Success does not depend on qualifications.

GD&TĐ - Experts believe that degrees or educational qualifications are not the deciding factors for success.

The key is to have the right career path, along with equipping yourself with the necessary skills, abilities, and conditions to adapt to the labor market.

Early career guidance

According to Dr. Dong Van Ngoc, Principal of Hanoi College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, many parents and students want to attend college but are hesitant because they believe society values ​​university degrees above all else. He believes this issue needs to be viewed more flexibly. Frankly speaking, some university graduates still struggle to find suitable jobs, while many skilled workers or those who pursue vocational training or college degrees have stable incomes and good lives. This shows that career success does not depend entirely on academic qualifications or educational level.

"It is crucial for students to choose the right career path that suits their interests and strengths. When they choose the right direction, students have more opportunities to develop their skills and build a sustainable career," emphasized Dr. Dong Van Ngoc, while recommending that instead of agonizing over whether to attend college or university, students should spend time exploring their abilities, interests, and career aspirations.

"Having a university degree doesn't automatically guarantee a job. What's important is the competence and skills young people possess to be ready to enter their chosen profession," said Dr. Dong Van Ngoc, citing the example of someone who works as a hairdresser but is highly skilled, earns a good income, and lives happily.

The principal of Hanoi College of Electrical Engineering said that colleges typically train students using a 70% practical, 30% theoretical approach, closely linked to the specific job needs of businesses. Therefore, job opportunities for graduates are quite good. Because the training program is closely linked to businesses, many students find employment and receive salaries while still in school. “At Hanoi College of Electrical Engineering, some students earn between 10 and 30 million VND per month while working at businesses,” Dr. Dong Van Ngoc informed.

"A degree is just a 'ticket' to the start, it doesn't guarantee a sustainable career; the deciding factor lies in the abilities and skills acquired," stated Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

He argued that career guidance should begin not only for 12th-grade students but for students from an early age. Accordingly, at the junior high school level, students begin to more clearly express their interests, talents, personalities, and attitudes towards each subject. If they receive early guidance, they will understand that learning is not just for exams, but also a preparation for their long-term career future. This helps them develop clear motivation for learning, avoiding the mentality of studying just to pass exams or choosing subjects impulsively.

Students participate in the 2026 College and Career Guidance Fair. Photo: Nam Tran

The key to adapting to the labor market.

Emphasizing that students need to develop four core competency pillars, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam shared: First and foremost are 21st-century skills. He stressed the ability to adapt, respect differences, communicate and work in a multicultural environment, and foreign language proficiency to become global citizens.

Secondly, there is the capacity for creativity and innovation. We not only do our jobs well, but also know how to create new, distinctive value. Thirdly, there is the group of life and career skills, including discipline, responsibility, self-understanding, communication, and problem-solving. Fourthly, there is digital competence, artificial intelligence (AI), and communication.

Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam suggested that students should not only know how to use technology, but also exploit it for learning, building personal brands, and expanding career opportunities. "In the context of a rapidly changing labor market, learners need to proactively engage in lifelong learning, cultivate analytical thinking, understand societal needs, and leverage technology to develop themselves," Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam emphasized.

To avoid unemployment at age 35-40, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam advises that students need to equip themselves with two core skills: Firstly, digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI). That is, the ability to learn independently and work proficiently in a digital environment.

Secondly, mental health skills are crucial. This means developing self-motivation and maintaining resilience in the face of increasing work pressure. "When you are skilled in your profession and know how to handle situations, the modern world offers countless flexible work models for you to assert your value," Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam advised.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Phu Khanh - Vice Director of Phenikaa University, one of the most important things when choosing an educational path is to determine a career path before choosing a school. The chosen career path will be with the student for a long time. If you only choose a school without truly loving the field of study or lacking the ability to pursue it, the learning process can be very difficult. Therefore, students should prioritize choosing a career path that suits their interests and passions first, and only then consider the training institution.

Advising students to confidently choose basic science fields such as Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Phu Khanh believes that although artificial intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly, fundamental science foundations still play a crucial role, as AI is also built upon these foundations. In addition, students can consider interdisciplinary fields of study to suit their interests and meet the changing demands of the future job market.

Professor Nguyen Tien Thao, Director of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education and Training), emphasized that today's skills may no longer be sufficient for the next decade. Therefore, whether candidates have already made their choices early or are still hesitant at the threshold of making a decision, they need to clearly understand that they are not just choosing a field of study, but are choosing a journey of self-development. It's not just a decision about a degree, but also a choice of a career path to dedicate themselves to, contribute to, and serve their homeland and country.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/thanh-cong-khong-phu-thuoc-bang-cap-post774268.html