Grow From Within series is a series of interviews about outstanding career development paths at Home Credit to inspire readers and share tips to help you develop quickly on your career path.
With this article of Grow From Within, we will explore Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga's development journey from Water Resources University Student to the position of Risk Technology Project AM at corporation.
❔ We know that you graduated from Water Resources University with a major in Water Resources. So how did you start your career in the Data industry?
As a fresh graduate, I clearly identified my passion and direction, opting to pursue a career in Data Analysis. Therefore, I applied to many companies to seek job opportunities. By chance, I came across Home's recruitment information for the Future Analyst program (the precursor to the Home Racer talent development program). I applied and was onboarded for the Data Analyst position. The program provided a great steppingstone for my career. Starting with little work experience, I had six months to get acquainted with the job and learn a lot of practical knowledge. As a fresher, I received enthusiastic guidance and support from my colleagues, which helped me grasp the basics of the job and the field of Data Analysis. And my career journey in data analysis also started from here, and the determination in the early stages has led me to today's success.
THERE ARE NO INDUSTRIES THAT ARE UNRELATED
❔ With the current situation, up to ~22% of graduates work in unrelated industries? What do you think about this situation?
The story of working in the field that not related with study major is quite common today. I believe this stems from the fact that in Vietnam, most students only learn theoretical knowledge but lack practical experience programs related to their profession and society, which are crucial for success. Students often define themselves and their career aspirations based on their family's wishes. When they enter college, they have more opportunities to engage with society and truly understand whether their chosen major is suitable, allowing them to reorient their path if necessary. Consequently, working in a field different from one's major is becoming increasingly common. In fact, many people have achieved great success by pursuing a new direction different from their original field of study. I believe that “Well-know about yourself and daring to pursue your passion is the deciding factor for success.”
THE CHOICE
❔ Do you think studying in the wrong field or in a field not suitable for the favorite job is a barrier to pursuing the passion?
In my opinion, there is no industry that is unrelated Industry. Changing paths to pursue your passion is never too late. No matter what major you study at university, your education is never redundant because most of what you are taught in school is general knowledge and vocational subjects. The important thing is that you develop your critical thinking, communication skills, and teamwork abilities. Therefore, boldly pursue your favorite career, try to gain more knowledge, and experience every day and you will achieve success.
In reality, I see that there are many jobs that no school can fully prepare you for, and most of the training happens on the job. Therefore, building soft skills, good thinking abilities, and self-learning skills is crucial for pursuing the career you love.
SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES
❔ How did you start your career at Home?
As a fresh graduate aiming to work in Data Analysis, I applied to many companies to seek job opportunities. By chance, I came across Home's recruitment information for the Future Analyst program (the precursor to the Home Racer talent development program). I applied and was onboarded for the Data Analyst position. The program provided a great steppingstone for my career. Starting with little work experience, I had six months to get acquainted with the job and learn a lot of practical knowledge. As a fresher, I received enthusiastic guidance and support from my colleagues, which helped me grasp the basics of the job and the field of Data Analysis.
SELF LEARNING
❔ What did you do to adapt and excel in a completely new field?
Data analysis is one of the foundational skills I had started learning earlier. However, what I had learned were just the basics. Working at Home was the phase where I learned the most, from colleagues and superiors. They guided me, and I learned a lot from practical work.
Additionally, Home has a Gitlab system and internal departmental materials that store the history, development process, and operation methods of the entire system. I spent a lot of time researching and honing my skills from the knowledge and experiences of those who came before me.
❔ Were the training and development programs at Home helpful for your learning process?
At Home, employees are provided with many courses and training programs to support comprehensive talent development. Training programs like Business School, Skills for Future, and specifically for me, the Future Analyst program, are well-structured. They not only provide professional knowledge but also help build soft skills and logical thinking abilities in work. Participating in these courses to upgrade professional knowledge is very important for everyone to be more confident, work more effectively, and create a good steppingstone for career advancement.
DEVELOPMENT
❔ What is your secret to such rapid development?
First, you need to understand your desires and strengths. For me, I am confident in my logical thinking and analytical abilities, so I wanted to work in project management. From my early days at Home, I aimed for my current position to do the work I love.
However, at the beginning, I understood that to be a good at project management position, I needed to have a solid understanding and good knowledge of data as a foundation for the most effective and logical analysis. Without specific knowledge and data, it would be challenging to present and persuade leaders and partners with my project analyses. That’s why I started my career with a Data Analyst position.
❔ In your opinion, what factors are essential for development in the field of data analysis?
I believe there are three essential factors for a good development in career path:
- Logical thinking ability.
- Business mindset.
- Focus and meticulousness.
Logical thinking ability is the most important factor for a data analyst to analyze data effectively and understand the connections and meanings of numbers. Equipping yourself with a good business mindset helps analysts understand the goals, direction, and problems they need to solve. Finally, focus and meticulousness are crucial because numerical errors can lead to serious consequences.
SO, WHAT IF IT'S UNRELATED?
❔ Do you have any advice for young people who are orienting their careers and wanting to choose a job different from their major?
Nga believes that understanding yourself and daring to pursue your passion are keys to success, and working in a different field is not a significant obstacle. The important thing is to understand yourself, continuously learn, and dare to pursue your goals to the end. Regardless of your university major, skills like logical thinking, communication, teamwork, and soft skills are very important. Pursuing your favorite career and continually gaining knowledge and experience will help you achieve success, even if your current job is not directly related to your major.
For me, working in a different field is not an obstacle but an opportunity to explore and develop myself in a new direction. By understanding yourself, continuously learning, gaining experience every day, and developing skills, you can achieve success in a new field. Therefore, don’t hesitate to pursue your passion!
