Helly Nguyen

I began my ALM degree while working full time, with the goal of deepening my business knowledge without pausing my career. I’ve always been a fan of online learning, which allows me to gain new skills from anywhere and manage my own study pace.

Most importantly, I didn’t want to step away from the job I had worked hard to earn, and Harvard Extension School turned out to be the perfect fit.

Each semester, I registered for two to three classes that met in the evenings. Outside of class, I spent significant time reading, completing assignments, and preparing for quizzes. Very quickly, my free time filled up. My friends became used to seeing me get home around 5 p.m., fit in some personal time and dinner within a few hours, then head into class from 8 p.m. until 1 or 2 a.m. Completing this degree in two years took serious commitment, excellent time management, some personal sacrifices, and a warrior spirit to push through the limits.

There is nothing impossible if you set your mind to it. I used to believe that earning a master’s degree at a reputable university meant putting my career on hold. But the reality was very different. During my time at Harvard Extension School, I earned a job promotion, moved from Norway to the Netherlands, changed homes three times, built a new network, and crossed milestone after milestone.

From the outside, it may have looked overwhelming. And, at times, it was. But once I took that first step and found the momentum, the rest fell into place. Along the way I met incredible people with strong determination. Juggling work, life, late-night classes, and coursework was often a mental battle.

But whenever I felt exhausted, I reminded myself: If a mom of four can do it, why can’t I? If a CEO running two companies can do it, why can’t I? I saw so many people with greater responsibilities succeed, which convinced me I could too.

That mindset has reshaped the way I view challenges. I now believe every goal is achievable, attainable, and possible.

Completing this degree made me realize I’m more capable than I ever imagined. I grew up in a middle-class household in Vietnam and didn’t start learning English until I was 12. Since high school, I had dreamed of studying abroad, but with limited resources, I focused on earning a bachelor’s degree from a national university and building my career.

Years later, even after moving to different countries and working hard in my profession, my passion for learning remained strong. That’s when I discovered Harvard Extension School. With its mission to provide affordable and accessible Harvard education to a diverse population, HES gave me the opportunity to finance my studies and finally pursue my long-held dream.

This journey gave me more than just an exceptional education. It brought me lifelong friendships and inspiring mentors. It has also reinforced a lesson I carry with me every day: to keep working hard and keep dreaming bigger so that I am ready when the next opportunity comes.

Enabler.