Working four jobs simultaneously, the student from Dai Nam University realized one thing: No success comes from luck.

Becoming the top graduate in English Language Studies, being retained as a lecturer immediately after graduation, and continuing her studies for a master's degree—for Pham Thi Phuong Thanh, these achievements did not come from luck. They are the result of four years of continuous learning, proactively creating opportunities, and daring to step out of her comfort zone while simultaneously taking on four jobs while still a student at Dai Nam University.

Four jobs—tutor, teaching assistant, bilingual MC, and translator/interpreter—have become special "classrooms" that have helped Phuong Thanh grow and mature every day.

Don't wait for opportunities, create your own.

Few people know that behind achieving the title of Valedictorian in English Language Studies and holding the position of a young lecturer at Dai Nam University lies a period of time where there was almost no truly "free" day.

There are days when Pham Thi Phuong Thanh attends lectures from morning, is busy tutoring in the afternoon, assists in teaching in the evening, and spends weekends as a bilingual MC or taking on translation and interpretation projects.

Her schedule of studying and working is almost completely packed, but she has never considered it a burden. For Thanh, each job is another class outside the classroom, contributing to the preparation she needs to become a teacher.

Pham Thi Phuong Thanh, the top graduate of the English Language major for the 2021-2025 academic year, is currently a practicing lecturer in the English Language Department at Dai Nam University.

From the moment she became a student at Dai Nam University, Phuong Thanh didn't set a goal of just getting high grades. For her, university was a valuable time to accumulate experience, discover her own abilities, and prepare for her future career.

Therefore, in addition to maintaining excellent academic performance, she actively participates in scientific research, youth union activities, and academic programs of the university, and constantly seeks opportunities for practical work experience.

Thanh's first job was tutoring, and the hurried afternoon commutes from school to students' homes quickly became a familiar routine. It was those first hours in the classroom that made Thanh realize that knowing something and being able to convey it are two completely different things. For students to understand, the teacher must first know how to listen, be patient, and find the right way to communicate.

After tutoring, Thanh continued to take on the role of teaching assistant. While her first job helped her understand students, the teaching assistant environment opened up opportunities to observe how a lecturer organizes classes, manages time, handles situations, and motivates students.

Being a bilingual MC at events organized by the English Language Department helped Phuong Thanh overcome her stage fright and build confidence in front of crowds.

Not stopping there, she also tried her hand at translation and interpretation, which requires quick reflexes, flexible use of English, and accurate expression in various contexts. Each experience contributed to building her skills and professional confidence.

Step out of your comfort zone and find opportunities to express yourself.

Of the four jobs she's had, the role of bilingual MC is the challenge Thanh remembers most fondly.

In her second year of university, she was entrusted by the English Language Department to host the Sparkling Christmas 2022 event in both Vietnamese and English in front of a large audience of faculty and students. In the days leading up to the event, Thanh almost always carried her script with her to practice pronunciation, intonation, and hosting style. However, just minutes before stepping onto the stage, she couldn't hide her nervousness.

From a student sitting in a lecture hall, Phuong Thanh has now become a direct instructor teaching English skills courses to students at Dai Nam University.

"I used to be very hesitant to express myself because I was afraid of making mistakes and being judged, but it was the opportunities given by my teachers that helped me realize that only by daring to step out of my comfort zone can I discover that I can do more than I thought," Thanh shared.

After that program, what she received was not only applause but also the confidence to overcome her own fears. From a shy schoolgirl who was hesitant in front of crowds, Thanh gradually became more confident in communicating, presenting, and working with different people.

Looking back, Thanh realized that the four jobs she had held were not separate entities but rather interconnected links in a chain. Tutoring helped her learn how to listen to students; teaching assistantship helped her understand how to organize a class; bilingual MCing honed her stage presence; and translation and interpretation helped her improve her foreign language skills in a real-world environment. All of these experiences silently prepared her for the career she would later choose.

From learner to teacher

Four years of university concluded with well-deserved results, with Pham Thi Phuong Thanh becoming the valedictorian of the English Language major for the 2021-2025 academic year, achieving excellent scholarship awards in many semesters, actively participating in scientific research, student union activities, and serving as the head of the DEC English Club.

For Phuong Thanh, every experience during her student years contributed to building the professional foundation and confidence of a young lecturer.

Immediately after graduation, she was retained by the English Language Department of Dai Nam University as a practicing lecturer, while simultaneously pursuing a Master's degree in Theory and Methodology of English Language Teaching at the University of Foreign Languages - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Standing on the podium today, Thanh deeply appreciates the value of her student experiences. Her tutoring days helped her understand student psychology; her time as a teaching assistant gave her confidence in the classroom; her experience as an MC helped her stay calm in front of crowds; and her work as a translator and interpreter allowed her to use foreign languages flexibly in teaching. Each experience has become an integral part of the young lecturer's capabilities.

Pham Thi Phuong Thanh's journey is proof that success doesn't come from luck, but is built on proactiveness, perseverance, and a spirit of continuous learning.

Looking back, Pham Thi Phuong Thanh doesn't believe her success was due to luck. What transformed her from a naive high school student into a top graduate and then a lecturer at the very school she attended were simple choices she made every day: working a little harder, being a little more proactive, and not being afraid to start with the smallest tasks. For her, opportunities are never something to wait for, but something each person can create for themselves through persistent effort and courage.