Tran Anh Ngoc, 22, an audit major, represented nearly 5,000 new graduates in a speech at the graduation ceremony on August 26.
Ngoc attended the High School of Natural Science for Gifted Students at Vietnam National University in Hanoi. Her class majored in chemistry, so her family hoped she would go to medical college and become a doctor.
But Ngoc had her own plans: while continuing her studies in biology, she also focused on physics to open herself up to other options.
In grade 12, Ngoc decided to drop out of medical school.
“I chose auditing because I like working with numbers and care about details and accuracy. The demands in this field fit my personality,” she said.
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Tran Anh Ngoc (center) holds a certificate of merit and flowers presented to him by Professor Pham Hong Chuong, Rector of the National University of Economics (right), and Associate Professor Dr Bui Duc Tho, President of the University Council. , at a graduation ceremony on August 26, 2023. University photo |
Unlike many other freshmen, Ngoc had no problems in his freshman year at college. She quickly caught up on the lessons and appreciated the additional self-study.
Ngoc said she loved studying and didn’t work part-time while studying so she could focus on her academic programs. She didn’t feel bad about concentrating on her major classes and not taking extra programs at school.
“Besides their professional knowledge, the teachers also talked about the job market, shared real business stories and their own life experience. One can learn a lot,” she said.
During her third year, Ngoc passed several rounds of selection, including a professional test and interviews to secure an internship at auditing giant Ernst & Young.
Ngoc said she heard about the work pressure at the company and was able to experience it first-hand during the four-month stay starting in December 2022.
As an intern, she had to take an out-of-town business trip at least once a week and regularly had to stay up late to meet deadlines.
Ngoc now works for a major bank in Hanoi as an assistant in the internal audit department. She plans to study a master’s degree in fintech.