Maya Thi Dong came to Vanderbilt with a degree in accounting from the Banking Academy of Vietnam and 6 years of experience in banking, finance, and entrepreneurship. Critically, she also came to Vanderbilt with a burning desire to learn business fundamentals, improve her strategic thinking skills, and gain a global perspective.

Fluent in 3 languages—English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin—Maya studied banking and finance as an undergraduate in Vietnam. She later earned a certificate at the University of Nantong in Guangzhou, China, where she co-founded a Guangzhou-based Asia-Pacific trading company. She began exploring MBA programs as the next step toward pivoting to her dream career: consulting. “Owen captured my heart through the warmth and support of its people and the promise of intimate class sizes,” she says. “I received calls and messages welcoming me into the fold before I stepped onto the campus.”

At Vanderbilt, Maya found academic excellence—along with a wealth of resources and experiences outside the classroom. The Leadership Development Program helped her identify her leadership skills and deficits. “The LDP was a mirror reflecting my leadership style, warts and all,” she recalls. “It encouraged me to tackle my leadership challenges head-on, and I emerged more self-aware and confident in my ability to lead with empathy and vision.”

As a Dean’s Scholar, Maya attended the Dean’s Scholars Think Tank Strategic Sessions. “We helped devise strategies to help new students navigate and thrive at Owen, which was incredibly rewarding and meant I had a hand in shaping a supportive environment for future leaders,” she says. “I really valued the chance to contribute to the Owen legacy.”

She particularly appreciated the personal guidance from Career Management Center staff during recruiting season. “The experience can seem daunting, and their guidance was instrumental in my journey toward securing a dream internship and a full-time offer,” she says.

Maya describes Project Pyramid, an interdisciplinary program through which students develop market-driven solutions to meet social needs, as another highlight of her Vanderbilt experience. “I learned invaluable lessons on social impact that I will carry forward throughout my career,” she says.

“Look beyond numbers and rankings,” she advises other international students considering MBA programs. “It’s the community, the culture, and the opportunities for personal growth that truly define your MBA experience. At Owen, you’ll find a top-tier business education, and you’ll also discover a family and a home.

“I gained personal connections, worked on real-world consulting projects, and had alumni mentors who guided my steps. Owen has been a crucible of growth for me, both professionally and personally. The challenges I faced and victories I celebrated here have instilled in me a resilience and a vision for the future I could not have gained elsewhere.”

Fun Fact: Maya is passionate about karaoke and uses her own setup at home daily.

Vanderbilt doesn’t just prepare you for your next job, but for a lifelong career filled with purpose and passion.