Senior marketing major lands prestigious job at Johnson & Johnson

By Melissa Mongi
Senior Staff Writer
April 18, 2007

Senior marketing major Vi Vu is professional and calm as she considers what has helped her achieve her goals at La Salle.

“I’m very lucky, but I also had to work hard,” she said.

Vu seems prepared for anything and is certainly ready to graduate from La Salle as her four years come to a close.

Twenty-two-year-old Vu has been offered the chance to work in the Marketing Leadership Development program sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. In this program, Vu will undertake the marketing of Tylenol.

Vu has worked with Johnson & Johnson as an intern since the summer of 2005. Hard work and helpful advisors have aided her in landing this dream job for young marketing majors.

“I will be gaining a great knowledge of the field through my job. It is a very diverse company, and I can move easily through different products. I’m getting a taste of both worlds,” Vu said.

She is anxious to work on other products and build her resume with experience and brands. At Johnson & Johnson, Vu will be working with McNeill Pharmaceuticals, who produce Tylenol, Motrin and Imodium. Vu is the first intern to work on marketing the pharmaceutical drug Concerta for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Vu’s hard work was recognized in the fall of 2006, when she received a part-time position with Johnson & Johnson.

Vu was informed of a two-year program called the Marketing Leadership Development program. She competed against Johnson & Johnson employees for a position designed for an undergraduate intern. After an interview with 10 managers, Vu was selected.

Vu got involved with Johnson & Johnson through INROADS, a nonprofit organization which helps minority high school and college students get into Fortune 500 companies.

Working with Johnson & Johnson, Vu balances a heavy course schedule. She was active on La Salle’s campus as a member of La Salle’s Organization of Caring for Kids (L.O.C.K), who work with different children’s programs throughout the area. Vu was also vice-president of American/Asian Students’ Intercultural Association (AASIA) for three years and stays as involved as possible.

“It’s always good to have leadership roles,” Vu said. “Do as much as you can, do well and don’t have too much on your plate. Companies want to see you have initiative.”

Vu puts herself through school and takes night classes to free her schedule for work at Johnson & Johnson.

“Monday through Friday I work hard and focus on school. Friday through Sunday I don’t do work. I need time to relax. On those days, it’s no school, just family and friends,” she said.

“Vi is a joyful woman,” said Dr. Marianne Gauss, M.B.A., a management professor at La Salle who has worked closely with Vu. “She is bright, hardworking and charming. Her sweet nature, though, hides a very capable and academically aggressive mind.”

Vu recognizes that her success is due to hard work and the people who have helped her along the way.

“My family has always been my support team,” Vu said. “I learned about hard work from my parents. I always remember to do well, and make them proud. I encourage students to talk to their professors, don’t be afraid of them. In the long run, they can help you really succeed and excel.”

mongim1@lasalle.edu