From hundreds of job rejections to Apple and Harvard admission: a Vietnamese tech professional’s journey

Anh, 28, originally from Bac Ninh, northern Vietnam, now works as a Privacy Policy Specialist at Apple. His work focuses on researching global regulations to ensure user privacy and data protection are built into the company’s products and services. He received his admission notice for a master’s program in computational science and engineering at Harvard University in November 2025.

"My journey has been long, marked by hundreds of rejections and many moments of self-doubt," he says. "This result is deeply meaningful. Sometimes, all you need is a single ‘yes’ amidst a sea of ‘no's’."

Anh is an alumnus of the Foreign Language Specialized School under Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In 2017, he moved to the U.S. after securing a full-tuition scholarship to Texas Christian University, where he majored in Information Technology. During the summer of his freshman year, he returned to Vietnam to intern at PwC’s technology risk management department. The experience strengthened his ambition to secure a professional internship in the U.S.

Tran Tung Anh, 28, works as a Privacy Policy Specialist at Apple and set to begin a master’s program in computational science and engineering at Harvard University at the end of January 2026. Photo coutersy of Anh

Back at university, he sent out nearly 100 applications a month over a six-month period before securing an internship at a U.S. cosmetics firm in 2019 and later joining Ernst & Young. When the Covid pandemic broke out that year, his parents urged him to return to Vietnam.

He chose to stay, deciding he would only return if he were laid off. At EY, Anh worked with major clients including Google and YouTube, gaining first-hand exposure to tech law and privacy policy. The experience reshaped his understanding of how technology products are built. He realized that technology rests on a foundation of policy, and that understanding legal frameworks is essential to creating products that are both functional and compliant with user rights.

After two years of specialized experience, he felt prepared to apply to major technology firms, including Apple. After he passed the initial screening at the U.S. tech giant, Anh was invited to a five-round interview process that stretched across two months.

The opportunity nearly slipped away before it began. The first interview invitation landed in his spam folder. It was only after a third follow-up email that he realized he had missed the messages. He contacted the recruiter immediately and was scheduled for an interview that same day. With little time to prepare, he reviewed his previous projects and professional experience, mapping them directly to Apple’s requirements.

While executive-level interviews were high-pressure, he found the final panel interview the most demanding. It tested his ability to collaborate and communicate with colleagues across different departments. He passed all rounds and officially joined Apple in February 2022.

Tran Tung Anh pictured with Apple's CEO Tim Cook. Photo courtesy of Anh

Beyond technical skills, he credits Apple’s work environment with sharpening his ability to think critically. "Before starting any project, you must know who to ask, what to ask, and where to begin," he says. "Asking the right questions identifies the core of the problem, which in turn drives the project forward efficiently."

In performance reviews, the Head of Content and Services Management within Apple’s Legal Department noted that Anh consistently met all expectations, citing his teamwork, communication skills, and ability to process complex information. Colleagues also praised his problem-solving ability, describing him as a "trusted leader" within the team.

Despite his professional progress, the rapid pace of innovation at Apple convinced Anh that further education was necessary. With new features and products launching each year, he decided to pursue a master’s degree to stay ahead of evolving global policies.

With more than five years of professional experience and strong recommendation letters from Apple, he found the Harvard application process manageable. In his Statement of Purpose, he avoided narrative-heavy storytelling and instead adopted a direct, professional approach.

He believes graduate applicants must address two questions: what they bring to the program, and what they need from it. He described his admissions interview as a discussion rather than an examination. Alongside presenting his study plans, he asked how the curriculum would support his specific career goals. "I believe one shouldn't be too reserved," he says. "Since you are investing in your education, you have the right to know if the school can meet your professional expectations."

Anh is set to begin his studies at the end of this month, with the program expected to last two years. He plans to focus on artificial intelligence, an area connected to several projects he is currently involved in at Apple. He also intends to deepen his expertise in the Apple Wallet ecosystem, particularly at the intersection of digital finance and residency regulations.

After nearly a decade in the U.S., Anh says persistence matters, and that rejection is a normal part of the international student experience. "As long as you are putting in your best effort, something good will eventually come your way."