Tony Nguyen (BBA ‘23) is wandering the world with wonder in his heart and business on the brain.  

Nguyen is someone who believes in the philosophy: “work to live, don’t live to work.” After graduating from C. T. Bauer College of Business with degrees in accounting and management information systems, he took on a role as a Digital Trust & Privacy Analyst at Deloitte. 

However, beyond the life of business school alumnus and strategist, Nguyen is a foodie, international traveler and photographer.  

Raised in the era of social media influencers and YouTube creators, Nguyen dreamed of building a career around making content. So, he picked up a camera and started filming his life.  

“Growing up, I had a range of interests from cooking and making videos, to even dreaming of becoming a singer,” he said.  

In high school, he joined the photography club and from there, started his business called Nguyentography. He built his own website and marketed himself through word of mouth. From graduation photos to family portraits, Nguyentography grew to the point where he would be able to support himself through college.  

When it came time to pick a major, instead of pursuing a degree in the arts, he decided to dive into the world of business.  

“Coming from an immigrant household, I think there’s a stigma that parents want their children to grow up to be a doctor or an engineer,” Nguyen said. “My parents never pressured me to go into those fields, but they encouraged my sister and me to find careers that are stable and would be able to support the family.”  

At Bauer, Nguyen thrived by joining several student organizations and staying involved in the campus community. He regularly attended recruiting events, which helped him secure an internship at Deloitte that eventually led to a full-time position.  

As his career in business took off, he made sure not to neglect his personal passions. 

“I believe that work should help sponsor the lifestyle I want to live, but that doesn’t make up all of who I am,” Nguyen said. “I want to see the world, do things I enjoy and spend time with my family and friends.” 

Although his job is mainly data driven, Nguyen hasn’t found that he’s had to sacrifice the elements of his personality that have shaped who he is.  

“You can be analytical and creative,” he said. “It’s all about thinking outside the box. It may not directly involve photography or the arts, but it involves another form of creativity in terms of problem solving.” 

Nguyen has maintained his photography business, and he considers himself fortunate to not only support himself in his travels, but to take his family and loved ones on those adventures with him.  

He is motivated by his passions, and on the days when he is burnt out or stressed, he reminds himself that there is more to life than work.  

“If you have a vision for how you want to live your life, hold on to it, and don’t let anyone change that," he said. "Always stay true to yourself.”