Boat Baby Refugee to NBC

“Toan was a mutual friend, and when we finally met, he told me he was pursuing a career in television,” Nguyen said. “He laid out the path — what steps to take and where to start. It opened my eyes to a world I hadn’t considered.”

Inspired by Lam, she made a bold pivot, switching her major from biology to communications. USF provided the perfect launchpad, as she moved into an internship at KTVU, discovering a passion for asking questions, documenting history, and being a witness to the world.

It felt like a form of public service, I knew it would challenge me, and I’d never stop growing.”

As a national correspondent and anchor, Nguyen often reflects on the pressures and privileges that come with her role. Her composure has been tested countless times, especially at NBC News, where every story can reach millions.

One of the most challenging times in her career came during her early days in local news — working holidays, long hours, and questioning whether stability or family life would ever be possible.

“Every time I thought about quitting, I told myself to give it one more year,” she said. “And every time I did, a new opportunity emerged. I realized if I stayed the course and worked hard, good things would happen.”

Boat Baby

Perseverance is something Nguyen credits to her parents, who fled communist Vietnam by boat after the fall of Saigon, in search of a better life for their daughter.

Nguyen’s freshly released New York Times best-selling book, Boat Baby, tells the tale of her family’s journey, their courageous escape, the ups and downs of assimilating to life in America, and the difficulties of balancing motherhood and career. 

“I grew up loving books. To be an author was something that I always hoped for. I wanted to take people on the journey with me as a boat baby to NBC,” said Nguyen.

“It takes guts and resilience to do what my parents did, and as a journalist — where change is constant — I’m grateful they gave me those traits. My parents never complained about the trauma they endured. They focused on the present and always asked, ‘What can we do now?’ That mindset has shaped everything I do."

National Representation 

As an Asian American woman in a highly visible role, Nguyen is aware of the power of representation.

“There were moments, especially during the rise in anti-Asian attacks during the pandemic, when I had to ask: How much of my identity can I bring to work?” she said. “But I’ve learned that my perspective helps connect with viewers in a deeper way. One reason I took the job was to show that someone with a name like Nguyen could belong on a national stage.”

She’s proud of the messages she receives from viewers who see themselves in her, many saying they now aspire to become journalists themselves.

Looking ahead, Nguyen hopes to continue anchoring and reporting for as long as she can. She’s especially drawn to investigative journalism and stories that demand accountability from the public.

For USF students dreaming of a similar path, her advice is simple. “Do as many internships as you can. Shadow people in the roles you want. Don’t worry too much about the future. Just be the best version of yourself every day and show up willing to learn. We need journalists more than ever.”

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