[Research Contribution] Higher Education 5.0 – Correct Understanding to Choose the Right Major: 8 Points for Thorough Understanding – Part 1

20 June, 2025

In the context of a constantly changing labor market, choosing a major is no longer synonymous with a fixed career. The concepts of “right fields”, “related fields” or “study what you do” are gradually becoming outdated as students need to be equipped with flexible thinking, macro vision, and comprehensive capacity. With the theme “Higher Education 5.0 – Correct Understanding to Choose the Right Major: 8 Points for Thorough Understanding”, the Live Talk on Sustainable Career Orientation 5.0 of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) will bring a new perspective for Gen Z to understand the connection between field – career – personal capacity and build a sustainable development strategy.

Live Talk has the participation of speakers and leading experts in the field of career orientation and the labor market: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Quang Hung – Vice President of UEH; Senior HR expert Tieu Yen Trinh, Founder and General Director of Talentnet company, and MC Tuyen Tang.

Choosing a major is not the same as choosing a career

MC Tuyen Tang: When it comes to choosing a major and a career, up to the current time, I have noticed that most young people still hold a common notion that “choosing a major will lead to following that career.” In the modern context, is the notion that choosing a major is linked to following a specific career being appropriate, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Quang Hung?

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Quang Hung: In fact, this is not just a few opinions; rather a common perception in society, especially deeply influenced by Vietnamese cultural traditions with the philosophy of “mastering one profession will bring glory to one’s life.” Because of this viewpoint, many people have made the mistake of choosing a major with the expectation that after graduation they will work in the right profession in that field.

However, this viewpoint is fraught with risks, especially in the current context of strong economic and social fluctuations, as well as the rapid development of technology that directly affects the working environment. Therefore, we need to have a clearer and more accurate understanding of choosing a major. We need to avoid defaulting to a major that is tied to a fixed career in the future.

In the context of a constantly changing and multi-dimensional labor market, higher education institutions have made adjustments to their training programs. They focus on building more comprehensive and interdisciplinary programs while equipping students with diverse and flexible professional skills, helping learners to acquire new knowledge, quickly adapt to the working environment, and meet diverse career needs.

Another important point is that when choosing a major, students need to broaden their thinking to understand which field the major belongs to in the career hierarchy of Vietnamese higher education. For example, if they do not have specific interests or competencies in the major, if their core competencies are suitable for a larger field like business or management, students can choose that field and easily acquire specialized knowledge for many different careers.

On the other hand, it is possible to study one major but work in another profession, for example, students studying accounting or marketing can switch to human resource management or information technology. Nowadays, career fields are no longer limited to a single discipline; actually, this requires the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge, creating added value in work.

Ultimately, choosing a major should be based on one’s own abilities, interests, passions, and the basic knowledge acquired during undergraduate studies. On this foundation, learners can build their own professional identity, which is the foundation that helps them adapt and develop sustainably in a changing labor market.

MC Tuyen Tang: Higher education has also made changes towards a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary training model to equip students with new thinking and practical application skills, suitable for the diverse and changing needs of the labor market. Tuyen is very eager to hear the views of Ms. Tieu Yen Trinh – an expert closely connected to the practice of the labor market.

In your opinion, how is the choice of major associated with choosing a career currently viewed from the perspective of the labor market?

Expert Tieu Yen Trinh: First of all, for students when choosing a career, their thinking should no longer be limited to choosing a specific major; on the other hand, they should have a macro vision, recognizing the socio-economic development of the country in the new era. For example, current key areas like high-tech agriculture, tourism, e-commerce, manufacturing, and information technology are all important areas contributing to the overall development of the country.

Therefore, the chosen field of study needs to be placed in the context of the general development field so that learners understand that knowledge of the field of study is the foundation, and career choice is the flexible application and development of personal capacity in that field.

The most important point is starting from yourself: clearly understanding your passion, aspirations, and long-term development orientation in the next 5 to 10 years. The foundation of personal capacity, similar to that of Maslow’s theory of needs, is the decisive factor in building a sustainable career.

Building core competencies in multidimensional thinking, problem solving, and critical thinking is the key to helping learners enter any future career, no matter how the field changes. This is also the development direction of liberal arts university programs in Vietnam and internationally.

In addition, personal interests and personality will help choose a suitable career: people who like business can aim for sales, marketing; those who love research and analysis can choose a career in science or technology; and those who are passionate about technology can work in the IT field, especially when technology is being widely applied in all industries, like AI combined with healthcare, finance, and education.

For example, a person who studies pharmacy does not necessarily have to be a traditional pharmacist but can develop in the fields of biomedical technology, healthcare-related financial technology (phartech, medtech, fintech), in which they combine technical skills and pharmaceutical expertise.

In summary, my perspective includes three main points: (1) an overview of the country’s key industries; (2) choosing a career based on personal interests, personality and abilities; (3) building diverse capacities and skills to adapt and to develop a sustainable career in the context of a constantly changing labor market.

Most importantly, learners need to have a career-oriented mindset, not just a short-term job; concurrently, they must have a clear vision of career development in the next 5 or 10 years, building aspirations and a sustainable development strategy.

The eternal story: Right field, related field, and what to study to have many career opportunities? If you don’t study the right major, can you do the right job?

