Nguyen Tung Lam: Pursuing an MBA is not just about gaining knowledge – it’s my way of preparing for bigger career challenges

Nguyen Tung Lam: Pursuing an MBA is not just about gaining knowledge – it’s my way of preparing for bigger career challenges

Nguyen Tung Lam once put his MBA dream on hold due to the pandemic. Years later, with sharpened experience and bold ambitions, he returned to RMIT, ready to turn the MBA into a launchpad for greater career challenges ahead.

Nguyen Tung Lam, now a senior officer at Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, has returned to RMIT with a completely different mindset compared to when he first graduated from university.

“This is the perfect time for me to pursue an MBA. I have real work experience, which makes the MBA journey completely different. When you have handled real situations, you learn not just to know but to do better, to apply more practically,” Lam shares.

Learning by doing

Lam shares that his return to RMIT is far more valuable because the MBA program is highly practical. Each subject is tied to real business problems. Students don’t sit through one-way lectures but constantly engage in discussions, critiques, and share their own perspectives.

“I deeply appreciate RMIT's practical and modern learning approach, where subjects enable me to see the connection between the classroom and work,” Lam says.

Weekend intensive studies help him maintain a full-time job while ensuring the quality of his education.

“Balancing work, study and life has never been easy, but pursuing an MBA has taught me planning and time management. These self-management skills are what I will need as my career progresses,” Lam enthusiastically shares.

Among the courses, Lam finds Business Consulting most impactful. This subject gives him insight into how top consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG approach business issues through using structured frameworks.

“I learned how to break down problems, build strategies and present clearly. I've already started applying these skills at work - they’ve boosted my confidence when handling significant requests from leadership.”  

Nguyen Tung Lam, MBA student

Broadening perspectives and networks - the greatest value of the MBA program

For Lam and many other MBA students, RMIT lecturers are true companions. He is particularly impressed by Dr Santiago Velasquez - a lecturer with a professional, modern and inspiring style. Outside of class, Dr Velasquez organises networking sessions to gather student feedback and share study and career experiences.

“I learned a lot from his way of presenting problems, interacting with the class and analysing case studies - all of which helped improve my presentation and problem-solving skills.”

Working in finance, Nguyen Tung Lam appreciates the diversity of his classmates' professions. The group discussions are not only effective but also provide deeper insights into the broader economic landscape, revealing new investment opportunities.

“My classmates at RMIT are incomparable - from their backgrounds, experiences to their teamwork quality. I've learned immensely from my peers, from work styles to problem-solving effectively.”

Having studied abroad at RMIT Melbourne as an undergad student, Lam cherishes the opportunity to take some courses at the South Saigon campus. For him, studying at two campuses not only broadens perspectives but also creates a multidimensional learning journey - from knowledge to culture and networking. 

Addressing those interested in pursuing a master's degree, Tung Lam shares: “Prepare well - financially, health-wise, and in time management - for an effective learning journey. If you've decided to pursue this, invest in your studies and relationships - these are the long-term values the program offers.”

Find out more about our Master's programs
14 August 2025

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