Linh Anh Le '20
Linh Anh Le '20

Before Beloit

Looking back to your time during high school years, how did your high school experience prepare you for college?
During my high school years, I was involved in many leadership roles from being a class representative to Orientation Leader or a director for a school play. By participating in these projects, I have built my confidence to encounter any challenges that I might encounter in the future. Coming out of high school, I grew as a person. I learned to communicate with people from different backgrounds, practice presenting myself as a team player and a group leader, and was highly aware of my role and responsibilities with my society.

What advice would you give to a high school student, let's say to Linh Anh high school version, who is preparing for college?
Even though you are not yet sure what you want to do in the future, it is okay. Try to stay focused and put all your heart into everything you are committed to. Try to reach out to people, learn about new opportunities, do not stay passive, and wait for opportunities to come to you.

Year 1

What is the most memorable experience or moment from your freshman year of college?
I cannot choose which one is the most memorable experience, so that I will name two. The first moment was when I declared my majors in Business Economics and Education & Youth Studies. It was memorable since I had always wanted to learn and get into these two fields from the beginning of college. The second one and also the proudest moment is when I, along with 2 other friends, found the Beloit International Students Career Services organization (BISCS). This organization was the first organization on campus at that time that helped international students with professional career developments. All thanks to Jessica Fox Wilson's support that I could have carried out my idea. Jessica had connected me with two other Beloiters, who later became the other two BISCS co-founders and my lifelong special friends. Along with Jessica's support, BISCS also received many bits of help from Beloit College's professors, especially Economics professors, who became our valuable resources for connecting with international alumni.

Year 2

During your time at Beloit College, was there any specific moment that you considered to be the turning point of your study life (or your career pathway)?
In my sophomore year, I discovered my new field of interest - Data Analytics (I then changed my major to Quantitative Economics later). I didn't know about data analytics and never thought it would be for me before I took Quantitative Economics Method with Professor Jermaine Moulton. Throughout 4 years at Beloit, my analytics skills gradually got improved through different classes and projects I have done. I'm thankful for all opportunities I got with the support of professors from both the Economics and the Education & Youth Studies Departments. Those projects were meaningful to me and have challenged me intellectually.

Could you share with us more about your experience with BISCS during your sophomore year?
At that time, my BISCS team successfully delivered Global Beloiters - a panel discussion and networking opportunity that connected current international students with international alumni across the world. It was touching when later BISCS received many warm-hearted thank-you feedback saying that we had helped international students feel more engaged with the campus.

Year 3

How did your experiences at Beloit College help shape your career development and enter the Data Analytics field?
In my junior year, I attended the annual Econ Day, which gave me a chance to meet and network with many amazing alumni working in different industries. Later on, I successfully secured a Data Analyst internship at Chicago Public Schools for the summer of my junior year, with the help of the alum I met in Econ Day, Andrew Davis, and Professor Diep Phan.

In terms of non-academic experience, what was the most important achievement that contributed to your personal growth at Beloit College?
Becoming a Residential Assistant (RA) during my junior year marked my development of leadership skills. I was the RA for an upperclassmen dorm, facilitating 27 residents and acting as a liaison between residents and the college administration.

Year 4

During your senior year, what did you do to prepare for your post-graduation life?
I had my second internship at Hendricks CareerTek through the Duffy Partnerships program in my senior year. During my internship, I conducted interviews, learned about vocational training and work preparation for young students from grades 6 to 12. I also had a chance to present her research result about Child mortality in Vietnam at the Student Symposium, with the help of Professor JingJing Lou and Professor David Segura of the Education & Youth Studies Department. My senior year went crazy and busy, but I managed to finish my double major degree one semester early. Then, I just focused on searching for jobs in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After Beloit

Could you tell us a little bit about the work you are currently doing?
I am currently working as the Director Research and Analyst at the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (WAIC). What I love about this position is that I can combine my two passions (Education and Data Analytics) into one career.

What would be your advice for students who are considering attending Beloit College?
If you want to be an Economics major, Beloit is one of the best places to do so. We have excellent professors who care about you personally, a strong alumni network, and awesome programs such as Econ Day, CELEB, Belmark that I am sure will suit you well.