[Work-Study] From Idea to Reality
May 6, 2021
Since the start of the Work-Study program, a budget of approx. VND 500 million has been disbursed for students in 40 positions. Appreciating the practical values that students bring, VinUniversity reckons that this a win-win situation. VinUniversity students who are only 18, 19 years old have soon been facilitated to work in a professional setting at VinUniversity’s departments to obtain educational working experience and meet living expenses at the same time.
Let’s meet a Research Assistant to get to know about her experience of the Work-Study program:
- Speaking of your experience, does the reality meet your expectation?
Given the fact that I was a freshman, I thought the team was going to cut me some slack. But in reality, we are treated as working adults and are expected to apply a variety of skills and be mentally prepared to stay afloat.
- Has the thought of resigning ever crossed your mind?
Yes, it certainly has. My work seems repetitive once in a while. My friends those work in other departments have quite urgent deadlines to deliver within just a few hours. In general, our work requires perseverance and proactivity in every task, as well as a good mentality to not crack under the pressure.
- So why do you choose to stay until the end?
I understand that the workplace does not center around me and is much less so about how I feel. If my work is not completed for a reason, that might adversely affect a team’s collective effort. I have chosen to be there for my “colleagues” instead. Words of encouragement and genuine appreciation just for being a member in the team also kept me through the process. Moreover, after 3 months of working, it really dawned on me that we all learn to multi-task and manage our time more effectively, juggling between performing academically and completing the job in a sensible manner.
After 3 months of Work-Study program, the program has received positive feedbacks from both students and VinUniversity’s departments. Last week, the second Work-Study Fair was organized by the students themselves. What was different from the previous exhibition was that instead of standing on the stage to introduce about the positions, the departments had “colleagues” this time, a team of 3-month interns, on the stage to share about their hands-on experiences. A number of applications have been received to different positions in the school. We wish the applicants to have another successful Work-Study program and gain valuable experiences from there.
