In This Story
For graduating senior Duong Thuy Nguyen, George Mason University has been more than a place to earn a degree; it has been a community for opportunity. A first‑generation college student, immigrant, and incoming Bachelor’s‑to‑Accelerated‑Master’s (BAM) student, Nguyen has shaped her undergraduate experience with persistence, curiosity, and a bold willingness to seek support.
From her first semester at George Mason, Nguyen embraced the university’s student resources. “I reached out to the success coach, I went to career fairs and career services. I practiced interviews. I connected with people,” she said. “You need help and support from others.”
Nguyen’s hard work and resourcefulness led to academic excellence and meaningful professional experience. Not only did she complete concentrations in both cybersecurity and database technology and programming (DTP) in the information technology program, but also she completed internships related to each concentration. Moreover, she did all of this while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
The first internship, through the Virginia Cyber Navigator Internship Program, focused on election security. Nguyen led a team of two other George Mason students working with the Information Technology Department of Campbell County, Virginia, during the presidential election season in summer 2024.
Nguyen found the second internship through George Mason University Career Services’ On-Campus Internship Program. She applied her DTP skills as a Junior CRM Data Analyst Intern in the Office of The Provost at George Mason. “GMU really has given me so many opportunities, and I am so grateful for our school!” said Nguyen.
Each internship strengthened Nguyen’s expertise across her concentrations while reinforcing George Mason’s emphasis on learning through real‑world impact.
“I didn't know if I was ready for graduate courses yet,” Nguyen explains. “However, through the IT Capstone Program, I have had a chance to apply all of my knowledge and skills.” Nguyen led her capstone team in work for a local small business, Organic Honey Care Spa.
“I realized that I have the skills and confidence needed for graduate studies,” she said. “GMU and the Capstone Program transformed me from a shy, self-doubting person into someone confident enough to be a BAM student and follow her dreams to gain success and independence.”
“The BAM program is designed for students like Duong, motivated learners who want to deepen their expertise while staying connected to real‑world challenges,” said Associate Professor Zhisheng Yan, the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology. The BAM program allows high‑achieving students to begin graduate‑level coursework while completing their bachelor’s degrees. Yan added, “The program allows our students to build momentum, apply advanced concepts earlier, and graduate prepared to lead in fast‑evolving technology fields.”
Nguyen, who now works part-time for Fairfax County’s Voting Equipment Team, plans to continue building her career in cybersecurity and systems design, with the long‑term aspiration of returning to higher education as a mentor.
As she balances professional work and graduate studies, Nguyen remains grounded in the lessons she learned at George Mason: Progress is possible when community and initiative meet. She advises current students, “Follow a schedule, talk to professors early, and reach out for help.”