Steadfast in the field of journalism

Astonished…

On the day I received my new assignment, my first action was to ask for a private meeting with Mr. Nguyen Kien Hung, then the Editor-in-Chief, to express my concerns and anxieties. He reassured me: "Don't worry, I and the other members of the Editorial Board will guide and support you. I have great confidence in you, which is why I've entrusted you with this important responsibility. The important thing is that you must be confident in your abilities." Hearing him say that, I felt somewhat reassured, but I was still very worried. Before me was the Editorial Secretariat, along with reporters and editors who had been working in journalism for many years, now under my leadership and direction – a complete newcomer to the profession. I sensed that deep down, they still didn't fully respect or believe in my abilities. And that was understandable; my specialization was economics, and I worked in organization and administration, and now I was the Editorial Secretary, leading and directing nearly 30 people to produce content for three newspapers (!?).

Not only my colleagues at the editorial office, but even my relatives and some of my colleagues working at other newspapers and media outlets in the province shared the same opinion. Someone said to me, "You've never studied journalism or worked in journalism, so why are you working as an editorial secretary?" I just smiled and replied, "Look at people like Vo Dac Danh (Saigon Tiep Thi newspaper), Thien Thao (Ho Chi Minh City Police newspaper), Tien Trinh (Thanh Nien newspaper)... they didn't study journalism either, and they're doing very well in journalism, even becoming famous. Just wait and see." Even though I said that, I couldn't help but worry. What should I do, and how can I change people's perception of me, so that I can fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me? Many nights I couldn't sleep because of this question.

            Learn a trade - love your trade.

"Every beginning is difficult." That's absolutely true. Along with Vietnam Photo News of the Vietnam News Agency, Dat Mui Photo News is a unique photo newspaper of Ca Mau province, unlike any other province or city in the country. Dat Mui Photo News has three publications and an online version, with two weekly editions (Dat Mui Photo News Monday and Dat Mui Weekend) and a bilingual Vietnamese-Khmer newspaper published twice a month. It wasn't easy for a brand-new editorial secretary like me.

I decided to throw myself into studying.

First and foremost, I learned on my own. I bought and borrowed many books on journalism, journalistic skills, and textbooks from various authors, both domestic and international, to study. At the same time, I researched online, learned from senior colleagues and peers to draw my own conclusions. Furthermore, whenever training courses on journalism, photography, etc., were organized, I always made time to participate.

Fortunately, around mid-2011, I heard that the Ca Mau Provincial Center for Continuing Education, in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – Vietnam National University, Hanoi, was opening a part-time journalism program right in Ca Mau City. I registered immediately because it was a great opportunity to equip myself with knowledge. The class started in December of that year.

We were truly fortunate to have been mentored by renowned and passionate educators, journalists, and researchers such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Xuan Son, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Quang Hao, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Journalists Association's Professional Training Center, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journalist Magazine Pham Quoc Toan… Throughout nearly four years of working and studying, we experienced many emotions towards our teachers and classmates, but the most memorable impression remains the knowledge and experience that our teachers imparted to us.

Beyond the theoretical part, the teachers dedicated a large portion of their time to imparting and sharing the most up-to-date, practical experiences and knowledge using creative and engaging "hands-on" methods. Numerous field trips also significantly enhanced our knowledge, allowing us to immediately apply it to our daily journalistic work. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with journalism, a profession I never thought I would pursue.

Steadfast in your profession

With what I learned, along with the guidance and support of the Editorial Board and the Editorial Secretariat, I have changed people's perceptions of me. In my position, I have reformed the organization and operation of the editorial office, innovating both the content and format of the Dat Mui Photo Newspaper publications while maintaining the distinctive characteristics of photojournalism. Besides that, I have also written many political commentary articles and feature stories to prove myself a true journalist. From having little information, dry content, lacking in "hot" or topical relevance, and poor imagery, the printed and online versions of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper have now become more beautiful and attractive.

As an "extension" of the Editorial Board, I did not let anyone down. In March 2015, I was appointed Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. In my new position, I continued to work and study simultaneously. Now that I have completed my journalism degree, as always, I constantly remind myself to keep learning, learning more, and learning forever. And the day I graduate from journalism school will be a day I will never forget.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the professors and lecturers at the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, who have helped me to confidently pursue a career in journalism.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the department's founding, we wish all the faculty members continued good health, happiness, and success!