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By Jordan-Ashley Walker, APR

Cain Huynh is a PCAOB Scholar, president of Beta Alpha Psi and a graduate assistant for the accounting department. He is graduating with a Master of Science degree in Accounting this summer. He was also part of the Strome Tutors Empower Peer Success (STEPS Tutoring) for Accounting and Operation Management.

Tell us a little about your hometown and your childhood.
I grew up in Rach Gia, a beautiful town in southern Vietnam. I still have fond memories of my parents and me eating “Chè bưởi,” a Vietnamese pomelo sweet soup, outside of the run-down local amusement park after school. I remembered the weak plastic yellow chair and the low table that we would sit at. Every time I eat “Chè bưởi,” my mind flashes back to that memory. While I loved my childhood there, the town was small and there were limited opportunities for success. That's why my parents decided to move here to provide me the opportunity that they have not received. I am very grateful that my parents were willing to take that leap and move to America. They came to the United States not knowing the language and worked as nail technicians for the last 15 years to provide for our family. As such, I feel a deep obligation to strive toward success so that I can both provide for my family and set an example for future generations to come.

What made you choose ODU’s Master of Science in accounting program?
I selected ODU's MS program because of the faculty who mentored me and the organization I am a part of. I am currently serving as the President of Beta Alpha Psi, the national honor society for financial information students. ODU's Beta Alpha Psi had over 60 members and candidates in its prime before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to the pandemic, the number has significantly decreased. While others may see this as a sign of decline or the end, I view it as a challenge. In the role of president, I have encouraged my chapter to participate in various volunteer events with local animal shelters, Keep Norfolk Beautiful, Girl Scouts, and J&A Racing. In addition, we have assisted our faculties with the Fall and Spring Accounting Readiness Workshop, allowing members of the organizations to travel to Atlanta to present and compete against other organizations. As president, I have led the revitalization of my chapter to bring it back to stability, growing it from five members two years ago to 30 and achieving superior chapter status within the global Beta Alpha Psi organization. This experience has helped me develop leadership skills that no other university could have provided.

I hold the accounting faculty in high regard for all the knowledge they have imparted to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to their experiences and career stories. I have had many wonderful conversations with them, not only about accounting theory but also about life, dating, and fashion advice. ODU has some of the best accounting faculty members, with years of diverse experiences as CFOs, managing partner of CPA firms, business owners, and even an IRS agent. I find it praiseworthy that they have chosen to teach, and that's why I chose ODU for my MS program.

How did you get your internship(s)? And what advice do you have for other students who may be looking for internship opportunities?
Getting an internship is daunting when you have yet to have one or any experience in the field you are looking for. I remember the exact day that got the ball rolling for me to land an internship, and then receive a job offer after graduation. September 1, 2022, was the day when ODU hosted its Organization Fair, and I had an opportunity to meet an alumni of Beta Alpha Psi who graduated two years before. He got me interested in working for his firm so I applied and got an interview. Looking back on (how) I obtained my internship: by showing up at the right place at the right time and meeting the right person when I heard that one of the firms was giving out free Redbull!

But, the process of getting an internship is not that easy. The semester before I landed my internship, I applied to numerous companies. I got rejected by everyone because I sent in cold applications to all the jobs/internship openings I could find. Cold applications are when you apply for a job online without connection and references. It was tough getting rejected. I stayed persistent and determined to be more proactive on campus. I showed employers that I am more than a student.

My first piece of advice for students looking for internship opportunities is to start now. I noticed that getting your first internship is the hardest one, because you have zero experience and are facing other students who have the same objective. Companies are recruiting earlier and earlier every year. One of my Beta Alpha Psi members received a summer 2025 internship offered in January, which is over one year between receiving and starting an internship. It is never too early to network, so when you are qualified, you will know who to reach out to.

Additionally, a second piece of advice is to join an academic organization, which I found to be the best way to get an internship; it is not necessary for you to join mine unless you feel compelled to. Organizations such as mine have a record of gathering the best and brightest the university has to offer due to our value and expectation to focus on academic excellence and giving back to the community. Employers love to see students who are involved and active. Your involvement might be the difference maker into you getting an internship or not. It is not enough to maintain a 4.0 GPA; focusing purely on academics has a diminishing return. I am not saying that grades do not matter, but I am saying that it will be tougher if all you have (is) a 4.0 GPA and nothing else that makes you stand out from the crowd.

My final piece of advice is to show up and use all the resources available. Events such as job fairs and firms' open houses are among the best ways to meet employers. ODU hosts these events so that students can meet the potential employer, and they are there to meet you. Both of you have the same goal. Getting a job or internship as a student is comparably easier than waiting till you graduate to apply. ODU's Handshake and Career Development Services (CDS) are excellent resources available to all students for $0.

What advice would you give incoming freshman at ODU?
My advice for first-year students is to seek out opportunities to get involved in campus life. ODU has numerous organizations and clubs that are available for you to join. The benefit to being involved is that you get to meet so many amazing people on campus with common interests and goals. It is also one of the best ways to find friends. Looking back on my time here at ODU, I wish I had joined the chess club. I was a former president of the chess club at my high school and I missed the game and the community. 

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to study for the CPA exam and start my career at KPMG as an auditor. My goal is to be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company or a partner of a CPA firm.