No need to wait for graduation to look for a job: The top-scoring female student from Dai Nam University "started her journey" into aviation logistics in her final year.

With a GPA of 3.5/4, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga achieved the top position in her studies, but it wasn't her first job. Nga had already been preparing for a career in aviation logistics since her final year, before officially graduating from Dai Nam University.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, valedictorian of the K16 International Business program at Dai Nam University, achieved a GPA of 3.5/4.

"Setting sights" on a job even before graduation.

Even in her final year of International Business, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga had a clear idea of where she wanted to work: Aviation Logistics Corporation (ALS), in the position of Sales Logistics. She understood that entering a corporate environment early would give her the opportunity to test her acquired knowledge and better identify the practical requirements of the profession, rather than waiting until graduation to start looking for a job.

“From my final year, I’ve always wanted to work in Sales Logistics at ALS because it’s an environment that allows me to interact directly with customers, understand the service delivery process, and how the links in the logistics chain coordinate with each other. The job also aligns with my career aspirations and offers an attractive income,” Nga shared.

Starting work early also made her quickly realize that specialized knowledge was only the starting point. Every day, Nga had to simultaneously receive and respond to customer information, coordinate with other departments, monitor service progress, and handle unforeseen situations; the job demanded quick thinking without error, flexibility without precision, the ability to handle multiple tasks at once without missing any step.

Right from her final year, Thanh Nga proactively sought job opportunities and started working in Sales Logistics at Aviation Logistics Joint Stock Company (ALS).

"In business, speed alone isn't enough; you also need to be accurate and careful. Multitasking requires prioritizing and taking full responsibility for your assigned tasks," Nga said.

Concepts like multitasking, quick thinking, and responsibility are no longer just a few skill points listed on a CV, but have become tangible requirements in her daily work, forcing her to learn to adapt and improve herself in the process of working.

From Sales Logistics to Customs Operations

After graduating, Nga continued working at ALS but switched to the position of Customs Officer, directly handling customs declarations for import and export goods. While Sales Logistics allowed her to view the industry from the customer's perspective, the new job placed Nga in a link requiring a higher degree of accuracy, with requirements related to documentation, product codes, value, origin, product policies, and regulations related to customs clearance.

A typical workday begins when the documents and authorization information for customs declaration are transferred from the Customer Service department. Nga checks the documents, prepares the declaration on the system, sends a draft for customer confirmation, transmits the official declaration, and monitors the processing results. If there are any issues, she must coordinate with the customer and relevant departments to make adjustments, ensuring that the goods are cleared according to regulations and schedule.

From academic activities at school, Thanh Nga gradually honed her self-confidence, ability to handle pressure, and teamwork skills before entering the corporate environment.

"Even a small mistake or incorrect application of product policies can affect the customs clearance process. Customs and import/export regulations are constantly changing, so those in the profession must continuously update their knowledge and be especially careful with each set of documents," Nga shared.

Two consecutive positions allowed her to view a shipment from two perspectives: what the customer needed and what requirements the goods had to meet to be shipped. This was also when the knowledge she had learned about import/export, customs, and logistics began to connect successfully with real-world work, helping Nga better understand the value of studying the right major and having the opportunity to experience the profession while still in university.

A GPA of 3.5/4 isn't the entire "capital" needed to get a job.

Thanh Nga graduated as valedictorian in International Business with a GPA of 3.5/4, receiving academic achievement scholarships for eight semesters. Outside of the classroom, she won Second Prize in Faculty-level Scientific Research, Honorable Mention in University-level Scientific Research in the 2024-2025 academic year, Third Prize in Super CEO, Third Prize in Speak to Speak, and was formerly the President of the DEC English Club.

However, it was these activities outside of the curriculum that gave Nga many opportunities to hone her presentation skills, teamwork, organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and ability to handle pressure. One experience she particularly remembers is the Super CEO competition. Behind her presentation at the competition were friends who stayed up late to refine each slide and practice each sentence; the encouragement of her teachers; and the presence of Ms. Le Thi My Ngoc and Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam at the final round.

For Thanh Nga, the greatest value after these competitions is not just the awards, but also the experiences that have helped her grow.

Nga won third prize, but what she took away from the competition was more than just the award. "A person can stand on stage alone, but they will never grow alone," Nga shared.

Upon entering the business world, Nga realized that these experiences were inseparable from her professional expertise. “The courses on import/export, customs, and logistics helped me understand the processes, handle documents, and apply regulations to real-world situations. The skills honed during my studies also helped me collaborate more proactively with colleagues and clients.”

Don't wait for work, prepare to get things done.

According to Dr. Le Thi My Ngoc, Head of the Department of Logistics and International Business, the current labor market demands that students not only possess specialized knowledge but also practical skills and the ability to adapt to the business environment.

“The Faculty aims to train generations of human resources with a solid professional foundation, capable of applying knowledge to practice, mastering technology, and adapting to the rapid changes in international supply chains and trade. Therefore, students need to be exposed to businesses during their studies,” said Dr. Le Thi My Ngoc.

The school creates the environment and opportunities; students must transform those opportunities into their own capabilities. Thanh Nga chose to start early: studying to build a professional foundation, researching and taking exams to practice problem-solving, participating in clubs to hone her skills, and entering the business world in her final year to understand what the real job entails.

From her early entry into the business world to her journey as a customs officer after graduation, Thanh Nga is steadily building her career path.

"What helps someone succeed in their job is maintaining a learning mindset. Experience doesn't come from never making mistakes, but from learning from each experience," Nga shared.

From Sales Logistics as a student to customs operations after graduation, the valedictorian's career journey has only just begun. But there's one thing Nga has done before many others: she didn't wait until graduation day to prepare for her first job.

Because opportunities may arise at any time, but to seize them, one must prepare in advance.