A conversation with a second-year student majoring in Restaurant and Hotel Management.

After meeting the leaders of the various clubs, the APC reporter had the opportunity to meet and chat with a very lovely and talented student, a student in a very popular major at Viet My College. "Spoiler alert": she's also the class president! ^^

That's you TRAN THE DAT – Student majoring in Restaurant and Hotel Management

See more:

• Career opportunities in Hotel Management 
• BTEC students do internship at New World Saigon Hotel.
• 6 benefits you can only find when pursuing a career in hospitality.

APC: Hi, could you please introduce yourself briefly?

Dat: Hi! My name is Tran The Dat, currently residing in class 5173VMH03, majoring in Restaurant and Hotel Management at Viet My College. I'm the class leader for class 5173VMH03 and also a member of the VME family. My forte is singing, so I'm always present at any music-related events at the school.

If we're talking about hobbies, I like so many things, but if we're talking about passion, it's music. Music follows me everywhere, for example, on long journeys in a tourist bus, or when I sing along to music while riding my motorbike, or even while studying and listening to music.

I don't know how to list all my strengths because I'm very confident in both life and work, always a good listener and empathetic, easy to get along with, and I don't work independently. I really enjoy working in teams because it increases work efficiency and allows us to learn from each other.

My weakness is that I occasionally get distracted, feeling like everything around me is a joke, wondering where I am and who I am. But I'm trying to overcome this and gradually reduce this distraction by focusing more. .

My slogan is: "Act like champions, be champions." This English quote means that if you act like a champion, you will become a champion. It's a motivational quote that I always want to apply to my life to become a better version of myself in every aspect (haha).

 APC: When talking about Viet My College, what would you like to mention most – what is your favorite thing about the school?

Dat: To talk about Viet My College, I only want to express it in two words: AMAZING. At Viet My, unlike other colleges and universities, it doesn't follow a fixed framework; instead, it's a place I can call home... I can say that at Viet My, the teachers make students feel very close, never distant, and dedicated in their lessons. The teaching methods at Viet My are very different; each teacher has their own unique teaching style, which prevents students from feeling overwhelmed by the knowledge and instead helps them absorb it very well. .

Besides that, the clubs and groups at Viet My are very dynamic. There are many clubs related to the fields you're studying, but the one that impressed me the most is VME, whose full name is Viet My Entertainment. Since becoming a member, I've learned so much knowledge and experience that I wouldn't have gained in my field of study. I had the opportunity to experience being guided by senior members of VME and to be in charge of PR and various other roles in the recent "Brilliant Years" event. The program went very smoothly, leaving a special mark of VME on the teachers and the Viet My student community.

APC: Why did you choose to study Hotel and Restaurant Management and why did you choose Viet My College for your career development?

The reason I chose to study Hotel and Restaurant Management is that back in high school, I started working during the summers of grades 10, 11, and 12. I worked as a server at a small bubble tea shop and developed a passion for the food and beverage industry. I realized I had a preference for service industries because I enjoy interacting with people and making them happy. Therefore, I decided to choose a dynamic career path like Hotel and Restaurant Management, believing it will lead me further in the future.

Previously, I thought I needed a university degree to get a good job, but one fine day, a friend who was studying at Viet My College introduced me to it and shared all her experiences. I decided to go to Viet My for more detailed advice and to visit the campus for some Instagram-worthy photos. After receiving enthusiastic advice and learning about the specializations in my chosen field, I decided to study there. I went home, told my parents about it, and expressed my opinion, and the line between university and college blurred for them. Over the past year, my family and I haven't regretted our decision to study at Viet My. Perhaps my parents see how much I've grown and matured in this environment.

APC: Currently, the Hotel Management industry is very popular. In your opinion, why is the Hotel Management industry so popular, and what career opportunities do Hotel Management students have?

Dat: I think this is a very interesting question. Hotel management is a field of study about organizing, operating, and managing activities within a hotel. You will learn and experience all the positions in the departments inside and outside the hotel. Those of you who are energetic, passionate about food, and love traveling to check in and take photos for social media, like me, will get to experience all of that during your studies. Currently, Hotel Management is considered a hot field because our country is developing its tourism industry rapidly. Along with tourism, the restaurant and hotel industry is indispensable, so job opportunities in this field are very, very high… You can choose an environment that suits you to work in, and you can also eat well and dress well – what could be better?.

APC: Have you ever struggled with balancing your studies, extracurricular activities, and part-time work?

Dat: This is definitely true for me. At Viet My University, I wasn't just a student, I was also the class president. When I first started my student life, balancing work and studying, I faced many difficulties. For example, after working late shifts, I had to prepare for the next day's lessons, inform the class about assignments from the professors, and the most tiring and stressful part was having group meetings during exam periods to meet deadlines for projects given by the professors… However, studying was still more important to me, so I managed to manage my time better. I started working less and focused on my studies, dedicating time to family and friends to reduce stress. Since then, I haven't felt as tired or stressed as I did initially, mainly because I've gotten used to it and can allocate my time effectively to complete tasks in a systematic way and on time. It's not that I naturally became able to manage my time effectively; it's because I applied the "Self-Management" lesson from the Management course taught by Ms. Lien, and I owe my success today to this Vietnam-America community!

APC: So, amidst those difficulties, who were the people who stood by you, helping and encouraging you?

Dat: During those difficult times, my family and friends were always my biggest source of encouragement. Not only that, but the teachers at Viet My also always kept an eye on me. If I missed even one class, they would ask a classmate to call and check on me. Viet My teachers never once made students feel pressured; instead, they were very understanding and always ready to share personal stories or share them in front of the class when needed. .

APC: So, do you have any plans or aspirations after graduation?

Dat: My wish after graduation is to find a job in my chosen field. I think I don't even need to look for it right now; the internship I did while studying at Viet My University was a great opportunity for them to keep me. The important thing is how hard I work. Once I'm financially stable, I'll take my parents on a trip and then start a beverage business as a side hustle! 

APC: That's a clear and worthwhile goal! I hope you achieve your goals and have a wonderful time at APC! Thank you for chatting with me.

Author: Viet My College - Date written: August 14, 2018

Category: Student life, Hotel and restaurant management

Tags: APC, caodangvietmy, Insomnia, Student Life