Graduating from high school with many concerns about future orientation, Nguyen Thi Quyen Trang once stood between many choices. Initially, her family oriented her to pursue preschool pedagogy, but Trang realized she was not suitable.
At that time, I had not determined what major I would study. After learning about it, I found out that I didn't like kindergarten, so my family suggested switching to hotel management. I also decided to try it because I thought this was a field with many job opportunities," Trang shared.
Trang's decision to study college instead of university stemmed from her family circumstances. "I used to think about university, but conditions did not allow it. I want to go to work early, reduce the financial burden, so I chose to study college," she said.
In 2023, Trang enrolled and started a new journey. In just the first few months, she had a clearer view of the industry she was pursuing. "I almost didn't know anything about the hotel industry before. But after only 2-3 months, thanks to the guidance of teachers, I understood the basic knowledge," Trang recounted.
The point that Trang is most satisfied with is the training program that focuses on practice. Right from the first year, students have been exposed to reception and room operations like a real hotel environment.
At school, we practice very carefully. From the reception to the room, everything is done like a real environment. Thanks to that, when going out, I am not surprised," Trang said.
Also thanks to early practice orientation, at the end of the year, Trang started working part-time in the restaurant - hotel sector. Initially, she worked part-time with a salary of about 30,000-35,000 VND/hour, mainly on weekends or free time.
I both study and work, but it doesn't affect my studies. The knowledge at school helps me work better, and practical work helps me understand the lesson faster," Trang shared.
Throughout her studies, Trang maintained good academic results, and at the same time accumulated work experience in many different environments, from restaurants to 5-star hotels. This is a great advantage when she starts looking for an official job.
Recruiters are very interested in practical experience. When I went for an interview, they asked very carefully about my previous part-time work process. Thanks to having experience, I was accepted quite quickly, only about 3 days after submitting the application," Trang said.
Currently, Trang is officially working at a hotel in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, and still maintains her seasonal work at another unit.
From her own experience, Trang believes that the restaurant - hotel industry still has a large demand for human resources, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City. However, opportunities only come to those who are proactive.
Many people are afraid of unemployment, but in reality, this industry always needs people. The important thing is that you must go to work early, accumulate experience. If you wait until graduation to start, it will be slower than others," she said.
Trang also emphasized that choosing a career needs to be based on thorough understanding, not just listening to one-way orientation. "The family may suggest it, but you yourself must understand and like it to be able to follow it for a long time," she said.
Looking back at the journey she has gone through, Trang said that if she could choose again, she would still go the old path. "Initially, I may hesitate, but when I studied and worked, I found everything very suitable. I don't think college is a detour, but a practical and effective direction," Trang shared.
