Y Mindy Trieu

Major: Masters in Business Administration | Home Town: Vietnam

As a Global Leader and Advisory Board Member in our iSucceed Mentorship Program, Mindy is an active and important contributor to our Global Spartan community.  You may have met her during a Global Leader chat or at one of our ISSS events, and experienced her warm smile and friendly welcome.

What is your dream job?

I’m still exploring my career interest; however, I would love to land a position as a Business Analyst or a Project Manager at a global tech company upon graduation. My MBA cohort has given me incredible advice for my career path, and my professors are also helpful in giving me insights into the current business and job trends.

What types of activities are you involved in at SJSU or in your community?

I’m an Advisory Board Member and a Global Leader at the International Student & Scholar Services. I’m also an Instructional Student Assistant at the Jack Holland Student Success Center.

During my time here, I’ve had a chance to help several graduate students with their research and thesis simply by participating in surveys and interviews they conducted. I’m happy that this year I could join so many SJSU virtual events and get benefits from them while cooking, driving and cleaning.

What is something you want others to know about your hometown, home country, or culture?

Some fun facts about Vietnam that you may not know:

• Vietnam is the second-largest coffee-producing nation, and we drink coffee from a phin filter (Google “coffee phin” and it will pop up.)
• Home of Hang Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest natural cave.
• According to ancient folklore, Vietnamese people are descendants of dragons and fairy.
• You get to bargain for a better price for most products.
• Vietnamese cuisine is considered amongst the healthiest in the world.
• Up to 16% of the world’s species can be found here.
• Lunar New Year is the most important event of the year.
• Binh Chau Hot Natural Springs get so hot that you can boil eggs there.

Come visit Vietnam, and I’ll bring you to eat not only “pho” but also “hu tieu, banh canh, mi Quang, bun rieu” and all other yummy dishes!

What do you enjoy most about SJSU?

The fact that Starbucks remains open when everything else closed on the nights we have our MBA classes. Saved us many stressful nights T.T

Where is your favorite spot on campus and why?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library! On weeks my classmates and I have important group projects and presentations, we would book rooms in the library for hours to study. I like the quiet floor where I can put on my headphone and be in my own space (even take a 15-mins nap!) A super effective place to get my works done.

What do you wish you had known sooner about life in the U.S. or being a student at SJSU?

If I could go back in time, I would get involved in student organizations and SJSU departments in my very first semester. I’ve met great friends, mentors, and cohorts thanks to socializing in those organizations, which I wish I would have realized earlier.

What message do you have for our Global Spartan community?

In this particularly challenging time, please keep in mind that there is a big community of international students at SJSU and in the U.S. who are in the same boat as you. When in fear, think or do something that yields positive impacts for yourself and others. Maybe eat some fruits, or maybe call your grandmother. Strive, regardless of circumstances.