Ms. Le Thi Phuong Lien, M.A.: “At 20, young people should explore. Start now and don't be afraid anymore.”

Having graduated with an MBA from RMIT International University (Australia), Ms. Le Thi Phuong Lien has worked in business consulting at large Vietnamese and foreign companies and enterprises. Drawing on her extensive knowledge and practical experience, she has taught at many prestigious universities and international education programs in Vietnam. Currently, Ms. Le Thi Phuong Lien is the Deputy Director of Mondial Solution (one of the leading companies in the field of design consulting and brand identity), and also a lecturer in Small and Medium Enterprise Management at Viet My College. Her notable achievements in her career are undoubtedly admired by many young people. 

A modern perspective from an entrepreneur on teaching methods. 

APC: Having years of experience working at large companies and running her own business, what makes your teaching methods different from the average, Madam?

Ms. Lien: She has interacted with many students from diverse environments, sizes, and fields of study, so her teaching methods vary from place to place. However, she always prioritizes students going out to learn, doing more hands-on experience, or inviting experts to share their knowledge. While some schools she taught at found it difficult to implement these methods, at Viet My University, it's the opposite; the Faculty of Management strongly encourages such activities.

She likes it when students try to learn by doing. For example, in the recent 100 Dollar Challenge on the theme of "Starting a Business," it's clear that the current ideas from the students are very good. They're not just limited to mixed rice paper snacks or bubble tea... but are branded products, with online and offline marketing. The students have also shown more concern for environmental protection. We can see fewer plastic straws and less waste, and one group even ran a battery exchange promotion, meaning you could get a discount on drinks by bringing in your old batteries...

From her love for the community to her dedication to education, she has always been passionate about it.

 APC: Why did you choose to study Business Administration? Was it because you had a passion for it from the beginning and decided to pursue this field?

Ms. Lien: When we're 20, we don't know why we're studying. I was the same. Some people get interested after hearing about it from friends, others are guided by their families… Back then, I didn't have any direction either, I just studied to get it over with. I myself went through that phase of not knowing what we were doing or who we were at 20. That's why I always tell young people: “"I should explore my own limits more so that I can focus on my strengths.".

APC: Although you didn't have a clear direction from the beginning, given your notable successes in your career, you've undoubtedly put in a lot of effort. Why did you choose teaching when there were so many other great opportunities available?

Ms. Lien: She wasn't born to be a teacher. Nobody studies economics just to become a teacher, right? (laughs). But she enjoys teaching because she feels she's doing more for the community. She can support more students. They might not have had an easy time from the start, they might have begun from a lower point, but with enough effort, they can still work, develop well, and succeed.

Each option has its own advantages; working for large companies offers great opportunities for career advancement. She considered that option for a while after graduation. However, she felt those choices would only contribute a very small part to society. She still prefers the experience and balance. Actually, teaching is fun, meeting young people is enjoyable, and she gets new energy from them every day., 

APC: So what is it about Viet My that has kept you here?

Ms. Lien: One of the reasons she chose Viet My College is because she really likes the educational model here. For example, while 100% of the theoretical knowledge taught at university is only applicable to 10% of students, at a college like ours, you only learn 30% of the theory, but that's the knowledge you really need.

In other places, while I want to teach students more practical skills and less theory, I'm sometimes constrained by other factors such as evaluation, final grades, and accreditation systems, which severely limits my efforts. Each time students go on a field trip or internship, the instructors have to invest a lot of time and effort, so other schools rarely organize or implement such trips. The reason is that organizing a trip requires extensive preparation from the instructors, including planning, ensuring the trip is relevant to the course, determining what students will learn, how it will change their mindset for the workplace, and what they need to prepare for after graduation. In contrast, at Viet My, field trips, internships, and practical training are very frequent because they are very beneficial for students.

Every day of teaching is a joy.

APC: Did you encounter any obstacles during your teaching career, Ms.?

Ms. Lien: Her initial field of study was management, so she was very obsessed with setting goals and planning to achieve them. Of course, problems would arise during implementation, but she had to see her goals through. Sometimes, some students were accustomed to a passive, wait-and-see attitude, and she had to help them get used to it. That meant giving them a clear schedule and reminding them to follow it. Initially, it might be stressful, but if they did a little each week, they would complete it by the end of the semester.

When she teaches, she thinks of it like planting seeds; if just one or two seeds sprout, she's happy because that's the right thing to do. Doing the right thing is truly harder than doing the wrong thing or following the crowd. But because she knows and believes she's doing the right thing, she just keeps doing it. 

APC: Looking back on your journey now, do you feel satisfied?

Ms. Lien: She still finds herself "happy" every day. There are things you shouldn't get angry about, things you can't change. She often reflects on whether she tried her best and what she learned from it. Mistakes are a part of life, so you have to accept them to learn from them and move forward.

She loves learning and always encourages her friends to study. She also constantly learns new methods to apply to her teaching and continues to learn things she enjoys.

In your 20s – young people, just keep exploring!

APC: Based on her own journey and experiences, what advice would she give to students?

Ms. Lien: She advised the students to respect themselves, be serious about their plans, and strive to learn and work hard. If they don't start now, being unemployed in a year or two would be terrible. By then, they'd be older, lazy, and certainly wouldn't be able to find a job compared to recent graduates. For students preparing for internships, she didn't try to comfort them anymore, but simply stated the truth. Sometimes, her bluntness might hurt them a little, but she wanted them to understand that this is the reality of working.

Your 20s are a time for exploration, so go ahead and explore to discover your limits. Don't just sit there imagining things; do them to see if they're as you envisioned, if they're worth the effort. Pay the price early instead of late, and don't be afraid anymore. Let's "Stop thinking and start doing.".

APC: However, in Vietnam, young people are often quite constrained by family anxieties. What are your thoughts on this issue?

Ms. Lien: All parents worry about their children, but in one way or another. To alleviate that worry, young people need to show their parents what they can do, why they do it, and how they will do it. 

To reassure your parents, you must build their trust through the smallest things. However, first and foremost, understand your parents. Their way of loving their children may not be the same as you expect, but understand that people often fear what they don't know or are unsure of. Therefore, you need to clearly show your parents what you are doing and what you have accomplished. Knowing what your parents fear, patiently convince them that you are mature enough to do it. Just love and understand your parents, and you will find a way.

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Author: Viet My College - Date written: September 17, 2019

Category: Small and medium-sized enterprise management, News - Events, Uncategorized

Tags: APC, Viet My College, lecturer, Business Administration, Ms. Le Thi Phuong Lien