Stories

In a fast-paced world where success often seems tied to speed and certainty, Hien Minh – a young alumna of BUV – offers a gentle reminder that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Through her calm and thoughtful approach to life, she shows us that embracing the process and growing at your own pace can be just as meaningful as reaching the destination.

“It’s okay to feel lost sometimes,” Minh shares. “Even after graduating, I still wasn’t sure who I wanted to become, and honestly, I’m still figuring it out. But I’ve learned that the process matters more than rushing to the destination. As long as your current path feels meaningful, you’re doing just fine.”

For Hien Minh, what she valued most during her time at the university went far beyond academics. What truly shaped her was learning how to communicate with others – and how to become independent.

Naturally quiet and introverted at first, she found that BUV’s environment gently pushed her out of her comfort zone. Group presentations, internships, and her role as a program ambassador at campus events were some of the “nudges” that helped her gradually open up. Over time, she became more proactive, confident, and self-reliant.

When Minh talks about her BUV days, her eyes light up. “I was so quiet back then!” she laughs. “BUV gave me so many opportunities that constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone – whether it was through presentations, internships, or just chatting with professors.”

That gentle pushing paid off. Now studying in the UK, she finds herself more comfortable making friends – not only with classmates but even with locals – and handling challenges on her own. “Now that I’m in the UK, I can really see the impact of that growth,” she shared. “I feel more ready to connect with people, both in class and in daily life, and I’ve become much more capable of solving problems on my own.”

Minh’s career so far is like an adventure book – each chapter teaches her something new about marketing.

Reflecting on her career so far, she shared that working across hospitality, retail, and consulting gave her diverse perspectives on marketing.

At MGallery Hotel de la Coupole, she contributed to numerous campaign proposals. It was there she began to see how different aspects of marketing come together to form a cohesive brand identity. Even the smallest tasks helped her understand where she could add value.

Later, in a retail startup, she worked in production, an experience that offered her a behind-the-scenes look at how marketing outcomes are shaped. From building product portfolios to pricing strategies, she learned how strategic decisions connect to real results. She also got her hands into working with data and analytics, turning insights into strategy – knowledge that laid a strong foundation for her current studies in the UK.

And when she was in her consulting “chapter”, she took on a more strategic position. She worked closely with clients, listening to their needs and helping shape their business direction – whether through strategic proposals or brand expansion plans. It was in this role that she saw how marketing ideas grow from mere seeds into something tangible, directly tied to larger business goals. “It made me realize how marketing and branding connect to bigger business goals, from the Seed stage to Exit stage,” she shared.

Each role was like a puzzle piece that helped her see the bigger picture of marketing. Exploring different positions gave her a deeper understanding of how various aspects of marketing contribute to business success and fueled her excitement to further pursue the Ms. Strategic Marketing Management at Aston University.

Wanting to take her learning further and deepen her strategic thinking, she made the decision to pursue a Master’s in Strategic Marketing Management at Aston University in the UK.

She chose the Strategic Marketing Management program since it goes beyond just marketing principles and tools. The program includes business analysis and decision-making skills she had already begun developing in previous jobs and the kind of thinking she wants to bring into her future career.

She also felt this was the right time to study abroad. With enough maturity to adapt and enough curiosity to keep learning, it was the perfect moment to immerse herself in new cultures, make new friends, and absorb knowledge from a broader world. She believes everyone has their own timeline, and she hopes others will find the milestones that make sense for their own path.

“Also, studying in the UK gives me the chance to grow personally too, meeting new people, adapting to a different culture as I wish, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone,” she shared with a smile

As Minh continues her journey abroad, she often reflects on how far she’s come – and the lessons she wishes she had known earlier.

Looking back, she has heartfelt advice for current students navigating their own paths.

“Stay connected,” she said. Even your own lecturers can help you go far beyond the classroom. She recalled with gratitude the guidance from Mr. Mark, whose advice helped her make sense of life after graduation. “Those moments helped shape my direction more than I expected.”

Minh also emphasizes the importance of practical experience. Internships, volunteering, and even small projects, she believes, are essential to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.

Finally, she offered a word of comfort. “It’s okay to feel lost sometimes.” Even after graduation, she continued exploring who she was. She didn’t have all the answers – but being honest with herself was the first step. And that alone, she said, is already half the journey. The process matters more than rushing to a finish line. The journey itself, with all its growth and discovery, is where the real transformation happens.

Every journey is unique, and your experience could inspire others just like Minh’s has. If you’re a BUV alum with a story of growth, challenge, or discovery, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at alumnirelations@buv.edu.vn