Rediscover self-awareness and authentic personal branding with INK YOUR MARK

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Rediscover self-awareness and authentic personal branding with INK YOUR MARK

In a world full of choices, competition, and constant change, how do you find the path that’s truly right for you? At RMIT, students are learning to harness self-awareness as the foundation for building an authentic personal brand that aligns with their values, strengths, and aspirations.

Redefining self-awareness

At its core, self-awareness means understanding what makes you unique, your interests, strengths, and areas for growth. The ENACTUS club at RMIT Vietnam defines self-awareness simply as “knowing what you like, what you’re good at, and what you need to improve, so you can make better choices for your future.”

Self-awareness has two important dimensions:

Internal self-awareness: This involves recognising your values, passions, and strengths. It helps answer questions like: What matters most to me? What do I want to contribute to?
External self-awareness: This relates to how others perceive you; your communication style, behavior, and impact on those around you.

INK YOUR MARK is a student-led initiative from ENACTUS Club that supports students in developing both, along with authentic personal branding. The project offers a workshop and a creative fair, giving students a dynamic journey that weaves creativity, strategy, and introspection into a practical framework for personal and professional growth.

First steps in embracing self-awareness

INK YOUR MARK started with a fair that was filled with a series of introspective activities. From hands-on clay modeling and vision boards to fun challenges, students got to uncover strengths and values that are esstential for building self-awareness and personal branding in a fun and collaborative space.

For Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, a Digital Marketing student, the experience felt personal and engaging: “I was drawn to the activities that suited me best, like decorating boards instead of solving puzzles. I also enjoyed joining events with friends, rather than doing them alone. I really thrived in that interactive, creative space where connection and collaboration were encouraged.”

These touchpoints prepare them for the final workshop, where they deepen their understanding and learn how to bring their personal brand to life in both professional and everyday settings.

Elevating authentic personal branding

At the next leg of INK YOUR MARK, ENACTUS Club invited some of the popular influencers among Vietnamese gen Z: Co Em Trendy, Dino Vu, and Nguyen Tien Huy, as they shared their experiences and valuable lessons about authentic personal branding. The workshop was also hosted by Uy Le, a popular stand-up comedian, highlighting the values of individuality.

One of the most powerful messages from the INK YOUR MARK workshop is that self-awareness is the root of a strong, authentic personal brand. As Nguyen Tien Huy, CEO of Pencil Group and Co-Founder of the Vietnam Legacy Branding Centre, shared that “When you’re aware of your values and voice, you don’t just speak, then you connect.”

This connection is what turns communication into something meaningful. It builds trust, clarity, and relatability. With 17 years of experience in branding and leadership, Huy emphasised that real confidence comes from understanding yourself: You don't need to act like someone else. When you know your values, your brand becomes natural, consistent, and lasting.

Influencer and podcaster Dino Vu echoed this sentiment. For him, staying grounded in your core beliefs is more important than chasing trends. “Push your limits and grow,” he advised, “but never at the cost of your core values.” A brand built on authenticity can stand the test of time.

Dino’s first viral video happened by chance, but it was his decision to stay true to himself that allowed him to grow into a distinctive, successful public figure. That same authenticity can help anyone stand out, especially in competitive job markets where being real is more powerful than just being skilled.

Measuring successful personal branding

Self-awareness is a quiet superpower, essential but often underestimated. It’s hard, humble, and hidden, which makes it easy to overlook, especially when the results don’t show up right away.

When asked how we can measure the success of personal branding, Huy shared that one way is through engagement, how people respond, interact, and connect with the values you share.

On the other hand, Dino Vu offered a more personal perspective: for him, the measure is contentment. It's the joy of living every day fueled by his personal brand; sharing what he loves, connecting with others through his interests and knowledge, and growing from the feedback he receives. That passion not only motivates him to keep learning and evolving, but also sustains a lifestyle aligned with the kind of happiness he defines for himself.

Introverts can shine, too

It came as a surprise when all the guest experts in the room, despite their influencer profiles, admitted they were introverts. It challenged the common belief that only loud, outgoing personalities can succeed in building a personal brand.

Co Em Trendy may not be constantly active on social media, but her steady and thoughtful presence has made a lasting impact in the fashion world. “I used to think I had to be louder or more outgoing to stand out,” she shared. “But over time, I figured out that my quietness, emotional sensitivity, and simplicity aren’t flaws but they’re my strengths.” Her steady, thoughtful content proves that presence doesn’t have to be loud to leave a mark.

Dino Vu agreed: “Honestly, I think introversion can be an advantage in personal branding, especially in today’s digital world. You can sit and talk to a camera or phone, and it feels natural. And you can choose your platform, your format, and your pace. That freedom allows you to show up in a way that feels right for you.”

Embracing your whole true selves

During the workshop, one student raised a thoughtful question: “If I show many different sides of myself on social media, which one is the ‘real’ me?

Uy Le offered a warm response. He reminded everyone that we are not one-dimensional. Every version of us, whether serious or funny, introverted or extroverted, can be real. What matters is choosing the parts you’re comfortable sharing and standing by them with confidence.

He gave an example from his own life. Although known for his comedic style, he also has a serious, introspective side. He doesn’t always need to be entertaining. Different situations bring out different parts of who he is, and none of them are ‘fake’.

A mark that lasts

“It grounded me,” said Huynh My Tien, a Professional Communication student, who left the workshop with a deeper sense of clarity. “I realised that uncertainty and self-doubt are part of the journey, too.”

She was one of over 350 participants at both the INK YOUR MARK fair and the workshop, proving the power of a passionate, united team. This success wasn’t by chance, it came from bold ideas, relentless effort, and every member of the club stepping up to play a part in this success.

This experience empowered students to build personal brands grounded in authenticity, confidence, and clarity, equipping them for meaningful growth both professionally and personally.

More than just an event, INK YOUR MARK made a mark that lasted, sparking a new spirit and setting a fresh benchmark for future projects. It’s a proud milestone for ENACTUS, one that’s truly helped students discover self-awareness and build authentic personal brands with confidence and purpose.

This project is led by ENACTUS, a nonprofit dedicated since 2009 to developing entrepreneurial leaders who create positive community impact. Aligned with this mission, the initiative helps students build self-awareness and authentic personal brands, empowering them with confidence and clarity for meaningful personal and professional growth.

This is an independent initiative by the students and is not officially affiliated with or endorsed by RMIT Vietnam University as an institution.

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Story: Pham Thanh Thao, a Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam, with inputs from Pham Tri Song Toan, project leader of INK YOUR MARK - RMIT ENACTUS.

20 June 2025

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