compliance with national security concerns. These challenges put Chew at the center of intense regulatory and geopolitical debates, raising questions about the platform’s future.

While his career highlights resilience and adaptability, the road ahead for Chew and TikTok is far from smooth. How the TikTok CEO navigates these challenges will determine not only TikTok’s position in the global market but also the precedent for how tech companies handle geopolitical tensions in the digital age.