Vy is currently a third-year Business Administration student at UC Irvine with a strong interest in entrepreneurship and sustainability. As a student passionate about innovative business solutions, she has participated in initiatives that promote sustainable business practices on campus.
As the ANTrepreneur Center continues to make strides toward sustainability, it seeks to highlight students who are actively engaging with sustainability-focused initiatives. One such initiative is the ESG Case Study Competition, which challenges students to analyze and develop strategies for real-world environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in business. Vy recently took part in the competition, gaining valuable insights into how sustainability can be integrated into business strategies.
In this interview, she shares her experience with the competition, discusses the importance of ESG principles, and offers advice for students looking to make an impact through entrepreneurship.
Brian: Hi Vy! Thank you for your time today. Could you tell me more about In The Green?
Vy: In The Green is an on-campus organization that aims to educate members about sustainability and help them become more conscious consumers in the business world. For me, once I became president, I wanted to focus on another important mission: showing students the different career paths available in sustainability. Sustainability can feel like such a broad topic that it’s hard to envision how it connects to specific jobs. There aren’t many conversations about sustainability-related careers, so I’ve been trying to bring in as many resources as possible to show students that even if they’re interested in fields like accounting or other business roles, they can still pursue opportunities connected to sustainability.
Brian: What inspired you to join In The Green in the first place?
Vy: I joined In The Green during my second year as the VP of External Affairs. At that time, I didn’t know much about sustainability or how it relates to business. My first year was focused entirely on joining business-oriented clubs, and I didn’t make an effort to diversify my involvement on campus. That’s when I decided to join something that would not only broaden my perspective but also align with my focus on accounting and finance. In The Green was perfect for that. I didn’t want my college involvement to be entirely about business—I wanted to do something meaningful and unique. Additionally, I wanted leadership experience. In The Green is a smaller club compared to other business organizations, so I saw an opportunity to work more freely and establish something new. I enjoy building and creating, rather than just following existing rules.
Brian: What skills have you gained through your experience with In The Green?
Vy: I would divide the skillsI’ve gained into three main areas:
- Leadership:
As VP of External Affairs, my leadership responsibilities were smaller and mainly involved managing interns and delegating tasks to other board members. However, observing how the former president led the club motivated me to apply for the president position. I wanted to grow In The Green and implement new ideas to improve the organization. Since becoming president, I’ve practiced skills like voicing my opinions, listening to others, and taking on responsibilities. Being in a leadership role also means representing the club and ensuring its success. It’s a big shift from being a regular member who can pick and choose events to attend. - Communication:
Communication has been critical. Whether it’s through group chats or in-person meetings, I’ve had to effectively convey ideas and coordinate with others. For example, when you joined our club, you probably noticed the group chats, and there will soon be a case study competition chat as well. These interactions have helped me improve my communication skills significantly. I used to be very introverted and hesitant to speak up during meetings, but with practice, I’ve become much more confident. - Event Planning and Risk Management:
Through events like the ESG Case Study Competition and our general meetings, I’ve learned to plan ahead and assess risks. Our planning process often starts in the summer to ensure we’re well-prepared and have backup plans in place. Evaluating potential challenges and benefits has been an essential skill I’ve developed throughout my journey.
Brian: Now, I would like to pivot from In The Green into entrepreneurship. What is your background in entrepreneurship?
Vy: This question excites me because I don’t see myself fitting into a traditional corporate environment. I’ve known since high school that I wanted to pursue entrepreneurship. I ran a business during my sophomore year in Vietnam, where I’m from. It was an online business, but we also sold at live fairs and online marketplaces.
At that time, we were one of the first vendors in Vietnam to adopt that model, and we managed to grow a following of over 30,000 on Instagram. It was a great learning experience, as I wore many hats and handled multiple responsibilities. That’s when I realized I enjoyed the freedom and challenges of entrepreneurship andwanted to pursue it further in the future.
Brian: You recently organized the ITG x SEA ESG Case Study Competition. Can you share more about what the competition entails and how it has shaped your understanding of sustainability in business?
Vy: The ESG Case Study Competition is an event where we collaborate with RSM to give students hands-on experience solving real-world cases related to the ESG framework. ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and the competition challenges participants to create solutions to help companies become more sustainable.
The competition is open to allmajors and levels of knowledge about sustainability. Last year, we had participants from diverse fields like business, environmental science, and engineering. The theme was about helping a fast-food company achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Teams proposed creative strategies, and our judges emphasized creativity over technical expertise. What makes this competition unique is how beginner-friendly and inclusive it is. It’s designed to welcome everyone, regardless of their prior knowledge of ESG or sustainability.
Brian: How do you see the intersection of sustainability and business evolving in the future?
Vy: I think technological advancements will play a significant role in making businesses more sustainable. For example, during the ESG Case Study Competition, one team proposed using technology to help farmers measure their CO2 emissions, enabling them to monitor and reduce their environmental impact. Ideas like these show how technology can drive positive change.
Additionally, there’s growing awareness of the ESG framework, even among small businesses. For instance, sustainability doesn’t always have to mean planting trees or reducing carbon emissions—it can also involve changes to packaging, business models, or employee practices. I think this broader exposure to ESG is helping people understand that sustainability can be practical and achievable, even in small steps.
Brian: Finally, what advice would you give to students interested in sustainability or entrepreneurship?
Vy: For sustainability, my advice would be to take it one step at a time. Sustainability can feel overwhelming, especially with misconceptions like needing to completely transform your business or lifestyle. Start small—maybe by changing part of your packaging or optimizing one process. These small steps add up, especially for smaller organizations.
For entrepreneurship, I’d encourage students to take advantage of the resources available to them, like clubs, networking opportunities, and leadership positions. Building connections is invaluable because you never know how someone might help you in the future. I also recommend doing coffee chats with people whose careers align with your interests. Finally, focus on your own pace and don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone’s path is different, and the key is to take consistent steps forward.
Interested in sustainability and want to learn more about how business and environmental impact intersect? Follow In The Green on Instagram (@inthegreen.uci) or visit their website (https://inthegreenuci.org/)
Interested in learning more about creating sustainable business practices or want to keep up with emerging entrepreneurial trends? Then connect with the UCI ANTrepreneur Center for guidance, practical advice, and other resources.
Visit the ANTrepreneur Center website to learn more about programming, speaker series, Micro-Internships, funding, and more. You can also learn more about the Center’s collaborations with Blackstone LaunchPad, Tech Coast Angels, Tech Coast Venture Network, OC Startup Council, and SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship. Keep up with the Center’s latest news by following them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.