In this insightful interview, we connected with Professor Nguyen Khanh Dieu Hong, a distinguished speaker at the British Council’s East Asia Alumni UK Symposium on 7 March. Prof. Hong is currently the Vietnamese Principle of TH Schools and the Director of the Institute for Education and Human Development (EDI), Board of Trustee. During the session, she shared about her transformative journey from studying in the UK to shaping Vietnam’s educational landscape.
With the emphasis of the event on the empowerment of young scientists and individuals, Prof. Hong highlighted the crucial role of alumni networks in career development, offering invaluable advice for students and recent graduates on building meaningful connections for both their professional and personal career. She also gave invaluable advice for students and newly-graduates on how to build meaningful relationships, helping them to develop their future careers and becoming next generation’s leaders.
Can you share your experience studying in the UK and how the alumni network has supported you in both academic and personal development?
You could say that the experience studying in the UK has shaped me into who I am today, helping me develop my research mindset in scientific work. This has certainly contributed to the success I have achieved throughout my career. From my experience studying in the UK, I have gained independent research skills, and it has fostered within me the creativity and passion for my work, which enabled me to create my own research team.
The alumni network is a fantastic platform to reconnect with old friends and befriending new ones. Because of this network, I was able to connect with the UK Postgraduate alumni in the UK. I was able to meet with many successful individuals from various fields. We have had numerous opportunities for professional collaboration, such as partner introduction, talent referrals, and potential cooperation opportunities.
How have the friends and mentors you've met helped you during your career and can you provide a specific example?
If I were to choose a specific mentor for this question, it would be my PhD research supervisor, Professor Richard A.Catlow. He is a prominent figure within the scientific community in the UK and is renowned for his contributions to the field of Chemistry and Physics.
I feel extremely fortunate and proud to have been a student of his at the University College of London and the Royal Institution of Great Britain. He has inspired me to become a real scientist. During the long days I endured in the laboratory, every time I encountered a hard scientific question, he was always there to provide the answers. His mentality, lifestyle and work ethics, as well as his support every time I encountered hardship, made me determined to succeed, regardless of the difficulties I encountered.
What aspects of the UK alumni network do you consider most valuable for advancing one's professional career, such as job opportunities or mentorship, and why?
It depends on your profession as well as the opportunity you encounter within the network. For example, for a person working in HR, this might be a wonderful opportunity to hire top-tier talent, and an amazing opportunity for those looking for a suitable job or those trying to change their working environment. For those who have recently graduated, this is a rare opportunity for them to learn from their predecessors, explore different organisations that they can work in, and connect with those who share the same hobbies and passion with you. You can even reconnect with the alumni of the previous classes within a university, those who you have never met before.
In your opinion, how can the alumni network support lifelong learning and skills development while playing a crucial role in fostering long and successful professional careers?
I believe that the alumni network provides activities that can play a big role in lifelong learning and skills development. This type of diversity becomes a valuable resource, where individuals can learn from each other’s experience, exchange knowledge and get updates on the newest trends within their industry.
Many alumni networks provide consultation sessions, where experts provide advice and guidance, instruction and constructive feedback for less-experienced members. This relationship helps individuals to overcome the challenges, enabling them to make smart career decisions and develop new skills to advance in their careers.
Furthermore, the network also creates opportunities and collaborations, helping students to collaborate with one another during projects or overcoming obstacles together. Through these collaborative efforts, alumni can share knowledge or execute shared ideas, helping to elevate their professional competencies and their adaptability. Moreover, the alumni network usually provides information on new job opportunities, helping members find the jobs that they desire.
Do you have any advice for students or recent graduates on how to effectively participate in the alumni network to maximize their chances of advancing professionally and personally?
Participating effectively into the alumni network is an effective way to advance one’s career and personal development. I think that the few factors listed below will help students and those who have recently graduated to maximise the alumni network:
- Be active and communicate: Don’t wait for opportunities to come your way. Look for the alumni who have the career, experience and hobbies similar yours. Always approach them with good manners and intention.
- Find mentors, don’t just stop at creating connections: Although connections are important, a mentor who can guide you for a long time is invaluable. Look for those whose professional career you admire and ask them if they are willing to mentor or provide you with monthly guidance. These relationships can help you overcome the challenges in you personal and professional life.
- Attend events: Many alumni networks will organise events and professional online seminars. Participate in these events to gain knowledge, develop new skills and expand your network. Even if some events are online, by participating in them, you keep in touch with those you have met and meeting new alumni and those who can benefit your career greatly.
- Contribute to the network: When you are participating, you should not look to only receive, but to provide. Share your knowledge, your skills or your time to the network/community. Volunteer your time and efforts to events, speak at Career talks, or share your views will help students and other networks. Helping others will help you gain credits and referrals, opening up opportunities for a profession or collaboration in the future.
- Maintain contact and receive updates: Relationships require time to establish. After the initial conversations or connections, follow them up with a thank you message and maintain regular contact with those you have met. Share with alumni about your progress or give them updates on how their advice has helped you in your career, this will strengthen your relationship and open the doors for new opportunities in the future. Perseverance will help you maintain your network for a long time.
- Be grateful and respectful of their time: Alumni are usually busy experts; therefore, one should respect their time. Keep your messages concise, polite, and filled with gratitude. If they agree to meet up with you, prepare your questions or topics in advance to maximise your conversation. Thank them for their time and advice and let them know you highly appreciate their help.