Mai Nguyen Do
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA USA
"There’s no one way to get to anywhere."
Career Roadmap
Mai's work combines: Education, Politics, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
History
College of the Canyons
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
Washington College
Graduate Degree
Political Science
University of California, Riverside
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in a working-class Vietnamese refugee family, navigating the challenges of race, class, and limited social capital.
2.
Despite struggling academically in high school, I pursued my education with resilience, earning an associate's degree early.
3.
Rejected by all UC campuses, I leaned on community college and affordability to continue my journey.
4.
I explored topics of power, identity, and governance, driven by my family's experiences with immigration and poverty.
5.
I attended Washington College and focused on political science, a subject that finally aligned with my passions.
6.
On a whim, I applied to UC Riverside's political science Ph.D. program and found a home studying issues dear to my heart.
7.
Juggling work and studies, I’m embracing dual roles as a researcher and educator, connecting academia to community change.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I come from an Asian refugee family and often felt othered by my peers in the affluent conservative community I grew up in.
In my higher education journey, there's rarely been a time where I wasn't working at least two jobs while going to school. I love academia but I'm not always able to focus completely on it because I have to supplement myself through other work.