How can young people transition to the world of work with confidence?

How can young people transition to the world of work with confidence?

With the right mindset and deliberate action, young people can transform their time at university into a launchpad for promising careers. Three graduates from the RMIT Class of 2024 talked about the key factors that contributed to their development as employable young professionals.

Acquire practical skills

Tran Mach So Han got a full-time job as a software engineer at a multinational IT company 10 months ago, long before her official graduation from university.

Passionate about coding since her last year of middle school, Han enrolled at RMIT with the goal of becoming a senior software engineer. During her studies, she completed an internship at Bosch Global Software Technologies and facilitated coding workshops for high school students. Han was also an active volunteer for university events and the President of the RMIT Neo Culture Tech Club.

The hard and soft skills that Han had gained throughout that journey boosted her confidence when applying for her current job, even though she had to go through two difficult rounds of interviews. During her job search, Han also used an automated CV review tool and one-on-one CV consultation provided by RMIT’s careers and employability services.

"I completed an internship which was equivalent to a three-month probation at my current company before becoming an official employee," Han said.

“I was able to continue my study while doing the internship. With the time management skills I gained while working toward deadlines at university and the support of my superiors, I completed my work well. I also gradually immersed myself in the corporate culture with the help of everyone around me.”

Tran Mach So Han received her Bachelor of Engineering (Software Engineering) (Honours) degree at the RMIT Graduation ceremony 2024. (Photo: RMIT) Tran Mach So Han received her Bachelor of Engineering (Software Engineering) (Honours) degree at the RMIT Graduation ceremony 2024. (Photo: RMIT)

According to a 2023 survey by RMIT, Han's study program, Bachelor of Engineering (Software Engineering) (Honours), recorded a 100% full-time employment rate among graduates within 3-4 months of completing the program.

Han said that her work employs many of the skills she acquired at university such as research and reading comprehension. Throughout the recruitment process and the actual job, she has applied a proactive mindset when it comes to asking questions or seeking help.

"Such a mindset was reiterated over and over again in the lectures and workshops I attended at university, so I always keep it in mind," Han said.

Accumulate diverse experiences

Graduating with distinction from the Tourism and Hospitality Management program, Pham Ngoc Bich Phuong has quickly found a job relevant to her field of study.

Earlier this year, the Hanoi native moved to Ho Chi Minh City to work for Marriott International (the operator behind many of the world's leading hotel brands) as a specialist in the Revenue Management Advisory Services - Vietnam and Cambodia team.

Phuong said that besides the various field trips that RMIT University organised, her internship experiences, study abroad year, and participation in competitions have helped her feel more confident in her job search.

Encouraged by her lecturers, Phuong and her teammates competed and won the Champion title in the Asia-Pacific round of an international market study competition organised by STR (Smith Travel Research). This prompted Phuong to study for two international certifications in analytics for the tourism and hospitality industry, CHIA and CAHTA.

Pham Ngoc Bich Phuong (fourth from left, back row) with colleagues at W Melbourne hotel during her internship in Australia. (Photo courtesy of Phuong) Pham Ngoc Bich Phuong (fourth from left, back row) with colleagues at W Melbourne hotel during her internship in Australia. (Photo courtesy of Phuong)

"As revenue management is a niche segment in hospitality, it’s rarely taught in depth in most universities. Therefore, the certifications helped me gain a competitive advantage when I applied for my current job,” Phuong said.

During her university studies, Phuong interned at Sun Group, the Restaurant Association of Vietnam, and W Melbourne Hotel in Australia.

Phuong said, “The cross-campus exchange in Melbourne was a cornerstone for me in both my personal and professional development. The program gave me the opportunity to live independently and gain international working experience, which aided me in the process of applying for a full-time job.”

Cultivate a positive attitude and growth mindset

For newly minted Professional Communication graduate Nguyen Hoang Son, his six-month cross-campus exchange to RMIT Australia was also a turning point in life, for during that time he found a full-time position as a Guest Experience Associate at Deloitte, the largest accounting firm in the world.

With a stable job and visa support from his employer, Son is enjoying what life has to offer in Melbourne. In the near future, he aims to accumulate savings to help his family and knowledge to prepare for a master's degree in Australia.

“When attending job interviews in Australia, I always ask myself how I can be selected, then pass probation and stay with this job I like for a long time, considering that my prospective colleagues and the other job candidates are all well qualified, with some having masters degrees and years of experience," Son said.

“After working part-time in many different environments, I’ve realised that only my attitude, confidence and passion can make a difference. Surely everyone will want to work with someone who is ambitious, professional, and enthusiastic about learning. Someone who is not afraid of mistakes or hard work, and loves the job."

Nguyen Hoang Son used to work part-time for Hanoi Radio & Television Broadcasting while studying at RMIT. (Photo courtesy of Son) Nguyen Hoang Son used to work part-time for Hanoi Radio & Television Broadcasting while studying at RMIT. (Photo courtesy of Son)

For Son, the three years at RMIT were never about just going to class and then going home. Those three years were for Son to be himself, to experience, strive, and persevere with what he wanted.

Son has had a passion for emcee-ing since high school, and worked part-time for several radio and TV stations while at university. He is the founder of the RMIT Public Speaking Club in Hanoi and has been the master of ceremonies for many events in and outside the university.

When asked what message he had for young people entering the professional world, Son said: "I have been assigned many important tasks when I showed my passion for those tasks. I believe that your boss will also assign work according to your strengths. So why not boldly propose something that you're good at? Don't be shy or afraid of being wrong. The more you hesitate, the more likely you will lose out on an opportunity.”

“Finally, take the time to network with your colleagues and the relationships that you think will bring many great new things to your career and life. There are many kind people out there who are eager and ready to help you,” Son said.

Story: Ngoc Hoang

16 April 2024

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