29 Oct Lambda Lore: Jaydon Nguyen
In this edition of Lambda Lore, we feature Jaydon Nguyen from the Zeta Chapter at the University of Texas at Austin (FA ’21). From Treasurer to Pledge Captain, Jaydon poured his heart into building brotherhood and leadership within his chapter. Now a civil engineer in Houston, he credits Lambda for helping him break out of his shell, build confidence, and develop lifelong friendships. His advice? “Keep your doors open. I came into college skeptical about fraternities, but joining Lambda changed my life.” Read his full story below:
Can you tell us about your experience in your fraternity during college? What were some of the highlights and challenges?
I picked up a lot of board roles and was very involved. I spent a lot of time with the brothers and with the Brotherhood. We did a lot of philanthropy and community service, and we also held social events with other organizations. It was fun getting to know people while building that bond with my brothers. The more time you spend together, the more you grow those lasting connections. Many of my closest friends came from the fraternity, and I still talk to them every day, even after graduation. That has had a huge impact on my life, and I’m very thankful for them and for the Brotherhood.
During my time there, I lived in the fraternity house, stayed very active, and served on the Executive Board. I was Treasurer one year, Secretary another, and then PC during my final semester at UT. That role was one of the most challenging times for me. I had seen the new member process many times, so I was familiar with it, but it’s different when it’s your responsibility. You’re coordinating with people who all have different schedules, managing both the new members and the active house, and it takes a lot of coordination. In the end, though, it worked out, and crossing a class became one of my proudest moments in Lambdas.
How do you think being a part of Greek life contributed to your personal and professional development during college?
Greek life helped me grow socially. I was pretty introverted coming in, but joining the fraternity pushed me to break out of my shell, meet people, and build connections. That’s where I really developed my communication skills, which have helped me a lot in my career. No matter where you work, you’re meeting new people, building connections with your team, and learning how to bond with different personalities. The fraternity helped me practice that early on.
For hard skills, I’m a civil engineer, and there were two older brothers in the fraternity who were also civil engineering majors. They helped me prepare for interviews and refine my resume. One older brother, Tyler, helped me especially when I was struggling to land an internship. He reviewed my resume, gave me interview tips, and thanks to him I landed my first internship that summer and another the following year. Older brothers really supported me in developing the skills I needed to launch my career.
What specific skills or values do you feel you gained from your involvement with the fraternity?
Accountability and leadership stand out the most. Within the fraternity, you’re not only holding yourself accountable but also each other. That sense of responsibility is important because you’re upholding a reputation. The same principle applies in the workplace: you represent your company, and you’re accountable to your coworkers and team.
In what ways did your fraternity help you build a network of connections both during and after college?
One of the older brothers who helped me land my internship also ended up helping me secure the job I have today. Through Lambdas, I’ve built a strong network. Even brothers in different career fields are people I can reach out to and learn from, especially when it comes to the job market.
How has being a member of your fraternity influenced your career path or choices post-graduation?
I always knew I wanted to pursue civil engineering, so I stuck with it. Some of my peers switched into software engineering, and I’ve seen brothers successfully make that transition, but it wasn’t for me. Lambda didn’t change my career path, but it strengthened it by giving me guidance, mentorship, and support to move forward confidently.
Can you share any experiences or lessons learned from your involvement in Greek life that have been particularly valuable?
I think every moment has been valuable, but one lesson that stands out is how essential good teamwork is. Whether in work or in my personal life, I’m almost always collaborating with others. Success depends on having a strong connection with your team, and if you’re not aligned, things won’t go well.
Reflecting on your time in your fraternity, what advice would you give to current college students considering joining Greek life?
I think everyone should give it a shot. Don’t keep your doors closed. I came into college with a negative perception of fraternities and sororities, but joining changed my life. I’m glad I did, because now I have friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
Could you describe how you kept in touch with your brothers after college?
One brother who comes to mind moved to Florida for work, so it’s harder to see him in person. We try to FaceTime at least once a month to check in since we were pledge brothers and have shared so much. With other brothers in Texas, we’ll travel to Houston or Dallas to spend a weekend together. We make it a point to celebrate big life events like housewarmings or engagements. Even small things like fantasy football or basketball leagues keep us connected. It’s really about making the effort not to lose touch, because college was such a big part of our lives and those friendships are worth holding onto.
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About Lambda Phi Epsilon
Founded in 1981 at Los Angeles, California, Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc. has grown to become the world’s largest Asian-interest fraternity. Lambda Phi Epsilon (ΛΦΕ, also known as LFE) aims to guide men on a lifelong discovery of authenticity and personal growth. To learn more, visit https://lambdaphiepsilon.com.
Lambda Phi Epsilon Contact
David Kim, President
Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc.
david.kim@lambdaphiepsilon.org
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