The university has a strategy in place for training history students to increase their job opportunities.

In the context of global development and integration, applied sciences are increasingly gaining advantages for growth.

The current reality shows that the labor market favors human resources in the fields of economics, technology, finance, etc., while paying less attention to basic sciences, including history.

History has always held an important place.

In an interview with a reporter from Vietnam Online Magazine, Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Son - Deputy Head of the History Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities,Vietnam National University, HanoiIt is asserted that while history may not be a "hot" subject, it has not lost its position in society.

Every field of study aims to provide the workforce for society.

The fact is, whenscience and technologyAs the industry continues to develop, the societal demand for human resources in science, technology, and engineering fields, as well as individuals with knowledge and understanding of economics and finance, and with aptitude and skills in communication, will increasingly grow. This is easily explained by the natural law that where there is demand, there will be supply.

Above all, in reality, no society needs many historical researchers or historians. However, history never fades away, and the development of each nation cannot be without a part of its history.

In terms of competitiveness within higher education, History may not be as "strong" as other trending, "hot" fields of study, but in terms of its status and role in society, the position of History is extremely solid.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Son expressed that society still understands and refers to the field of History in a simplistic way as a discipline that provides knowledge about events that have occurred in the development of humanity, of each nation and people, and that this knowledge is only suitable for researchers and has no value in serving society.

However, in reality, many professions utilize and greatly need knowledge from the field of History. Therefore, studying History is not just about learning dry numbers and dates, but also about gaining knowledge from many different areas of society.

A new direction in history education.

Considering the social context and practical needs, the Department of History, Faculty of Education, Da Nang University, has developed a History training program that differs from some other training units in that it focuses on in-depth training in International Relations.

According to Dr. Truong Trung Phuong, Deputy Head of the Department of History, University of Education, Da Nang University: The trend of globalization is taking place strongly and comprehensively in all aspects of life, leading to an increasing demand for human resources serving in the fields of diplomacy and foreign affairs at diplomatic agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, foreign affairs departments of multinational corporations, media, press, public relations, etc.

Therefore, the International Relations specialization within the History Faculty will help students conduct comprehensive and in-depth research on the historical process of the nation and humanity; knowledge of bilateral and multilateral international relations, foreign policies of major countries, international organizations, international law, etc.

In addition, according to Dr. Truong Trung Phuong, students will be trained in international communication and negotiation skills, diplomatic protocol, foreign affairs office operations, and specialized English proficiency to enable them to work in an international, multicultural environment.

This helps learners gain a better understanding of global issues, and international relations in the medieval, modern, and contemporary periods in fields such as politics and diplomacy, trade and investment, security and defense, culture, and international law.

According to Professor Phuong, the History major program, specializing in International Relations, is designed to be open-ended, creating many opportunities for students during their studies.

Specifically, in addition to studying the History major, specializing in International Relations, students can pursue two programs simultaneously by enrolling in additional courses at overseas educational institutions that cooperate with the university or outside the university, in order to meet the program's graduation requirements.

The practical modules are structured in a 50/50 or 30/70 ratio to enhance students' professional practical skills.

On the other hand, the department has established connections with units such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Center for International Cooperation Development, the Union of Friendship Organizations, several non-governmental organizations, and many other units with areas of work relevant to the students' expertise and professional skills to organize internship and practical training courses.

Meanwhile, concerned that the specialized nature of the History field might limit job opportunities for graduates, the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, is actively promoting the transfer and application of research results to serve the community in the fields of historical science, cultural studies, and cultural management.

Currently, the program is structured around two main knowledge areas: knowledge from various fields within the social sciences and humanities; and knowledge from historical sciences such as Vietnamese History, World History, History of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Cultural History, Urban History, and knowledge of historical theory and archaeology.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Son emphasized that the History training program places special emphasis on practical skills and applications, following the principle of "learning by doing" to achieve the highest effectiveness in the training process.

Unlike other basic science majors where students gain practical experience and internships from their second or third year, history students begin their first year with a 15-day archaeological excavation internship.

This is one of the most distinctive and unique aspects of the History Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, which has been and is currently implementing this activity.

Tran Tam Nhu, a student from the History Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that throughout their studies, history students are given opportunities by their teachers to access and get closer to history through firsthand observation and listening.

Archaeological internships at sites and relics can be considered a "specialty" of the History department, a privilege reserved for History students as they get to transform into "apprentice archaeologists".

“We got to personally hold hoes and scrapers, and dig through each layer of soil ourselves. Every action at the site was a valuable lesson, through which we learned how to handle artifacts we found and how to observe the geological strata from different perspectives.”

In particular, through each trip, students will gain additional communication, interpersonal, and work skills at local agencies and specialized organizations that have supported them throughout their internship.

"Fifteen days of internship is enough for students to feel the dedication of the teachers as well as the hard work of the profession. More than anything, students have gained many valuable experiences, knowledge, and skills to support their future work," Tam Nhu expressed.

Studying history is not just about becoming a "historian".

Amidst the increasingly diverse range of training programs, to help the History field adapt and develop further, training institutions have actively changed their perspective and diversified their training methods to expand career opportunities for History students, dispelling the notion that studying history only leads to becoming a "historian".

According to Dr. Truong Trung Phuong, the training program in History specializing in International Relations at the University of Education, Da Nang University, will provide students with many job opportunities in the context of globalization.

Accordingly, students have the opportunity to work in the foreign affairs agencies and units of the Party and State from the central to local levels.

Graduates with a Bachelor's degree in History can also work in international organizations, non-governmental organizations, embassies, consulates, foreign affairs offices, or take on positions as foreign affairs specialists, interpreters, translators, project coordinators, or assistants in foreign-invested enterprises, joint ventures, state-owned enterprises, and multinational corporations.

In addition, graduates can work as lecturers or researchers at universities, colleges, and research institutes both domestically and internationally.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Son, in addition to the traditional working environment, the school has gradually shifted its focus towards non-public institutions by strengthening comprehensive professional skills in history and culture and emphasizing related professional fields.

Based on that, the curriculum framework for the History major has been expanded from 2019 to the present to include subjects in fields closely related to History such as Tourism Studies, Journalism and Media, Political Science, Anthropology, Vietnamese Studies, Cultural Studies, etc. Job opportunities for History graduates have therefore also expanded.

Specifically, graduates in History can work as researchers at historical and cultural research institutes or in government management roles related to historical documents, cultural heritage, and museums.

In universities, academies, colleges, and high schools, history graduates possess sufficient knowledge and ability to teach courses and subjects related to history, as well as perform tasks involving integrated knowledge in social sciences and humanities.

Graduates with a degree in History can also take on positions in historical and cultural consulting, organizational development, and organizational culture building in domestic and international companies. They can work in journalism, media, and publishing organizations, and even in the tourism and travel industry.

Currently, the school is actively promoting a policy of expanding training related to practical application and the use of technology in research and historical reconstruction, focusing on strengthening hands-on training and forming working groups between teachers and students to promote interaction and mutual support between teachers and learners for shared growth.

In its courses, the Faculty leadership also emphasizes expanding the learning environment beyond the campus grounds.

Accordingly, the learning and teaching process takes place not only in school lecture halls but also in museums, historical sites, and ancient villages around Hanoi and in Northern Vietnam.