Bridging the Gap: Career Guidance for 150+ Freshmen

"English is not a subject you pass. It is a tool you use to survive."

Last month, I had the privilege of standing before 150+ freshmen from various universities who visited FPT Software (FSOFT) for a career orientation tour. Looking at their faces—a mix of excitement and confusion—I saw my younger self.

The Context: Freshmen Confusion

Most students asked about specialized technologies: "Should I learn React or Vue?", "Is AI going to replace Juniors?"

While these are valid concerns, I wanted to shift their focus to the Fundamentals.

Key Takeaways

1. Don't Just Code. Solve Problems.

Coding is the easy part. Understanding the business requirement and translating it into a solution is where the value lies.

2. English is a Survival Tool

In an international environment like FSOFT, technical skills get you the interview, but communication skills get you the promotion.

3. Attitude > Aptitude (For Juniors)

I shared a secret hiring criterion: Resilience. We can teach you Redux in a week. We cannot teach you to not quit when the deadline hits.

Reflection

This event wasn't just for them. It reminded me of my own journey through the FSOFT hierarchy, from a confused intern to a DEV 6 (Technical Lead).

Many students asked me afterward: "How did you reach level 6?"

That answer deserves a post of its own. Stay tuned.