Opportunities and challenges for humanities students when working in businesses.

The event featured two speakers: Mr. Nguyen Duc Anh (Deputy General Director of Bao Tin Manh Hai Company) and Ms. Truong Bich Hanh (Permanent Deputy General Director of Tan A Dai Thanh Group), both with many years of experience in recruitment, management, human resource development, marketing, and strategy building.

With practical experience and formal training in information technology, but now highly successful in business, Mr. Nguyen Duc Anh shared: “Currently, in the trend of the labor market, and with the increasing number of interdisciplinary training programs, it is quite normal and common for graduates to work in jobs not directly related to their trained specialization. If you think that studying History, Philosophy, Literature… only leads to teaching, research, or working in government agencies directly related to your field of study, then you have missed many opportunities to find interesting jobs with attractive incomes.”
In an increasingly competitive job market, students in social sciences and humanities often face numerous challenges when applying for jobs. One of the biggest obstacles is technology, foreign language proficiency, and the ability to adapt and apply skills in real-world situations.
However, the opportunities are significant. Businesses today are increasingly interested in soft skills, communication abilities, networking, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of society, people, and culture – strengths characteristic of students in the social sciences and humanities. Fields such as communication, human resources, marketing, public relations, and project management are all very suitable for this group of majors. And in fact, many former students of the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities have become CEOs, successful entrepreneurs, and managers in businesses across various sectors.
Ms. Truong Bich Hanh further shared: “I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, but then I decided to try my hand at a new field at large economic corporations such as Vingroup and Tan A Dai Thanh. However, what I had been trained in at university equipped me with a foundation of social knowledge, logical thinking, networking skills, and relationship-building abilities… These are some of the important factors that helped me succeed.”

Secrets to success

In the lively and open atmosphere of the talk show, the two speakers shared many valuable experiences to help students improve their competitiveness when applying for jobs and succeed in the corporate environment.
Ms. Truong Bich Hanh stated: “There is no single formula for success that works for everyone, but there are certainly some key factors: knowledge, skills, and attitude. If you are well-trained, possess solid professional knowledge, rich soft skills, a continuous learning spirit, a wide social network, and a little luck, you will succeed regardless of your field of study, whether it's in your field or not, or at any company. Social science and humanities students need to supplement their practical skills: such as using digital tools, data analysis skills, foreign language proficiency, and creative thinking. This will not only help them expand their career opportunities but also make them stand out in the eyes of employers.”
According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Anh, in today's digital age, the labor market is constantly changing, and no job position is "stable," especially in the business environment. Continuously learning, updating new knowledge, and adapting to trends are key to the success of social science and humanities students.
“First, you need to determine what kind of job you want to do, your strengths, and with effort, perseverance, a proactive spirit, and a willingness to embrace challenges, you will achieve further progress in your career. Social connections and practical experience are also a plus when you apply for jobs and are important factors in your career. Even while studying in university, along with accumulating professional knowledge, students should actively participate in student union club events, professional seminars, talk shows, and find a part-time job with suitable hours. This will help students expand their network, learn from experienced people, and access more job opportunities,” emphasized Mạnh Hải, Deputy General Director of Bảo Tín Company.         The talk show provided many practical perspectives and useful advice for students. With thorough preparation (in both knowledge and skills) and diligence, hard work, and a thirst for knowledge, students of social sciences and humanities can absolutely assert their position in the business environment and build a solid career in the future.