Learn vocational skills to guide your future career path.

Why do graduates still lack the skills to find employment? What are they lacking, and what should they do to prepare for the challenges of their first job? The truth is, a degree alone is not enough to qualify for a job. A degree is necessary, but it's only a passport for a new graduate to enter the workforce. What's more essential and important are professional skills, specialized knowledge, and the ability to adapt to the job. In this day and age, we must recognize that employers hire people who know how to work, not just those with degrees. If you lack skills, you will lose the race for your dream job.

Ms. Le Bich Phuong, currently working as an assistant director for a software company, said: “I graduated from university with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, but now I work in marketing. Therefore, when I started, I knew nothing about the business. I didn't know the company's marketing process, the brand's process, how to identify target customers, or any of the technical terms. Everything was so new to me; I had to learn from scratch. As a result, I made many mistakes and my work was much slower than others. I didn't learn as quickly as those who had received formal training. Furthermore, my company deals with software, so I had to work very hard to grasp the product. The truth is, without professional training, it's difficult to work professionally.”

Benefits of professional training courses

Furthermore, in today's ever-changing economy, any career plan is subject to change. Therefore, you need to be prepared for any eventuality.

Many graduates are still unclear about their career path. Quite a few choose to blindly apply to any company that's hiring, even though they're completely clueless about the specific job they're applying for. "The job chooses the person, not the other way around," is a common self-consolation for those in this situation. But work is a part of your life. You can't do something you don't enjoy. If you're unsure which field to choose, you can try exploring different professions to see if you like them. Vocational training courses offer opportunities to try a new field while gaining practical knowledge and a certificate upon completion.

Mr. Tran Van Binh, a communications employee at Vero company, said about professional training: “Having training helps you get acquainted with the job faster and feel less overwhelmed. Of course, people can still learn professional skills on their own if they know how. But self-learning takes a lot of time, while participating in a training course saves time and expands your network.”

Even if you already have a job, your career goals shouldn't stop there. You need to take control of your work. To do that, you must constantly learn. All vocational training courses can improve your chances, helping you get a better job and a more successful career. They will train you in a specific field and provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills. With an officially recognized certificate in hand, you can apply for the best jobs in that field and have more opportunities to succeed in your chosen path. Challenges can be overcome if you maintain a positive attitude and always expand your professional knowledge whenever possible. What you learn today is the foundation for everything you do in the future.

Participating in professional training courses helps you stand firm when competing with others. For example, when working in the PR field, if you have studied public relations and event organization, you will have a higher chance of being hired than competitors who are also new to the profession and have not participated in any training courses. Improving your professional skills helps you increase your own value.

Mr. Dao Trong Ho, head of human resources at the branch of Thanh Cong Security and Guard Services Co., Ltd., said: “Learning skills while still in school is essential because it greatly benefits us when we start working. It will help us have a solid foundation, ready to learn new things. These skills will help students be much more confident when entering a challenging work environment.”

When can you start taking professional training courses?

You can enroll in professional skills courses while still in university to gain direction and a vision of your future career. Alternatively, you can register for training while awaiting graduation or immediately after graduation, as you won't be working yet. However, even if you're already working, you can still enhance your professional knowledge with evening courses. Ideally, you should enroll in courses that offer official certificates from universities, colleges, vocational schools, or technical schools. These certificates can significantly improve your job prospects.

Mr. Ho advised: “Third-year and fourth-year students can already take professional training courses. In the field of human resource management, I find that those equipped with foundational skills have a much greater advantage when starting a job compared to those who learn on their own. I regret not participating in professional training before starting my career. The recruitment and sourcing skills, as well as the management abilities of those who received professional training, are all better than mine when I first started. They also progress faster.”

Bui Tran Ca Dao