Brynn Nguyen

University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management

“Finance baddie 9:00-5:00, loud snorer 5:00-9:00, cat mom 24/7.”

Fun fact about yourself: I have a strong knowledge base on the history and marketing of toilet paper.

Hometown: Coon Rapids, Minnesota

High School: Coon Rapids High School

Major: Finance

Minor: Leadership

Favorite Business Course: Intro to Excel (Former BA 1001)

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

• Leadership Roles:
  • Carlson Ambassador Co-Lead
  • Emerging Leaders of Color Mentor
  • Outreach Ambassador
  • Leadership Minor Student Associate
  • Orientation Peer Leader
  • Marketing Coordinator for Vietnamese Student Associate Tet Show (Fall 2021 – Spring 2022)
  • World Café Finance Head (Fall 2022 – Fall 2023)
• Awards:
  • President’s Student Leadership Service Award
  • Dean’s List (Fall 2020 – Fall 2023)
  • Ecolab Sustainability Scholar
• Community Work:
  • Semester Field Experience for The Price Dynamic

Where have you interned during your college career?

StraumannGroup, Singapore: Financial Control Intern

Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati: (Family Care) Finance & Accounting Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? Procter & Gamble, Finance Manager

Who is your favorite business professor? My favorite business professor is John Molloy. Taking him for my introductory finance class pulled me into the finance major when I previously was opposed. Now taking him in for final finance class as an undergrad, I’m reminded of his kindness, thoroughness, and passion for what he does. I’m lucky he opened my eyes to finance and am grateful to have the opportunity to learn from him one last time.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Most things are connected and have a reasoning behind it. It’s not often you simply just got lucky or unlucky. Understanding the why can put you more in control going forward.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? A piece of advice I would give to a prospective business major is to not let preconceived notions guide your decisions in what to major in, what clubs to join or not join, and when and where to intern. Always explore and be curious because you don’t know what you don’t know.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? The first thing that surprised me is the negative stereotypes business majors can get. This is surprising because majoring business has given me the skills to be even more communicative, analytical, and see the bigger picture.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back to my time in business school, I would have joined more business student groups earlier in my career. I believe it’s pivotal to interest discovery, networking connections, and finding a community. There are so many things you can do with your business major that exploring options is never the wrong choice.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? My time in the Vietnamese Student Association of Minnesota Tết show is what I’m most proud of because it was a time of many “firsts.” I participated in my first cultural dances. I held my first formal leadership position on campus as the Marketing Head for the show which proved to be challenging and rewarding. Even more, it was my first time being in a group surrounded by students whom hold my same cultural background.

Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire most is Mariam Abdulkareem. She is not only my best friend, but a force to reckon with. The first thing I admire her for is her appreciation and devotion to culture and justice. As someone from multiple cultures, I often find myself sitting in between. However, Mariam dives into the fullness of who she is and all that is around her. The second thing I admire her for is her understanding of her own strengths and weaknesses and her ability to ask for help. Last but not least, I admire her jaw dropping eyeshadow looks that she pulls off so well.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my mom for my success. Throughout my entire career as a student, ranging from elementary school to a completing my undergrad, it is her who signed me up for extracurricular art classes and drove me every week when I was too young to appreciate it. She was the one who used the pens and cutting boards I would make in woodshop afterschool in 7th grade, who would give me cards to tell me how proud she was of me every single time I hopped on a bus to go to a business competition. She was the one who has supported my decisions throughout college that have been turning me into the young woman I am today. She was always my biggest fan even when I wasn’t the biggest fan of myself.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

• Returning to college not as a student, but as a professional guest speaker for a class
• Managing an intern

What made Bryn such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Brynn demonstrates exemplary leadership every day with her thoughtfulness and intentionality. Through her work as a Carlson Ambassador and Emerging Leader of Color Mentor (ELOC), she has prioritized mentoring and giving back to the community to create a more diverse and better future. Aside from her academic prowess, her ability to actively listen and empathize with others fosters a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and respected. Brynn is able to see the big picture of the work, the role she plays, and the impact that she can make. As a result, she has dedicated multiple years to recruiting students from diverse backgrounds and helping create a stronger sense of belonging. She takes seriously the role of individual responsibility, beginning with leading herself every day with integrity. Brynn is a changemaker that will help persuade you that you can also be a leader in your everyday interactions.”

Eric Ly
Associate Director of Undergraduate Enrollment, Undergraduate Program

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