Major: Biochemistry
Minors: Chemistry, Psychology
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Graduated: December '19
I am a first-generation college student, which is a very big deal in my family. Both of my parents are immigrants from Vietnam, having only reached some middle school education. Being the first one to graduate in my family is very important, especially because of how hard my parent's worked to give me the opportunity to pursue higher education.
During my first few years of college, I struggled to do well. My father had passed away when I was just 17 from lung cancer. At that same time I was still experiencing the unfamiliar place that is a university.
I was set on becoming a medical doctor and started my career as a pre-med student. I decided on taking on the biochemistry major, as I had heard it was one of the best majors with a rigorous course load to prepare me for my future career. I was also given the opportunity to become a biochemistry student ambassador to represent the department at multiple events and speak with incoming students.
I was a participant in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) where I learned about the world of healthcare and the disparities that small communities face. SHPEP was where I had also learned that the pre-med path was not for me.
Shortly after the program, I began my search for a new goal. That's where I stumbled upon optometry. I began shadowing multiple optometrists in Lincoln and in Omaha. I did as much research as possible on my new interest and studied tediously for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT). I even began my new job as an optometric technician.
In my final year as a senior, I applied to optometry school and was accepted.
Future plans: optometry school at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, California.
