How one bold leap led this UBC MBAN alumni to a career in healthcare analytics

From Ho Chi Minh City to Vancouver, Thien Nguyen’s (UBC MBAN ‘23) journey reflects the power of bold decisions and continuous growth. Guided by his motto “fortune favours the bold,” he pivoted from a background in international affairs and a career in consulting to pursue business analytics through UBC Sauder’s Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) program. Now, as Data and Reporting Architect at SWITCH BC in Vancouver, he provides analytics solutions and sustains critical reporting infrastructure. Reflecting on his journey, Nguyen discusses how UBC Sauder supported his mindset and the career growth that followed. 

Where are you from (country of origin), and where are you currently based?  

I’m from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and currently based in Vancouver, BC. 
 

Can you walk us through your career journey since graduating from UBC Sauder? 

After graduating from the UBC MBAN program, I joined the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) as a business analyst for the Clinical and Systems Transformation project. In this role, I learned a lot about digital transformation and innovation in healthcare, as well as change management and communication skills that came with it.

I later became a Project Manager on the data analytics, reporting, and evaluation team, focusing on innovation and education projects. In my current role at SWITCH BC as a Data and Reporting Architect on the System Quality and Evaluation team. I provide data solutions and infrastructure services to organizations by designing, building, implementing, and maintaining the reporting and analytics system and its components.

What is one highlight of your career that you’re especially proud of? 

I’m proud of the work that I did for my internship, which I secured with the support of the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre at UBC Sauder. I found the perfect job for me on UBC Sauder’s online career platform, COOL,  that would leverage both my early experiences and analytics education at the time. Within three months at New/Mode, I developed a machine learning-powered application programming interface for their digital campaign creation platform.  

Through this internship, I applied what I learned from the UBC MBAN, while also gaining real-world experience with product development and building actual products. These were all foreign to me before the UBC MBAN, so I was happy with what I was able to accomplish. 
 

Why did you choose UBC Sauder and your specific program? 

My program choice was based on the reflection of my own capabilities. 

I developed a strong foundation in qualitative research and communication through my undergraduate degree in International Affairs. After graduating, I worked at a boutique consulting firm in Asia, managing cross-border trade projects. Although I enjoyed the work, I realized that to truly grow my career and stay competitive, I needed to build analytical skills as data had become essential across industries. Considering this, business analytics emerged as the optimal path with its ideal mix of technical and business training. Allowing me to build on my existing business background while gaining new expertise in data.  

Among the programs available, UBC Sauder stood out as the clear choice due to its strong reputation, excellent faculty and resources, and the quality of opportunities available after graduation.

How did your experience at UBC Sauder shape your career path or contribute to your growth? 

I had a motto, “fortune favors the bold.”

Before the program started, I made a point to enjoy my experience to the fullest and do things that I was not comfortable with. And I did exactly that for the 12-months of MBAN: volunteering with the student society, joining student clubs like the UBC Fencing Club, participating in all-night hackathons, and running my first marathon. It was exhausting at times, but I felt alive. It pushed me to explore my limits and not give up. 

I maintained that mindset after graduation, which allowed me to push through the hurdles of job-seeking and pivot my career to a completely new industry. 
 

Is there a standout memory or moment from your time at UBC Sauder that you often reflect on? 

In February 2023, our cohort was overwhelmed with coursework and job hunting. With Lunar New Year just around the corner, we wanted to lift everyone’s spirits. We collaborated with the RHL Graduate School on a program to celebrate with the whole UBC Sauder community. Within three weeks, we came up with a plan, arranged the logistics, and coordinated training. The result was a cultural show in the CPA Hall with dancing, fashion exhibition, lucky money, fortune telling and a calligraphy workshop. Everyone in the cohort came together to make it happen, demonstrating our shared camaraderie and respect for culture diversity.  
 

What advice would you give to someone considering a business education at UBC Sauder? 

Seize every opportunity that comes your way – and give it your best effort. As a student at UBC, you have access to countless resources, but they’ll remain as nothing more than resources unless you choose to act on them. At the same time, be strategic with your limited time and energy. Think of it like working on a field to raise a crop: only by working smart and hard can you look forward to a rewarding harvest.