# Alumni Greetings: “Encouragement helped me get the job I wanted after graduation”

> Our alumnus Nhu Nguyen shares her experiences studying International Business at Savonia and how the Finnish academic culture shaped her career path.

## About Nhu Nguyen
*   **Name:** Nhu Nguyen
*   **Origin:** Vietnam
*   **Studies:** Bachelor of Business Administration, International Business (2016–2020)
*   **Current Profession:** Marketing Automation Specialist at F-Secure

## Study Experience at Savonia
When asked to describe her study experience in three words, Nhu chose:
*   **Flexible:** She was able to balance studying with a part-time job.
*   **Exciting:** The Erasmus exchange opportunity was a major highlight.
*   **Full of opportunities for growth:** There were many academic and non-academic projects to take part in.

## Reflections on Finnish Academic Culture
Nhu found it fascinating that in Finland, students can casually call teachers by their first names without using formal titles like “Mr./Madam/Sir/Professor.” She notes that this reflects the equality in Finnish society, which makes it much easier to communicate with teachers and express personal opinions.

## Overcoming Challenges
Nhu noted that finding an internship was initially challenging. She overcame this through the support of her teachers:
*   Her home teacher recommended her for a project, which led to her first internship.
*   Another teacher encouraged her to take an opportunity she was unsure about, noting that it could lead to her long-term career goals. 

She credits the encouragement of various teachers and professionals at the university for providing the advice and experience necessary to secure her desired job after graduation.

## Key Takeaways and Skills
The most important skill Nhu learned during her higher education was to be **proactive and resourceful**. She emphasizes that students should look for answers in various places—friends, seniors, teachers, the library, and the internet—because there is a solution to every problem if you look hard enough.

## Future Aspirations
*   **Short-term goal:** Moving to France to be united with her husband, whom she met during her exchange studies.
*   **Long-term aspirations:** To be a decent person and to earn enough to take care of herself and her loved ones.

## Tips for Future Students
*   **Build your portfolio early:** The job market is becoming more challenging, and having one or two references by the time you graduate can provide a significant head start.
*   **Focus on quality:** Put effort into your school work and consistently produce high-quality results; this can open up unexpected opportunities.