Leadership, service and legacy

The terms computer science, information technology and cybersecurity may not immediately bring the words public service to mind, but non-profits rely on technology like everyone else. As part of a capstone project in computer science in spring 2023, Ringo Nguyen ’24 led a team of students in developing a web presence and database for VOICE, a local non-profit helping homeless veterans. In June Nguyen’s team and their efforts earned recognition from the United Way of Catawba County.

“I’m focused on real life and learning from experiences,” Nguyen shared. “We brought the VOICE project to this level because my team and I took it seriously to make making a product, to create something that they could really use.  I hope our team continues to have the same passion and fire to help the VOICE organization and make a positive impact on LR and the community.”

Finding a voice

Under Nguyen’s leadership, the small project to build a website and a database of VOICE volunteers, donors and clients bloomed into a larger mission. After talking to VOICE founder and president Marcia Hubbard, Nguyen formed a vision to promote the non-profit and help it run more efficiently.

“I developed a vision for the website and a documentary video because the team needs a common goal, a shared mission, to get the work done,” said Nguyen.

Work ethic is a defining feature of Nguyen’s life, but so is service to others. He started his first job at age six, washing dishes in his parents’ restaurant in Vietnam because he wanted to help out. He still helps his mom, working alongside her as a nail tech during summer vacations.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you need to work the job that your parents are doing so you can feel what they’ve been through and feel the gratitude for what they’ve provided for you,” he shared.

Nguyen’s parents and two siblings immigrated to the United States in 2007, which brought new challenges and new work for Nguyen.

“I was very shy growing up. When I got to high school, I barely talked to anyone,” said Nguyen. “My brother urged me to get a job at McDonald’s to help make me more outgoing. I think sometimes you need someone who can give you that push when you can’t push yourself.”

During his senior year at Hickory High School, Nguyen moved on from McDonald’s to an internship with Select Tech Inc. — a Hickory-based firm that provides IT support, hardware repair, and cybersecurity services — where Nguyen still works.

“I think hands-on experience gives you resilience when you fall. You need a high level of confidence and calm to work with customers. You also learn self-talk skills, so you can keep growing,” he said.

Not wanting to start college before knowing what he wanted to study, Nguyen took a gap year after high school, working and spending several months traveling in India with his parents.

“Comparing what life was like there and with life here helped me focus. I knew I wanted to take advantage of the educational opportunities I have and create something new.”

Legacy and doors to the future

That drive to create something new and to help others shaped Nguyen’s vision for the VOICE project. All the team members have continued their work with the organization. Two are working to start a VOICE chapter on campus, and Nguyen now serves as VOICE’s director of media, marketing and advertising.

At the same time he was putting his project management and marketing skills to work for VOICE, Nguyen made a decision that would engage a different skill set and move his long-term career path in another direction. When LR introduced the cybersecurity major in the fall of 2022, Nguyen decided to complete an additional year to fulfill the requirements.

“I don’t want to close any doors. Cybersecurity is an area I feel confident about. I started doing some work with ethical hacking in my freshman year — working with companies to help find the weaknesses in their systems. I didn’t know at the time that was a big part of cybersecurity. The other half is knowing how to fix those weaknesses.”

Nguyen has learned as much from his own readings and explorations as he has from his professors, which he sees as the point of education.

“I entrust myself. I impact myself. Your professors are there to guide you, to give you help when you need it, but the real work happens with yourself — be disciplined, be humble, and keep your confidence high.”