The Thunder Bolt

Matilda Le, A member of Concordia International School Hanoi’s Class of 2022, spent three pivotal years at Concordia building the academic rigor and personal resilience that would lead her to Northwestern University. Now a Senior double-majoring in Communications and Economics at Northwestern, Matilda is not just preparing for graduation this June. She is preparing to launch her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers New York office, a milestone that marks the culmination of a transformative Undergraduate chapter and the start of a high-powered career in the world’s financial epicenter. This evolution reflects the strong foundation she built right here at Concordia.

Matilda’s path to a prestigious internship at PwC began early in her college career when she applied for a specialized women’s diversity program during her sophomore year. After "spreading her resume everywhere," she secured an interview for a Junior summer internship. A week after her interview, Matilda received an offer that included an invitation to a diversity summit in Arizona. There, she joined hundreds of other women from across the country who had also been selected for internships at various PwC branches. This experience allowed her to build a network of peers before officially starting her internship last summer.

During her internship, Matilda worked within a specialized practice known as Private Equity Value Creation. Matilda performed a deep dive into the company’s procurement operations, comparing the prices they paid for raw materials against competitor data. By identifying whether these costs were on par with the market, she provided the private equity firm with critical insights into how they could create "synergy" and improve operational efficiency after the purchase. Matilda found the process of uncovering these business insights to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the job.

The most significant lesson Matilda took away from this internship was the importance of self-advocacy and initiative. Working in PwC’s New York office, which is the firm's largest in the United States, she quickly realized that in such a massive environment, one cannot wait for instructions. She learned that if tasks weren't explicitly assigned, it was her responsibility to reach out to supervisors and find ways to add value. Encouraged by her supervisor, she moved past the fear that her voice didn't "hold weight" and began to speak up in high-level meetings. She realized that because she was the one doing the deep-dive work, her insights were not only valid, but highly valued by the team. 

While the work itself was rewarding, Matilda highlights that her favorite part of the summer was the chance to live and breathe the energy of New York City. Although she had visited before, having the opportunity to live in the city was a highlight, especially since she was able to share the experience with one of her best friends, who is also a fellow Concordia alumna. 

Looking ahead to the next chapter of her career, Matilda has accepted a full-time offer to return to PwC in New York City. She will join the firm as an Associate in Private Equity Valuation, a role that will allow her to continue the specialized work she began during her summer internship. This transition from intern to full-time associate marks a significant milestone in her professional journey, solidifying her place within one of the world’s most influential companies. For Matilda, the internship served as the ultimate validation of a career path she had long envisioned. While the work was challenging, she found that it pushed her out of her comfort zone in a productive way that made her realize how much she truly enjoyed the nature of the profession.

Reflecting on her time at Concordia, Matilda identifies self-advocacy as a defining theme that has bridged her High School years and her professional life. This skill proved essential during her college application process, where she learned the importance of presenting an authentic version of herself and pouring her own unique ideas into her essays. 

Transitioning from the tight-knit community of Concordia to a massive university campus requires a shift in mindset, and Matilda’s primary advice for current students is to proactively "put yourself out there." She notes that while opportunities at Concordia often feel easily accessible and within reach, college requires a much higher level of initiative. In a larger pond, clubs and career milestones are rarely handed out; they must be actively sought out and applied for. Matilda emphasizes the importance of branching out early. For Matilda, this willingness to step into the unknown was the key to turning a daunting transition into a series of professional and personal triumphs.

Adjusting to life in the United States was a significant transition for Matilda, as she found the environment very different from her home in Vietnam. While the initial move required a period of adjustment, she found a vital support system by joining the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). Connecting with peers who were also far from home allowed her to build a strong sense of community, which effectively helped her navigate homesickness. This foundation of support allowed her to fully embrace her university experience and truly enjoy her time in the U.S..

From an academic standpoint, Matilda credits Concordia’s rigorous curriculum with giving her a significant head start at Northwestern. The Advanced Placement (AP) courses she completed in High School were directly transferable to her university degree. These credits allowed her to bypass many of Northwestern’s general education distribution requirements, effectively enabling her to complete her graduation credits several quarters ahead of schedule. Matilda also found that the "university-level" learning style at Concordia prepared her for the fast-paced demands of college. She developed the essential soft skills of organization and workload management, which proved vital when balancing a double major. Since she was already accustomed to active classroom engagement and collaborative discussion, the transition to high-level college academics felt like a natural progression rather than a daunting hurdle.

Matilda attributes much of her success to the dedicated mentors and tight-knit community at Concordia. At the forefront of her journey was Mr. Compton, whose guidance was instrumental in her decision to apply to Northwestern. By connecting her with alumni and the right resources, he helped her navigate the Early Decision process with confidence. She also highlights the impact of staff members like Ms. Bac, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Monica, noting that their constant availability and support enriched her high school experience, always being "just an email away" whenever she needed assistance.

Beyond the faculty, Matilda’s growth was shaped by the lasting connections she made with her peers. While some of her teachers have since moved on from Concordia, the influence of their instruction and the supportive environment they created stayed with her. These relationships provided a foundation of encouragement that helped her transition from a high school student in Vietnam to a driven professional in the United States. If Matilda could go back to her high school self, she admits that time "flies by" and that she wishes she had focused more on soaking in the unique experiences of this time in her life, while she was still in the middle of it.

On the academic side, her advice is practical: don't let senioritis stop you from studying for AP exams. While it is tempting to relax once graduation is in sight, Matilda is incredibly grateful that she pushed through to earn those credits. By putting in that final effort at Concordia, she was able to significantly lighten her workload at Northwestern, giving her the flexibility to pursue her double major and study abroad without the stress of extra general education requirements.

Matilda’s final piece of advice for students is to never underestimate the power of the Concordia network. Her interest in the corporate world was first sparked years ago when, as a student journalist, she interviewed a Concordia alumna who was just beginning a career at PwC. Although it was a simple conversation at the time, Matilda carried that insight with her throughout her studies. When she eventually set her sights on a role at the same firm, she reached out to that alumna for a coffee meeting to better understand the realities of the position.

As Matilda prepares to trade the Northwestern campus for the fast-paced energy of New York City this August, her journey stands as a testament to the power of combining a strong academic foundation with the courage to advocate for oneself. From the classroom discussions in Hanoi to the high-stakes boardrooms of Manhattan, Matilda’s story reminds us that with the right preparation and a willingness to "put yourself out there," there truly are no limits. We look forward to seeing the impact she makes as she begins this exciting new chapter at PwC, carrying the spirit of the Concordia community with her every step of the way.

Click here to learn more about Concordia Hanoi's Alumni.