At the European Education Fair held on October 19th, representatives from 60 universities and businesses held discussions and provided career guidance to help Vietnamese students plan their studies abroad and find job opportunities in European Union (EU) countries.
During the career prospects discussion session, many young people asked entrepreneurs and experts: What knowledge and skills should students prepare during their studies to secure job opportunities in Europe after graduation?
Representatives from a German university provided parents and students with information about study abroad policies and scholarships.
PHOTO: UYEN PHUONG LE
Language plays a crucial role.
In the context of globalization, according to Asun Pletie, Head of Training at Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), language is a crucial tool for students to integrate into the host country. "My first piece of advice for international students is to learn the local language, because understanding the language will improve communication skills, helping students integrate and connect more easily," Asun Pletie shared.
Besides the global language of English, students who know native languages such as German, French, or Spanish will have a competitive advantage when applying to multinational corporations. Irina Nicoleta Simion, Head of International Relations at the University of Strasbourg (France), stated that in France, French is mandatory in some fields related to social sciences , culture, and arts. "English may no longer be necessary," she added.
Ms. Huynh Do Bao Tam, a Master's graduate who studied abroad on an Erasmus+ scholarship, shared that during her studies and work in European countries such as Belgium, Germany, and Portugal, local language skills are crucial for finding employment opportunities. "Businesses won't choose international employees who hinder communication with them. Proficiency in the language also helps employees adapt quickly to company processes and culture," Ms. Bao Tam emphasized.
Ms. Bao Tam, M.Sc., advises students on the Erasmus scholarship program.
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Understanding the difficulties international students face when learning a native language, many universities in Europe offer free language courses. Professor Monika Frey-Luxemburger of Hochschule Furtwangen University stated, "Our university offers free German language courses, arranged to fit the schedules of international students." She also emphasized that students should enroll in language classes from their first semester to best prepare for future careers.
It's not just about professional qualifications.
Welcoming over 12,000 international students from 156 different cultures each year, Irina Nicoleta Simion asserts that it's not professional qualifications but intercultural skills that are the key factors in helping international students stand out and easily impress employers.
"Intercultural skills involve understanding, respecting, and effectively communicating with people from different cultures. When students learn to adapt and accept each other's differences, they will more easily integrate, learn, and work in a multicultural environment, thereby improving work performance and minimizing conflicts," Irina shared.
Representatives from the University of Strasbourg encourage international students to learn how to adapt to a multicultural environment.
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Sharing the same view, Asun Pletie believes that a potential international employee is someone who actively integrates into a new culture. "To prove they are a good fit for the company, candidates need to show they are part of the local community. If they only stick to familiar circles like friends and hometown food , students will miss the opportunity to fully experience the local culture. This unintentionally makes them seem 'outsider' in the eyes of recruiters," Asun commented.
Regarding professional knowledge, according to William, a speaker at a seminar on career opportunities in European businesses, only 5% of university knowledge is directly applied to work, while the remaining 95% may be forgotten or rarely used. Therefore, instead of chasing academic achievements, students should learn more soft skills, the most important of which is logical thinking.
Mr. William advised students to cultivate logical thinking skills and proactively learn new things.
PHOTO: UYEN PHUONG LE
"This skill trains you to approach and solve problems quickly and efficiently, while also improving your interaction and teamwork skills with colleagues, increasing work efficiency. In addition, logical thinking allows you to learn new things very quickly," William explained.
Having been a student at Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands), Dang Phuong Linh, a member of the advisory board of the EU Alumni Network, observes that Vietnamese students are quite diligent and quick-witted. "Vietnamese people are very eager to learn, actively absorbing and developing new things, which is a crucial skill when working in Europe. It helps us to know a lot, understand a lot, become a versatile employee, and have a competitive advantage over local colleagues," Phuong Linh added.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-tang-co-hoi-lam-viec-tai-chau-au-du-hoc-sinh-viet-can-lam-gi-185241020180522558.htm
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