The ASA Newsletter: Issue 34
Happy April! This month, Asian Student Achievement (ASA) crossed a big milestone – the Nickel Nickel fundraiser party. We loved being able to see our supporters, new and old, in person and give back to those who made it possible for us to get this far. Take a moment to reflect with us on everything we’ve accomplished and plan to do in the future.
Coach Corner: Shan Pin Koh
Shan Pin Koh is a Senior Architect at Dow Chemical and a coach for Asian Student Achievement’s (ASA) free coaching program. He sat down with us to chat about why he coaches and the skills he wants to share with young professionals.
Shan Pin Koh
Senior Architect at Dow Chemical
Why did you decide to be a coach for ASA?
I decided to be a coach for ASA because I remember how uncertain the early years of my career felt, and how much I wished someone had taken the time to guide me. I learned a lot through trial and error: about careers, relationships, and learning how to get your work noticed.
What is a skill set that you recommend young professionals acquire before entering the workforce?
I want to spare others some of that guesswork. One skill I really hope young professionals focus on is creativity. To me, creativity is about how you think when there isn’t a clear answer, when things are constrained, or when the situation is uncomfortable. That kind of thinking shows up everywhere from solving technical problems, to handling conflict, to figuring out how to use tools like AI in meaningful ways.
Back to ASA: MJ Lumbera
MJ Lumbera is a junior at Purdue University and a former intern for Asian Student Achievement (ASA). He sat down with us to share his takeaways from the internship and his advice for other students searching for opportunities.
Student at Purdue University
Tell us a bit about what you’re doing now.
I am a junior at Purdue University studying Computer and Data Science. Lately I’ve been studying a lot more data science and machine learning. In the summer I will be interning at Walmart! I have also been making a lot of music (@yomjmusic, shameless plug).
What did you work on during your ASA internship?
My time at ASA was real and involved. I was a Tech and Content Writing Intern and I worked mainly on the website and newsletter. Iterating and communicating about website design as well as practicing initiative with writing and reaching out to people for interviews. I attended meetings weekly and felt truly responsible for my work.
What was the greatest takeaway from your ASA internship?
What you give is what you get. This turned out to be true at every following internship I worked at as well. It is in your hands to do your work and do it well (“well” meaning: “the best that you can”. There is no pressure. Ask questions ALWAYS!). And when you finish the work, to communicate and seek out more. How much is up to you.
What advice do you have for students trying to land their first internship or interviewing for their first full-time job?
The first is the hardest, I will say. But I would say be flexible. Reach out to the people in your life that you barely know, but you could learn from (as well as connect through :D). The power of weak ties is real, strong, and life-changing. You would be surprised how much people want to help you. They’ve been in your shoes.
If there’s anything else you’d like to mention, feel free to say it here!
Enjoy the ride. You have nothing else but the present, so make the most of Now and don’t stress too much! Easier said than done. Everything you will ever need is Now. For fun, career, and much more. And make mistakes. It’s awesome.
Thank You for Coming to Nickel Nickel!
Asian Student Achievement (ASA) was thrilled to host our first 2026 Nickel Nickel Fundraiser. The evening was filled with great food, karaoke, and meaningful networking.
Thank you to all our donors and attendees for supporting our mission—your generosity helps Asian and Asian American students and early-career professionals build essential skills and grow into leadership roles. Save the date for next year’s Nickel Nickel ASA Fundraiser: Saturday, April 10, 2027.
Welcome Back to the Team!
We are excited to welcome back Abhaya Ladalla, a graduate student at the University of North Texas pursuing her M.S. in Information Science, as a Data Analytics Intern!
Why did you decide to return to intern with Asian Student Achievement?
Abhaya: “I decided to come back to ASA due to the friendly and cooperative atmosphere that really cares about both professional and personal development. My last experience here was so positive, and I enjoyed the chance to make a significant contribution and continue learning. It was not hard to make a comeback to ASA because of its excellence and people-centered culture. I am looking forward to reuniting with the team and furthering the work we have begun.”
We Are Hiring!
Asian Student Achievement is hiring for ALL of our intern positions, but we’d especially like to hear from you if you’re interested in Administrative Assistant, Content/Grant Writing, or Graphic Design roles.
Click the button below to find the job descriptions of all our intern positions. Please send CVs or resumes to ops@learnasa.org.
Our Team: Ava Anota
Ava Anota is a high school student from Charlotte, North Carolina, and an Operations Intern for Asian Student Achievement. We sat down with her to hear about the benefits of her ASA internship.
