Ideas with Impact
UNB Faculty of Management

Growing up in My Tho City in Vietnam, a few hours outside Ho Chi Minh City, Vu Duy “Anh” Phan always had a knack for numbers. He majored in physics in high school, undaunted by complex formulas, but deep down, he knew his future lay in business. That dream became reality when he enrolled at Foreign Trade University (FTU) in Ho Chi Minh City and later transferred into the BBA program at UNB’s faculty of management through a pathway partnership between the two institutions.

Arriving in Fredericton three years ago, Anh faced a series of unexpected challenges. The teaching methods at UNB were different from what he was used to, and although he had studied English at FTU, full immersion in the language was tough. Then came the Atlantic Canadian winter; it was so cold it made his nose bleed. “Those first few months were hard,” he recalls. “My grades suffered.”

But Anh didn’t let those setbacks define his experience. He doubled down on his studies and embraced every opportunity UNB had to offer from competitions and networking events to resume and interview workshops. His determination paid off when he was hired for his first Co-op work term with NTI Boilers in the accounting office, where he gained both technical and soft skills.

That experience opened doors. When Anh interviewed with NB Power for a summer Co-op position, his familiarity with accounting software from the previous coop term gave him a competitive edge. He was hired and spent a year completing journal entries, reconciling accounts, conducting financial analyses, and supporting departments across the organization.

“One of the most valuable aspects of this Co-op was being able to collaborate with individuals at the CPA level,” Anh explains. “I learned not only technical accounting practices but also how to think strategically and approach problems the way professional accountants do”

“UNB has so many opportunities for students to learn and launch their careers,” Anh says. “Co-op is at the top of the list. You gain experience, and it shows you’re dedicated to learning.”

With the completion of 3 Co-op work terms, Anh fulfilled all the requirements for his BBA and will graduate in October. Even more exciting, he’s accepted a full-time position as a financial analyst with NB Power starting in September, where he will also be supported in pursuing his CPA designation.

From dreaming about a business career as a high school student in Vietnam to launching that career in New Brunswick, Anh’s journey has come full circle. One of his proudest moments will be bringing his mother to Canada to watch him cross the stage at convocation.

“I am so grateful to be a UNB alum,” he says. “I’ll never regret coming here.”

Photo: From Foreign Trade University (FTU) in Vietnam to UNB’s faculty of management, Vu Duy “Anh” Phan is on his way to obtaining the CPA designation.

Learn more about UNB’s faculty of management and co-op program.

Media contact

Liz Lemon-Mitchell
Lizabeth.Lemonmitchell@unb.ca