VNUK: Could you please introduce yourself briefly?
My name is Ngô Lê Huy Hiền. I am an alumnus of the Computer Science and Engineering program at the Vietnam-UK Institute for Research and Training (VNUK), University of Danang, class of 2016–2020. Right after graduating as the valedictorian at VNUK, I was admitted to the Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) program in Green Networking and Cloud Computing (GENIAL) with a full scholarship from the European Commission to study in the UK, France, and Sweden from 2020 to 2022.
After two years studying in Europe, I graduated with Distinction, earning four joint master’s degrees from the program. I feel very lucky and grateful because during my studies, I had the chance to participate in many fully-funded international programs that allowed me to visit over 40 countries and territories worldwide. Beyond academic achievements, this is probably the luckiest and happiest experience I have had throughout my education journey.
After completing my master’s degree, I began searching for a job in the UK, which was not an easy journey. The UK is one of the most competitive job markets in Europe, especially for non-permanent residents like myself. To find a suitable position, people often have to submit hundreds of applications over several months. But after much effort and persistence, I was very fortunate and grateful to become a Product Owner at a tech company in London, with a salary beyond my expectations. This was an important step forward in my career.
VNUK: Working as a manager in the UK—a very competitive job market in Europe—must come with many challenges. How do you feel about that?
Before coming to London, I had the opportunity to work on various tech projects in Vietnam and other countries. But when I first joined the company in London, I realized that the working environment here was far more complex than what I had previously known.
One of the challenges I faced was cultural and linguistic integration. When I first started working with native British colleagues, I felt like an outsider. Although I had studied and used English for work for many years, understanding idiomatic expressions and everyday slang required me to learn deeply to fully grasp the hidden meanings or simply to understand colleagues’ jokes. I started learning to listen more carefully and express my opinions more tactfully. I also learned to respect and leverage cultural diversity to enrich my communication.
Besides that, the working culture in the UK is quite different. With high professionalism and focus, especially in a managerial role, my daily meetings are often very packed. I had to quickly and continuously improve my time management and interaction skills in this environment. Moreover, the UK workplace is highly competitive, and conflicts are inevitable in management roles. Therefore, I learned a lot about handling things more flexibly, being more cautious, and resolving conflicts constructively.
Working and studying in multiple countries also broadened my perspective on information technology. I learned that no technology solution is absolute and each country approaches problems differently. This made me more flexible in finding solutions and making comprehensive decisions at work.
VNUK: How did your studies at VNUK help you during your master’s program and working in an international environment?
The program at VNUK provided me with a solid foundation in IT, including programming skills, project management, and soft skills. Also, being exposed early to English language and British culture at VNUK helped me somewhat in adapting to the working environment in the UK.
VNUK: If you were to share about one lecturer who had the most positive influence during your four years at VNUK, who would it be?
I would say the lecturer who influenced me most positively during my four years at VNUK is Mr. Trần Thế Vũ. He is not only an excellent teacher in his field but also a dedicated mentor who inspired me from my very first days at the school. He helped me develop a strong professional knowledge base and always supported me wholeheartedly, creating opportunities for me to participate in many domestic and international activities during my time at VNUK. I am truly grateful for his guidance and influence, which laid the foundation for my first achievements. I sincerely thank him!
VNUK: CSE (Computer Science and Engineering) has been a “hot” major recently, meaning the job market is highly competitive. As someone experienced, what advice would you give to current students in this field?
I believe CSE is a very important and promising field with rapid scientific development today. Therefore, to overcome future job market competition in this field, you need to build a solid core professional knowledge, continuously update yourself on new technology trends, and develop a strong self-learning ability. To progress deeper in your career, you also need some creativity and know how to integrate and develop your unique skills.
During your time at VNUK, I think CSE students should take every opportunity to join projects and practical environments. Nowadays, there are many chances to gain experience, such as hackathons, programming contests, startup competitions held locally or nationally, internships at companies, or clubs organized by the university. I believe practical experiences during study will help you improve your skills and expand your professional network, forming a solid stepping stone for your future career.
VNUK: Thank you for sharing, Huy Hiền. We wish you continued success on your chosen career path.
