Charles Nguyen

Charles is the co-founder of NetGovern, and currently leads product marketing strategy at Genetec. He also serves as Vice-President of the Association des Vietnamiens Québécois and spearheads major cultural initiatives like Chợ Đêm MTL.

Career questions with Charles

What do you love most about your work, and what inspired you to pursue this career in the first place? 

I’ve always been driven by the synergy between technical innovation and human connection. I value the opportunity to collaborate across the board, working closely with product R&D to understand the "how" while aligning with sales and marketing on the "why." This cross-functional perspective allows me to think strategically before we jump into tactics. It’s about making sure the innovation we build in the lab actually resonates with the people it's meant for.

Looking back, what skills have been the biggest gamechangers in your career? 

My double major in International Business and Finance instilled in me a commitment to rigorous research and analytical depth. In those fields, success depends on your ability to look past the surface and "find the truth" within complex data and global market trends. This skill has been a gamechanger throughout my career, ensuring that my strategic decisions are always anchored in verified facts and financial logic rather than just assumptions. 

How did Concordia prepare you for your career? 

The defining factor at the John Molson School of Business was learning from professors who were active professionals in their fields. Rather than focusing solely on textbooks, they brought real-life practical examples and current industry challenges into the classroom. This hands-on approach made the transition from theory to the workplace seamless, as I graduated with a business framework that was already tested by the realities of the market.

What is a standout memory from your time at Concordia? 

The true value of my time at Concordia was the chance to network with staff, faculty and students from such a vast array of backgrounds. That diversity taught me how to build bridges between different communities, a skill that has been central to both my professional career and my work with Montreal’s cultural festivals. 

If you could give your younger self one powerful piece of advice, what would it be? 

I would tell myself that "fast is slow and slow is fast." In your career, it is easy to rush to get things done, but moving too quickly often leads to overlooked details and missed opportunities. True progress comes from taking the time to go all in — doing the deep, intentional work instead of just skimming the surface. When you slow down to build a solid foundation and fully commit to the process, you actually reach your goals more effectively and sustainably. 

What’s the most exciting shift happening in your industry right now? 

The most significant shift is the advent of AI in physical and cybersecurity, which is driving unprecedented advancements in productivity and automation. However, while these tools can process data on an incredible scale, they lack the nuanced judgment of a human expert. I believe the future of the industry lies in learning how to adopt AI without becoming AI; we must leverage these tools to handle the heavy lifting while maintaining a human element to oversee and verify the results. It’s about enhancing our capabilities with technology while preserving the intuition and ethics that only people can provide. 

Feeling inspired?

• Participate in immersive case competitions to develop business solutions across disciplines.  
• Attend the John Molson Career Fair to network with employers from different industries. 
• Experiment with new tech and learn how to apply them to support your goals and future opportunities through FutureBound’s digital capabilities workshops.
• Check in with Career Management Services (CMS) to prepare for your job search.