Career Summary

Thao Nguyen is a talented communications practitioner with diverse experience across PR planning and execution, integrated communications, and lecturing. She completed her Master of Communications and Media Studies at Monash University in 2016.

Thao started her career as an Account Intern at Phibious, and has since held several roles with AIESEC, KPMG Vietnam, Edelman, and many more. She currently works as a Media and Communications Lecturer at FPT University in Vietnam, sharing the academic knowledge she gained from her Master’s degree.

Always keen to learn more and further hone her skills, Thao also took on the Arts Graduate Leadership Program during her final year of study at Monash.

Career Pathway

Present – Lecturer, FPT University
Present – Steering Committee Member, UNICEF NextGen Vietnam
2023 – Senior Client Manager, Edelman
2021 – Senior Public Relations Manager, My Thanh Advertisement and Entertainment Company
2021 – Marketing Lead (KPMG OnDemand), KPMG Vietnam
2020 – Senior Marketing Communications Specialist
2018 – Communications and Special Projects Senior
2017 – Media and Communications, International Social Service Australia
2016 – Master of Communications and Media Studies, Monash University
2015 – Digital PR Strategist, Metan
2015 – Account Trainee, Lowe and Partners Worldwide
2014-2016 – Local Chapter President, AIESEC
2015 – Co Chair
2014-2015 – Team Leader
2013-2014 – Vice President of Marketing and Communications
2012-2013 – Member of Outgoing Exchange Department
2014 – Account Intern, Phibious

Why did you decide to study a Master of Communications and Media Studies and why did you choose to study at Monash University in Australia?

I decided to study the Master of Communications and Media Studies because, after some time spent pursuing a career in communications, there were still so many things within this sector that I wanted to explore. I also wanted to take some time off from my professional practice to better my knowledge of media and communications and improve my work overall.

I chose Monash because I was looking for a university that could not only provide me with the best academic environment, but also offer hands-on experience and practice in the field. When I looked at all the options available to me, Monash was the one that suited me best.

How did the Master of Communications and Media Studies enhance your prosperous career?

Studying my Master’s at Monash provided me with a much more in-depth understanding of media and communications.

One of the great things about studying the Arts in Australia is that you get exposed to a real mixture of diverse student profiles and experience, which gives you a far better understanding as to the ways communication can be applied in such a diverse practice.

Studying and working in this environment really helped boost my cultural intelligence (CQ) as well. This was especially beneficial when it came to my role at Edelman, where most of my clients were from outside Vietnam. I was already so used to working with a multitude of different cultures after my Monash studies that this was not a problem for me.

Before studying the Master of Communications and Media Studies, I was also trapped in my thinking a lot. My Monash professors really helped me to break out of this by spending time with me and helping me work through the theories, while also keeping their expectations of my work high. This encouragement really helped me to sharpen my thinking for my career.

The hands-on experiences I had alongside the academic curriculum were also immensely valuable. I took part in both the GSHSS Fellows Leadership Program and the Post Graduate Students Program. These opportunities gave me a great chance to network and work with different students and lecturers, and engage with some NGOs within those programs too.

How do you use the skills you developed from your degree in your current position?

During my studies, I spent a lot of time developing my critical thinking and research skills by speaking to and learning from my professors, and applying their teachings to my research projects. Because of this, I now know how to find the information I need much more quickly and accurately than ever before.

Studying this postgraduate degree at Monash has made me more resourceful and helped to sharpen my thinking, which has then helped me to excel at my current role.

Have you noticed many disparities between how media and communications is approached in Australia vs Vietnam?

I’ve been extremely lucky to experience two very different kinds of practice in Australia and Vietnam. I was fortunate to be able to get my Masters education in Australia, which takes a very liberal approach toward communications and media. Their ideas are built from a very diverse, user-generated content culture where everyone's input is valid.

On the other hand, in Vietnam, media and communications is still very much treated in a more traditional way, so I’ve been able to learn how to make the most out of both worlds.

One of the best things about this is that I can use what I learned in Australia to optimise my work in the growing media industry in Vietnam. While the local appetite for media is different, each approach provides a complementary insight into the practice as a whole.

Would you recommend the Monash Master of Communications and Media Studies to other students?

Of course. There are so many opportunities that studying at Monash can offer you.

For example, they have a studio program that allows students to visit media and communications organisations, such as the ABC. You get the chance to talk to and learn from industry professionals within those organisations and even produce your own podcast or documentary. So, there’s lots of hands-on experiences waiting for you at Monash.

The professors who teach this degree also have a lot of solid industry knowledge and are great resources to tap into. Monash also really helps you to figure out your best fit career-wise after graduation, or reflect on what you really want to do if you’re looking for a career change.

What advice would you give to international or domestic students that are looking to pursue their Master’s at Monash?

I’d say be proactive and take ownership of your time at Monash, so you can really get the most out of your learning opportunity there. It’s a really large university with lots of top-notch students who are always willing to give you a helping hand, but you need to be the one to reach out. So many of my fellow Vietnamese peers didn’t reach out to others - which may be because of cultural differences - but I truly believe that if you want to get the most of your time at Monash, you have to be proactive.

When my siblings were considering which universities to apply for, I told them that in Australia, you have some schools that are known for providing a great theoretical curriculum, and others that offer the practical experience, but at Monash, you get the best of both worlds.

Monash is the ideal place for both international and domestic students who want to explore everything there is to offer while studying their Master’s degree.