Famous businessman said his first day at work was making tea, photocopying documents...

Unforgettable experience on the first day of work

Sharing with students at the VLU'S JOB FAIR 2025 with the theme "Sustainability" organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Student Support Center in collaboration with Van Lang University and TopCV Vietnam Joint Stock Company on the morning of April 12, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Quynh, Chairman of Saigon Books, recounted his first day at work after graduating from university.

Mr. Quynh said he graduated from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (now Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics) in 1994. "At that time, I was considered one of the most outstanding students of the school. After graduating, I worked at a state-owned enterprise, an oil and gas company, in the import-export department," Mr. Quynh recalled.

Mr. Quynh said that he personally thought that working there meant having very good opportunities to do big things, sign large import contracts, and go abroad...

"But on the first day of work, the boss called me over and said: "Quynh! Come here, I'll give you a job." I took the notebook. The boss listed: "Your jobs are like this. One is to make tea for everyone in the company office. Two is to order lunch for the company's colleagues. Three is to photocopy documents. Four is to type documents. Five is to submit documents to the signing department and present them to the general director's office. Next is to translate all documents from Vietnamese to English and vice versa. Along with other unnamed jobs," Mr. Quynh said.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Quynh, Chairman of Saigon Books

PHOTO: THANH NAM

Mr. Quynh continued: "When I received the first jobs in my life like that, I felt a bit sad. I shared with my girlfriend. She said, "You should quit right away, how can you accept such a job with someone with academic achievements like you, while your classmates are not as good at studying as you, the salary is calculated in USD, and there are many very good opportunities...". I was sad, hearing my girlfriend say that, I was even sadder."

However, Mr. Quynh said he did not give up early, but decided to continue working. Mr. Quynh reflected: "In fact, to make good tea, you have to learn. To photocopy two-sided documents, you have to learn. To type quickly on a computer, to type with all 10 fingers, you have to learn. To translate, you have to learn... All of those things, you have to learn to do. I did and was determined to do those jobs well. And after 6 months, I was promoted to a higher position."

The lesson Mr. Quynh learned from the above story is: "Learn to adapt. Learn to do small jobs well to have the opportunity to do bigger jobs. Don't underestimate small jobs."

Mr. Quynh advises students: "To make studying comfortable, easy, and not feel pressured, you need to determine what you are studying for and understand what the goal of studying is. Study to gain practical knowledge. Study to adapt and have the opportunity to advance. Study to get rich, study to serve society... If you consider studying with such goals, studying will be very easy."

To become a key person in the business

Also at the festival, Mr. Tran Trung Hieu, founder and CEO of TopCV Vietnam Joint Stock Company, said that in the context of AI As the world develops, it requires a new workforce with AI capabilities.

According to Mr. Hieu, the new competency framework in the AI era that young people need to have will include: self-management ability, relationship development, leadership ability, management skills, and analytical ability.

Mr. Tran Trung Hieu shares with students

PHOTO: THANH NAM

"Self-management skills will include elements such as: agile learning, emotional resilience, initiative and risk-taking, adaptive management... Leadership skills will include: strategic thinking, business acumen, courageous leadership, inspiring others, integrity, trust and credibility," said Mr. Hieu.

Regarding management skills, Mr. Hieu said they are: project management, execution management, training and talent development, managing differences, conflicts, etc.

"Regarding relationship development, it is necessary to know communication skills, teamwork, social skills and AI-based cooperation... Analytical skills will include: critical thinking, decision making, problem analysis...", Mr. Hieu shared more.

Referring to the issue that many people have recently mentioned about how Gen Z, X, Y can get along together in the working environment, Mr. Hieu said: "Currently, in the labor market, there is no longer a distinction between generations X, Y, Z. In the era of strong AI development, there is only one generation in the labor market, which is the AI gene. "Gen AI" will include people with AI capabilities, AI thinking, AI skills...".

Mr. Hieu emphasized: "Whoever has the skills to master AI will become a key person in any business."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doanh-nhan-noi-tieng-ke-cong-viec-dau-khi-di-lam-la-pha-tra-photo-tai-lieu-185250412142319752.htm