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By stepping out of her comfort zone, Nguyen found her voice at UNB through leadership, communication and connection.

Tam Nguyen came to the University of New Brunswick’s Saint John campus with one plan: to keep her head down and get her undergraduate degree. She never expected it would be the place she’d find her voice.

“I saw myself staying within familiar spaces, working independently and avoiding situations that felt uncertain or challenging,” Nguyen said.

Her love of storytelling, however, was quietly waiting to guide her. Growing up in Vietnam, she had always been drawn to literature.

“I enjoyed how stories made me feel and how they allowed me to imagine different lives, perspectives and possibilities beyond my own experience,” she said.

At UNB, Nguyen pursued communication studies, where she learned to analyze stories and experience how storytelling shapes real life—from social media posts to campaigns, to the why and how people choose to share their experiences.

Nguyen described her first years at UNB as intense. She pushed herself academically, often taking six courses per semester while starting to explore leadership opportunities on campus. The workload was heavy, and balancing studies with new responsibilities was challenging.

“What pushed me was the realization that my biggest limitation wasn’t my ability; it was my fear,” she said.

“What helped me keep going during challenging times was a combination of having a clear sense of purpose and the support I received both in my personal life and the academic environment.”

Music, family, friends and encouraging professors gave her the strength to keep moving forward.

During her early days at UNB, Nguyen had little involvement in campus activities.

“I did not see myself as someone who would take on leadership roles or become highly involved in campus life, because I was more comfortable staying in the background and focusing on my own work rather than stepping into roles that required me to speak, lead or connect with others in more visible ways,” she said.

“I often hesitated before taking on responsibility or speaking up.”

But that changed once she decided to get more involved.

“Being surrounded by people who were so engaged in the campus community encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and gradually become more confident in how I communicate and lead,” she said.

“For me, leadership wasn’t about already being confident; it was about deciding to be brave before I felt ready. And over time, that decision really changed how I see myself,” she said. “So even though stepping into leadership felt uncomfortable and honestly a little scary at first, I chose to do it anyway.”

This course change led Nguyen to her role as orientation vice-president with the UNB Students’ Representative Council, through which she helped organize more than 30 events and manage volunteers. She also led the orientation communication strategy, creating social media content that helped new students feel welcome before they even arrived.

Nguyen’s work in digital media gave her another outlet for growth, and she continued to put herself out there. As the first social media manager for The Baron, UNB’s Saint John independent student press, she translated stories into videos, posts and graphics, helping students feel connected to the campus community. She lent those same skills as the social media coordinator with the UNB Positive Mental Health Team, for which she created videos and campaigns that encouraged students to access resources and share their experiences.

“Through this process, I became more aware that storytelling is not only about what is being said, but also about how it is presented, how quickly it can capture attention, and how it connects with its audience,” she said.

Behind-the-scenes roles also shaped Nguyen’s growth and development. As a peer-writing tutor, she learned patience and the power of one-on-one support.

“These interactions helped me become more aware of how small conversations can make a difference in someone’s confidence,” she said.

Nguyen’s time at UNB also taught her resilience. Watching new students arrive at Orientation Week and settling into their new homes were reminders of why she set out to pursue leadership and communication.

“Even though my role was mostly behind the scenes, I realized that those contributions still played a part in shaping others’ experiences.”

Looking back, Nguyen sees a journey of personal transformation—from a hesitant first-year student to a confident fourth-year taking initiative, leading and connecting with others.

“I used to be very shy, and I stayed in my comfort zone because I was afraid of being judged or not being good enough. But after a deep conversation with my friends, and seeing them take risks and grow, I started to question that. I didn’t want to look back on my life and realize I had chosen comfort over potential.”

Nguyen’s advice for current students?

“You do not have to feel ready to begin. Confidence is something that develops through experience, not before it.”

After graduation, Nguyen will work toward building a career in digital storytelling and communication, ideally within a university setting. She also plans to continue learning and to apply to graduate school.

“No matter where I go, my goal is to create work that is meaningful, where I can help people feel informed, connected and represented through communication,” she said.

Through all her experiences, Nguyen has learned that growth often comes from stepping into uncertainty, and that every story—whether in literature, on social media or through human connection—has the power to help people feel seen and understood.