Teacher Tran Cong Danh – Modern Perspectives from a Teacher in His 20s

After studying and gaining experience in France, and then choosing to return to Vietnam to work in the Finance and Banking sector, Mr. Tran Cong Danh has also had the opportunity to experience and challenge himself in many other business fields such as Education, F&B, etc. Despite being busy with many jobs, THe has always dedicated a portion of his time to teaching and training. Viet My College is one of the places where he has collaborated for nearly 5 years as a lecturer in Business Administration – the BTEC British College program.

Image of a teacher born in the 90s.

Having started teaching at the age of 25, Mr. Danh was then one of the youngest lecturers at Viet My College. Because of this, Mr. Danh was known for being very friendly, approachable, and frequently participating in activities with Viet My students.

As the teacher shared, Viet My College was the first school where he taught. He believes that teaching is a job of sharing:“I want to share my knowledge and experience with young people, and in return, I also learn many new and interesting things from the students themselves. My personal experiences in various environments, along with the knowledge we exchange, will help you gain a more comprehensive perspective on reality, contributing to your own career path..”

The pressure to succeed for young people

Today's young generation faces immense pressure and expectations from family and society. This is gradually becoming an invisible burden, sometimes leading to feelings of fatigue and negative thinking. What are your thoughts on this issue?

Teacher DanhFirst, to understand the extent of the pressure, we must define the word SUCCESS.

Personally, I think success has no standardized measure. Some people define success by the amount of money they earn or the amount of material wealth they accumulate. But for others, success is about doing what they love, creating value for themselves, and sharing it with society. This is why there's a "gap" between our current successes and the desires and expectations of our parents and those around us. So how can we gradually bridge this gap and feel less pressure?

First and foremost, we must not fail. Not failing here means you must always feel satisfied and happy with your choices. We must understand that the nature of family expectations stems from a desire for you to be better and have a happier life. Therefore, you should demonstrate that you are still living well, developing, and being happy with your work, your chosen path, and your chosen life. Then, there will be no reason for others to force you to change.

So how can you succeed?

Teacher DanhFor you young people, be bold and bold in pursuing what you can and understand. Every dream is wonderful; the important thing is to start pursuing it. If you make mistakes, there's always time to adjust or try again. As long as you know how to build a clear plan and set clear goals. Like myself, I always have a checklist of what I want to do and what my goals are for the next 5 years… luckily, I'm always satisfied with the goals I've achieved so far.

Life sometimes brings unexpected turning points. The important thing is to face all changes, whether they are opportunities or challenges. At each such moment, maintain a positive mindset and continue pursuing your chosen goals. For example, for me, receiving a scholarship to study in France was a wonderful and challenging turning point because at that time, France and the French language were quite unfamiliar to me. But in the end, overcoming it made me proud of myself, and it changed my life significantly.

What if, during the process, we encounter difficulties or discover that we are not suited for the field? Don't give up immediately; change your method and approach. For example, when working in banking, people sometimes think that the job is only about numbers, calculations, analysis, and evaluation… However, I don't like doing those kinds of jobs. I know I'm suited to communication and service, so I choose job positions that match my interests and abilities. In all professions and fields, there are different areas of specialization. So, in the end, instead of getting discouraged and leaving the field, find job positions within the same field that are a better fit for you.

Does success come from luck or hard work?

APC: Many people believe that luck is necessary for success. This mindset leads many young people to become passive and to "wait for their time to come." What are your thoughts on this issue?

Teacher DanhIt's true that we always need a little luck to succeed. But the important thing is, when the opportunity comes, are you capable of seizing it to succeed?

I believe that in life, no achievement comes naturally. Everything requires preparation. Therefore, I always advise you to keep trying your best and continuously. The results may not be visible today, but the future is certain if we know how to build and cultivate. Prepare everything as best as you can so that when opportunities arise, you can seize them and showcase your abilities. You will regret it if someone gives you an opportunity and you are not capable of taking it. So don't just sit around waiting.

And furthermore, never regret anything that has happened; simply think of it as a learning experience for similar encounters in the future.

Modern educational perspective

APC: It's been almost five years since Mr. Danh joined Viet My. So what has kept a busy man like him here with the students of Viet My?

Teacher DanhI first learned about Viet My School through a friend (who is also a lecturer at the school), and having long harboured the desire to participate in teaching, I boldly decided to give it a try. However, what has kept me connected to the school for so long is probably the educational philosophy and development direction from the school's leadership.

Initially, when I first met Mr. Doan – then the Director of the BTEC program (now the Principal) – I was quite interested in the program's direction. Later, through working with other teachers, I further reinforced this interest.

Specifically, I think it's about innovative thinking in modern education. It's no coincidence that the majority of teachers involved in the BTEC British College program have received overseas training and have practical work experience. We share the same vision for an open educational program that aligns with the international standards the school is pursuing.

We all agree that learning is for practice. Instructors don't require students to memorize facts or recite theoretical content; instead, they always ask how students can apply what they've learned in their work and daily lives. We just need you to be able to do it, even if it's just small things.

Especially at Viet My University, students are given the freedom and opportunity to develop their abilities. Along with that, there are many interesting and fun extracurricular activities. Perhaps that's why, despite my busy schedule, I still try to maintain my teaching hours at the university to connect, share, and experience the vibrant and dynamic student environment.

Author: Viet My College - Date written: September 4, 2019

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

Tags: APC, Viet My College, lecturer, Tran Cong Danh