Kevin Nguyen

With a natural passion for creating websites, designing graphics, developing content, and a strong interest for learning how the digital marketing world works, Kevin Nguyen chose to major in marketing and minor in entrepreneurship at the University of Louisville (UofL).

Kevin, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, graduated from Butler High School, and joined the Metropolitan College program in Fall 2017.

“One of the core reasons I decided to participate in the Metro College Program was to graduate debt-free. I grew up in a poor single-household family, so money was always an issue around the house. I knew I didn’t want to put another huge financial burden on my family when it came to college,” said Kevin. “Metro College was an opportunity I couldn’t miss out on.”

While working third shift as a package handler at UPS, Kevin was highly involved in student organizations and took on several leadership roles from Social Media Chair and External Vice President for the Vietnamese Student Association, to serving as a State Representative for the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of the Midwest, and most recently, Co-Chair for the Co-Chaired Employee Retention Committee (CERC) at UPS.

Additionally, Kevin created a photography business and website on the side that specializes in lifestyle, couples, family, groups, senior, and graduation portraits.

This spring, Kevin received a nomination for the 2021 Outstanding Metropolitan College Student Award, an award that recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, work-life balance, and academic success.

Kevin’s dream of graduating college deft-free and earning a bachelor’s degree from UofL was realized in May 2021. The recent graduate and entrepreneur is currently working under contract as a Social Media Coordinator at a small marketing firm and seeking full-time job opportunities.

“UPS has shaped me to become the best version of myself. If it wasn't for UPS, I would not be where I am at today,” said Kevin.

Learn more about Kevin Nguyen in this Metropolitan College Spotlight Q&A Interview and Video

Video Credits:
Video produced by Renecia Griffie Davis, a Metropolitan College staff member.

Music in this video:
Song Artist: Scott Holmes Music
Song Title: Another Level
Source: freemusicarchive.org

What has been your involvement with experiential learning opportunities (i.e. co-curricular activities, co-ops or internships, volunteer experience, community service, undergraduate research, etc.).
While managing school and work, I have had the wonderful opportunity to join and lead the Vietnamese Students Association (on a local and regional level) to not only further understand my family's background, culture, and community but learn the beautiful language as well. I've also joined the Chinese Scholars Union for similar reasons as to understand and learn about the culture there as well since I am half Chinese and Vietnamese. During my time there, I've had the chance to take on leadership roles in these organizations to give back to my community as much as I can, and in hopes to enhance my interpersonal skills along the way. At the end of my senior year, I decided to get more work experience towards my career path and had the internship opportunity to take on the new role as Social Media Specialist. It has been an amazing experience and each day; I'm learning something new.

What are your plans after graduation?
My current plans after graduation are to seek out a full-time job as a Digital Marketer in the beloved city of Columbus, Ohio. I hope to have my very own little apartment and have a chance to accomplish the goals I've made for my future self since I was little. I am attracted to Columbus because it’s a place I really enjoy being at because of my past experiences going there. It’s affordable, friends are there, new career opportunities, new change, and it’s still close to family.

What has been your biggest challenge as a MC participant and how did you overcome this challenge?
Time management. The biggest challenge was balancing school full time, working a 3rd shift job, taking care of my family, having a social life, working my career, while still be able to do my everyday life things. I started noting every single daily task, chore, social event, homework assignment, exam, or meeting on my Google calendar. And if it wasn't on my calendar, it would be on my to-do list. I would have my week planned out, sometimes even prepare these months in advance just so I know what to work on that day or month. I understood that if I wanted to do all these things. For every small or big decision, I had to be rational and intentional with it.

What motivates and drives you to succeed while pursing your educational goals?
The life I grew up in was my biggest motivation. Although there were a lot more difficult obstacles and routes I had to take to get to where my peers were, once I caught up to them, it was truly the greatest feeling in the world. I was envying the life others lived and how fast they were accomplishing their goals. It motivated me to work even harder regardless of my circumstances. If it wasn't for my peers, I would not have the drive or ambition to pursue the life I've dreamt of.

How has working at UPS contributed to your personal and professional growth?
UPS has helped me understand my communication and leadership style, learning how to manage a team, providing me opportunities to grow, and have even assisted me in my professional career. Also, UPS helped me to understand what it feels like to work in the real adult world. This meant, not missing any days at work, being responsible, giving my best effort, or supporting the company. UPS has contributed to professional and personal growth massively.

What person(s) has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My mom. She has taught me through hard work and dedication, you can achieve and accomplish anything you want in life. I've seen her put in hours, and hours, and hours of hard work, and even till this day, I would wonder..."How does she do it?" She was there for us at every point in our lives. Supporting her two sons, helping them, putting food on the table, and doing anything she could to provide for her family. I can't explain how much she has done for us, but let's just say, I owe her everything and I love her.

What advice do you have for students interested in the MC program?
Learning how to persevere through your hardest times, managing your life, and taking care of your mental health is the best advice I could give out to all new Metro College students. I promise it will put you through an emotional rollercoaster, but once you made it, you will feel like you're on top of the world. Think about it...you're graduating debt-free, getting real-world corporate experience, creating connections, receiving potential job opportunities, and getting paid while also receiving academic bonuses. How do you say no to all of that!

What is an interesting or fun fact about yourself?
I love listening to slow R&B music or just whatever type of music I'm feeling at the moment. Let's just say, I'm on Spotify a lot. I'm into photography, finance, digital marketing, content creation, or anything on the creative side! You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinnguyenco/.

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We are proud of our current students and alumni and their incredible accomplishments! The MC Spotlight is a way for us to highlight the amazing things our current students and alumni are doing. As you read their stories, you will learn how their Metropolitan College experiences helped to shape their futures and influence their careers.

We are always on the lookout for inspiring MC Spotlight stories. If you or someone you know is interested in sharing a story with us, contact us at askmetro@kctcs.edu.

Note: At Metropolitan College, we consider our alumni anyone who has ever completed coursework and received tuition benefits with us.