Minh Tri Le

BSc (Hons) Sociology and Criminology with Applied Data Analysis 2016

What did you enjoy about your degree programme?

I enjoyed the data analysis and statistical aspect of my degree programme, which is highlighted in my degree title where I received the “Applied Data Analysis” Accreditation. The Accreditation was awarded to me by the University’s Q-Step centre, after taking and passing modules working with statistics and data analysis. I found the statistical aspect of my degree fascinating, specifically modules such as “Introduction to Terrorism Studies” and “Race and Politics.” Not only I found the subject matter of these modules relevant and interesting, it provided me with the skills to analyse vast amounts of data and to correctly make interpretations out of them.

Tell us about the award you have received. What does this award mean to you?

The Exeter Award is an award to recognise the work that the student has undertaken to increase his or her employability skills. The work includes time spent in workshops, work or volunteering experience and mock interview sessions. To me, the award means a path in the right direction to increase my employability skills. The award formally recognises the time, effort and initiative that I have taken to develop my transferable skills. Moreover, the award is a highlight on my CV. It is a reflection of my motivation, tenaciousness and drive to succeed.

What has been the highlight of your time at Exeter?

The highlight of my time at the University of Exeter is having been elected as Head of Conferences Committee Member in the Model United Nations Society. I was a member of the Society since my first year and have been an avid debater at Model United Nations Conferences since then. My time as a committee member is definitely a highlight. I enjoyed the responsibility, the work and the experience. My duty was to organise delegations to send to Conferences around the U.K. Through my role, I have travelled to parts of the U.K where I have come to meet wonderful, diverse and like-minded individuals. Additionally, I had more opportunity to bond with the members of the Society. With them, I made some of the best memories of my student experience.

What will you miss the most about university?

I will definitely miss the friends and colleagues that I have made during my 3 years in the University of Exeter. This includes those who I have met at social events, in my course, during my time as Student Ambassador and during my participation in Society events. I will especially miss the Model United Nations Society who introduced me to some of the most gifted, tenacious and talented individuals that I have ever met. I am proud to have worked alongside the members of the Society to see it transform to what it is now. I wish that I could have continued the journey. I am immensely astonished how the Society grew. Not just the Society’s structure and direction, but also the Society members who grew with and because of the Organisation that we built. I look forward to what the future brings to the Society under its new direction.

What advice would you give to current and future students?

My advice to current and future students is: by the end of your time as a student, make sure you have an abundance of stories to tell from your time as a student. This can only happen if you make an effort to put as much as you can in to get as much out of the University experience as possible. By the end of your time as a student, tell stories of the amazing time you had at University. Tell stories of the diverse friends and people (including lecturers!) you met and the adventures you took together. Tell stories of other people’s stories that you have met and learnt. Tell stories of the places you travelled to. Tell stories of what you learnt from your course at University. Tell stories of your experiences from your time at work or from volunteering and what you have learnt from these experiences. Go out and engage with the community and individuals of the University as much as possible

What are your plans now that you have graduated?

I am currently pursuing a career with the Civil Service Fast Stream. Currently I am working as a Fast Stream Summer Diversity Intern and hopefully that can transform into a graduate role in the Fast Stream. I enjoy my time working in the Civil Service. It is a place where I can amalgamate my passion of politics and policy-making into a professional career. Additionally, I am in progress of launching a Model United Nations Scholarship for the Model United Nations Society. Having seen the educational value and power of Model United Nations, I want to create a scholarship so that anybody will have the opportunity to have the experience that I had.