What are some rewards of being able to work with ASA as an Operations Intern?
Working with ASA gives me real job experience and helps me learn useful tools. It also helps me build confidence, improve my work habits, and understand how daily work runs while meeting new people.
What are some skills that you’ve learned as an Operations Intern that you see yourself carrying over to your future career?
I learned how to manage my time, stay organized, and work with others. I also learned how to use tools like Google Sheets, Slack, and email while keeping track of tasks and working on my own.
Event Recap
Asian Student Achievement (ASA) extends our heartfelt thanks to the University of Illinois (UIC) at Chicago Greeks of the Pan-Asian American Council (GPAAC) for hosting our CEO, Shane Carlin, for the Network Like You Want Dinner Tonight workshop.
Thank you to Dr. Jean So and family for empowering ASA to expand our reach through speaking engagements and events.
Thank you to the University of Illinois (UIC) Graduate Student Council (GSC) for hosting Asian Student Achievement (ASA) CEO Shane Carlin for the Learn Public Speaking from a TEDx Speaker workshop!
Thank you to Dr. Jean So and family for empowering ASA to expand our reach through speaking engagements and events.
Upcoming Event
An Evening With Bestselling Author Rachel Khong
Come join the National Association for Asian Americans Professionals (NAAAP) on Wednesday, May 27 for a virtual conversation with Rachel Khong, the author of the New York Times bestseller “Real Americans”, as we discuss her new short story collection “My Dear You”. Early registrants will receive a link in their registration e-mail to enter a free giveaway for the book.
Playful, profane, and yet enveloped with profound compassion for life, however you define it, My Dear You takes on dating, marriage, and the pressures of having or not having children; intimacy, memory, race, and capitalism; living, dying, and being dead. At their very core, they are tales of love in its many forms.
The discussion offers a unique opportunity to chat about the book with the author herself, learn more about her writing process, and explore themes related to the Asian-American experience. All are welcome to attend, regardless of how much of the book you finished!
Engage with ASA
Sign up for 1:1 Coaching
ASA is excited to launch our coaching program! We have carefully selected coaches from various industries to speak with YOU.
Intern with Us!
Asian Student Achievement is now hiring for all intern positions! Join our team and help support Asians and Asian Americans on their path to leadership in the workplace.
Let’s Meet Up!
Want to invite us to your campus or organization? Visit our speaking engagement page to learn more.
ASA Donor Spotlight: Leon Chang
Why do you give to Asian Student Achievement?
Senior Director at Accordion
| Leon Chang: “I am proud to support Asian Student Achievement (ASA) because it represents the kind of resource I wish had been more visible and accessible during my academic journey. ASA is creating pathways for students to gain exposure, mentorship, and community early in their careers. Supporting ASA is my way of paying it forward – helping ensure future generations have access to opportunities and support systems that can meaningfully shape their trajectory.” |
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month and Elizabeth Skoien’s Legacy
This May, Asian Student Achievement (ASA) will celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month as we honor the legacy of Elizabeth Lorraine Skoien, a young woman who took her life too soon, and the challenges she faced. The ASA team has compiled mental health resources from Asian and Asian American perspectives on our website, and hopes to encourage more dialogue around the pivotal role mental health plays. Keep an eye out for an in-depth blog coming out soon about Elizabeth’s life and her father’s commitment to spreading mental health awareness, as well as more blogs and resources throughout the rest of the year.
Between Two Worlds: How Bao Nguyen Wrote His Own Script
The latest Asian Student Achievement (ASA) blog is up! This time, we interviewed award-winning filmmaker Bao Nguyen, director of BTS: The Return, Be Water, The Greatest Night in Pop, and more. Bao shares stories from his childhood, his pivot from law to film, and his relationship with his Asian American heritage.
Give to ASA This May
Asian Student Achievement (ASA) will be celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) with One Month for ASA! All gifts given in May will be generously matched by the Wesselink Family Foundation and Mr. Leon Chang.
Let’s Meet Up!
Want to invite us to your campus or your organization? Check out our speaking engagement page below for more details!
Together with Our Partners
We are deeply grateful to our partners for their ongoing collaboration and support. Together, we are creating meaningful impact.
Settle into Asian inspired scents to light up your home. Use code ASA10 to save 10% off your order.
ASA x Furever Young Co collaboration pet bandanas are the perfect accessory for your pet. Shop the ASA collection!
Start your mornings with specialty Filipino coffee. Use code ASA10 to save 10% off your order.
Job Postings
Looking for a job, or hoping to hire someone? Check out our job board to stay updated on the latest job postings.
