University is not the only path.

(Baonghean)The stories of young people who started their careers through vocational training and achieved success through their chosen professions demonstrate that success lies in choosing a career that suits one's abilities and strengths, and in the determination to pursue one's passion. For them, university is not the only path...

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh is guiding students through practical exercises.

After graduating from high school, instead of taking the university entrance exam like his peers, Nguyen Thanh Vinh, a poor young man from Nghi Xuan commune, Nghi Loc district, decided to choose his own path. He shared: “Back then, I also dreamed of sitting in a university lecture hall, but I had many siblings, and I felt sorry for my parents, who were factory workers who had toiled their whole lives for their children, yet still struggled to make ends meet. Partly because I thought that the main goal of education was to get a job, and that vocational training would ensure employment, I chose to apply to a vocational school.” In 2004, Vinh enrolled in the second course of the Electronics and Telecommunications department at the Vietnam-Korea Vocational Training School.

He believed in the saying "Master one skill, and you'll prosper," meaning that mastering one trade is better than dabbling in nine. He studied while also working part-time to improve his skills. As a result, he graduated with honors. Constantly striving, he spent two years working in private companies, saving up money to continue his studies at Hanoi University of Technology. In 2006, he was invited to teach at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Vietnam-Korea Industrial Technical College. Besides teaching and working part-time at companies, he also contributed to writing textbooks for several subjects: Electronic Circuit Engineering, Sensors, Digital Technology, and several advanced vocational skills training materials for teachers.

With a keen interest in new technologies and a deep commitment to his profession, he frequently participates in research on innovative teaching methods, focusing on "student-centered learning and fostering positive thinking in students." He also guided students in building Robocon robots for the 2009 Vietnam Robot Creativity Competition in the Central and Central Highlands regions, and two of the school's Robocon teams proudly advanced to the top 12 out of 44 participating teams. During his teaching career, he also mentored student groups on their graduation projects, all of whom won top prizes: First, Second, and Third place in the Student-Student Technology Innovation Competition held at the Vietnam-Korea Vocational College of Technology.

As a passionate young teacher, he constantly learns and improves his skills by participating in competitions. He has won numerous awards in provincial and national skills competitions. And the fruits of his tireless efforts were numerous certificates and awards: Second Prize in the Nghe An Province Science and Technology Innovation Project – 2011; a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for "Many achievements in vocational training, contributing to the human resource training of Nghe An province"; a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs for "Receiving the Encouragement Prize – Industrial Electronics" in the National Excellent Vocational Teacher Training Conference in 2012; and a Certificate of Merit from the Provincial Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs for "Receiving the Third Prize – Electronics" in the Provincial Excellent Vocational Teacher Training Conference in 2011. For many years, he was a consistently outstanding worker at the grassroots level. Speaking about his path to success, he shared that it's not important which path you take, but reaching your desired destination. Choosing a profession must first and foremost be suitable to your abilities, strengths, passion, and always striving your best with willpower and ambition. The storm of youth.

Nguyen Ngoc Dung (Nghi Duc - Nghi Loc), who also started his career through an apprenticeship, is now the Deputy Director of Dung Tu Ha Co., Ltd., specializing in repairing construction machinery. He shared: “Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by cars and engines. After graduating from high school, I decided to pursue that passion by choosing to learn car repair. Moreover, I thought that as life develops, the number of machines will surely increase, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about unemployment after graduation.”

Because of his passion for the profession, his studies weren't too difficult. Both theoretical and practical subjects were like experiences and discoveries for him, satisfying his passion for machinery. He achieved scores above 8 in every subject. Upon graduation, he was guaranteed a distinction and was offered a position as a practical instructor at the school. However, wanting to gain practical experience and further hone his specialized knowledge, he applied for a job at a hydraulic machinery company. That was a valuable period for him to explore and learn from the work experience. He shared, "Back then, after graduating, I was just an ordinary worker with an initial salary of only about 400,000 VND. Even so, I wanted to find an environment where I could hone my skills and later establish myself in the profession I had learned and experienced." And after a period of training, he became one of the company's skilled workers.

His hard work led him to a great opportunity in his life as a mechanic. As a renowned mechanic specializing in difficult repairs, he was invited to work for the company where he currently works. To improve his skills and technical expertise, outside of work hours, he independently researched and studied various types of engines and machinery to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of his job. Currently, he has been promoted to the position of Deputy Director in charge of technical affairs. In his new role, he regularly supports and guides the workers technically; striving to ensure a stable life for the mechanics. He always has mechanisms to encourage workers to improve their skills and pays them salaries commensurate with their abilities. For him, the path of learning a trade has truly changed his life.

The stories of those who have succeeded through vocational training are something young people today should reflect upon. There are many paths to success; what's important is choosing a career that suits you, always striving, and being passionate...

Dinh Nguyet - Pham Ngan