Communication, mentorship and English key to success in tech

Communication, mentorship and English key to success in tech

RMIT Vietnam alumni offered students sage advice about entering the technology job market at a recent panel discussion during the University’s Career Week.

The panellists included Le Chinh Nhan, a software engineer at Silicon Straits Saigon; Vo Phuoc Hau, an industrial engineer at Nike; and Vo Quoc Viet, a process and equipment engineer at Intel.

After discussing their experiences in the tech industry, the three alumni offered a number of helpful tips to students striving to enter the sector after graduation.

Nhan shared a few of the important skills which he learned at RMIT Vietnam that have helped him in his work.

“Communication is very important in the workplace because you have to convince people almost every day; you have to give your opinions in such a way that it doesn’t hurt people’s egos,” he said.

Hau, for his part, stressed the benefits of finding a mentor at the start of one’s career.

“One of the most important things that I wish I could have had in the past is a mentor,” he said, before adding “for your first job, just look for a good boss if you can find him or her.”

“If you have a mentor, they can give you give advice and feedback, and this can boost your career in the long-term.”

From left to right: Pham Chi Thanh, Lecturer from Centre of Technology; Le Chinh Nhan of Silicon Straits Saigon; Vo Phuoc Hau of Nike; and Vo Quoc Viet of Intel take part in a Q&A session with students. From left to right: Pham Chi Thanh, Lecturer from Centre of Technology; Le Chinh Nhan of Silicon Straits Saigon; Vo Phuoc Hau of Nike; and Vo Quoc Viet of Intel take part in a Q&A session with students.

All three panellists emphasised the need for graduates to maintain their English abilities, as this will pay off throughout their careers.

“English is your advantage if you work in an international work environment,” Nhan asserted.

“But if you work for a Vietnamese company, your English will probably degrade.

“Read books, spend time in English-speaking coffee shops and practice your speaking – do not lose your English skills.”

According to Quach Thu Trang, Alumni and Industry Relations Officer at RMIT Vietnam’s Hanoi City campus, such events are in line with the University’s strategic goals towards 2020: to prepare students to be Ready for Life and Work.

“Opportunities like this bring alumni back to the university, make them proud graduates who share words of wisdom, and engage them more strongly with their alma mater,” she said via email.

More than 80 students attended the panel discussion.

Career Week is one of the University’s many activities, events and programs throughout the year to help students achieve successful entry into the workforce.

Story: Michael Tatarski

16 September 2016

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