Entrepreneurship, nuclear physics and the perfect pot of tea

Thinh Truong ’17, M.S., has an academic and career path shaped by his ability to adapt and maintain a sense of balance as he has embraced a range of adventures in his life – physics major, Fulbright scholar, world traveler, graduate student, small business owner and nuclear engineer. 

“In some ways, a more direct approach to my life path might have had more professional benefit, but the travel, the friendships have been worth it,” Truong observed. “Without those experiences, gave me the confidence to pursue the professional life I’ve had.”

Truong decided to enroll at Lenoir-Rhyne University following a campus visit, which showed him a strong academic program and a supportive community, he enrolled with the intention of pursuing a degree in engineering physics. He quickly established himself as one of the top students on campus with excellent performance in the classroom and work in the Career Center.

“When Lenoir-Rhyne came on my radar and I learned about the school, I could see myself there,” he shared. “I felt warmth and positivity from the start. It didn’t take long for me to feel at home here.”

A Finntastic journey

A defining moment in Truong’s academic career was becoming Lenoir-Rhyne University’s first Fulbright Scholarhip winner, so he decided to pack his bags and go to Finland, where he would get his master's degree in nuclear engineering.

“I applied to the Fulbright as part of my participation in Lineberger Scholars, but I don’t think I was more or less academically impressive than the other students in that program,” he shared. “Part of my success came from selecting a program that fit my strengths, so I always encourage students to go for it and apply for the big-name fellowships.”

Truong found that his experience in Finland allowed him to grow both personally and professionally.

“I planned for two years, but I stayed for seven. I loved the environment, the connection to nature. I loved the people. Life is very balanced, and they focus on well-being,” he explained. “It’s not just about work but personal development. You’re asking yourself what you want from life, not just for a career.”

He also met his wife, who had come to Finland from Vietnam for college. Truong’s own family had immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 2008.

“We met through friends who invited us on a group trip to pick wild blueberries,” he shared. “She and I were the only ones who showed up.”

Her support and shared values played a key role in Truong’s journey after he completed his master’s degree. Instead of following the conventional route of jumping into the workplace straight out of college or continuing in a Ph.D. program, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship.

“We opened a tea shop. It was a big shift from nuclear physics,” said Truong. “It was a smaller investment and lower risk to open a business in Finland, so my wife and I learned to be entrepreneurs.”

Any worried that there would be customers for his business turned out to be unfounded as lines of customers wrapped around the building in the first week of opening.

“It was such a blessing. It blew our minds how much support we got from the town,” he shared. “Folks still talk about Tea and Roll!”

No place like home

While Truong loved his time in Finland, language limitations prompted him to return to the United States to fully realize his career aspirations.

“A higher position in my field might require Finnish language skills. So, for the long term, we knew the U.S. would be the right choice.”

He accepted a position at General Electric Hitachi in Wilmington, North Carolina as a plan integration engineer.

"We coordinate a lot of other engineering teams from different systems. We are the glue of the whole plant,” he said. “The team has given me a variety of different projects, so it’s been great so far.”

Looking back on his experiences at LR and his adventures since leaving Hickory, Truong recognizes that life isn’t linear. You must learn, grow and adapt every single day. He shows us that life's wins aren't just about the accolades. It's about what you've lived through and the people who've been part of your story.

"Life is not a straight path – it’s a winding road to figure out who you are and what you love to do. It’s about seeking out challenges, adapting to new situations and learning, so when you have that little feeling in your gut that says ‘go for it,’ listen to that. Feel free to put yourself out there and try something new.”