MC Tuyen Tang: Through the recent discussion between the two guests, it can be seen that the concept of “choosing a major means choosing a career” is no longer suitable in the current context because of the constant changes of society and the increasingly diverse and complex demands of the labor market.

The problem here is how to expand the awareness and thinking of middle and high school students, those who are still limited by this outdated concept. First of all, as Ms. Tieu Yen Trinh mentioned, we need to encourage them to have a comprehensive, macro view, that is, to expand the “big picture” to identify which key economic sectors are oriented for national development. Based on this, they will determine the intersection between practical needs and their own abilities and strengths. Concurrently, combined with the sharing of Prof. Bui Quang Hung, the choice of undergraduate major needs to be closely linked to the trend of innovation and continuous updating of society.

It is equally important that students themselves need to be proactive and responsive in updating their knowledge and nurturing a spirit of lifelong learning. This is the premise for them to build a distinct career identity, to improve their competitiveness, and to expand their job opportunities. When the job market fluctuates, they will be less confused and bewildered by that change. This can be seen as an important first step to help them gradually eliminate the constraints of thinking that “choosing a major means having to be associated with a fixed career right after graduation”.

However, a common concern of most middle and high school students, as well as many new graduates, is whether concepts like: “right field”, “related field” or “which field is easy to get a job” has been holding an important position when making a decision to choose a major or not? Ms. Tieu Yen Trinh, what is your opinion on this issue?

Expert Tieu Yen Trinh: In reality, students today have a great advantage in accessing a rich and diverse source of information, from tools like Chat GPT, Google and so on to many other platforms. However, this abundance of information sometimes becomes a challenge in choosing the right career.

Therefore, it is important for students to rely on an overview and the country’s macro development trends, as Tuyen emphasized. Along with that, it is extremely necessary for students to conduct competency assessments, personality tests, and career interest tests. These tools help students realize which fields they are truly suited to, flexibly applying the results in choosing a major.

In addition, students also need to proactively “knock on the door” of prestigious training institutions, branded universities with high employment rates after graduation, like University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) or other schools so as to better understand the characteristics of the major, job opportunities, and necessary skills. When filling out the application, students should make a diverse plan, including 3 to 5 alternative options to avoid falling into a passive state if they are not admitted to their first choice. This will help students gain confidence and reduce psychological pressure during the decision stage.

In addition, direct contact with predecessors, especially alumni who are working, helps students have a more realistic view of future jobs. It should be noted that the dream of a career image may not coincide with the reality of the labor market and the nature of the job; therefore, these practical experiences are extremely valuable.

Every career has its own strengths and weaknesses, and no job is perfect. However, when a career can connect with your passion and desire, perseverance and hard work will be much easier.

Finally, I recommend that students regularly discuss and consult with academic advisors, teachers, recruitment companies, and career consulting units to get the most comprehensive and multi-dimensional information. This helps students broaden their perspectives and make informed, flexible decisions with at least 3 options, creating peace of mind when embarking on their future career development journey.

Choosing a University: Reputation, Quality, or Nurturing Environment?

MC Tuyen Tang: In the period when students are approaching the first important decision of their lives – choosing a university, many students are wondering what 3-5 options they should prepare. Simultaneously, different opinions also appear: (1) should prioritize brand reputation; (2) focus on training quality; or (3) choose an environment that nurtures and develops comprehensively. Prof. Hung, what is your opinion on the optimal criteria that middle and high school students need to consider to make the most secure decision?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung: There is a folk saying: “Performance is temporary – class is forever”. However, the concept of class here is not purely synonymous with reputation, but is the crystallization of a prestigious brand and the ability to self-adjust performance to meet the needs of society, especially the needs of the future labor market.

Therefore, my advice is that you should choose a training institution that has both a strong brand and a flexible academic ecosystem that promotes the spirit of autonomous learning, a factor that Ms. Tieu Yen Trinh emphasized.

University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City is a concrete example: in the past 5 years, the University has restructured, internationalized their programs, developed a “glocal” strategy – global thinking but closely linked to local practices – and quickly adjusted to social and job market fluctuations. The training program closely follows the United Nations’ sustainable development goals framework, aiming to form global citizens who act locally.

The academic environment at UEH is dynamic and multicultural, with international lecturers, students, and teaching methods that always encourage lifelong learning, allowing learners to continuously update their knowledge to adapt to all changes.

In short, the optimal choice is to combine reputation, quality, and an appropriate approach that will be a solid “ticket” for candidates to enter the University threshold.

MC Tuyen Tang: Ms. Trinh, what do you think about UEH’s global strategy – connecting global values with local needs?

Expert Tieu Yen Trinh: I do completely agree with that. UEH is currently one of the leading educational brands, highly appreciated by employers not only for its reputation but also for their quality and dynamism in reform.

UEH University continuously expands practical internship opportunities for students, a decisive factor in helping learners connect with businesses early. However, the remaining 50% of success depends on the initiative of the students themselves. I often advise students to approach the internship environment right from their first year. Early experience allows for timely adjustment of majors while building a capacity profile that meets international recruitment standards, especially ESG criteria and sustainable development that businesses are prioritizing.

In addition, parents and students need to consider their financial capacity to choose a suitable path, and simultaneously build at least three backup plans. Most importantly, students must proactively seek internship opportunities in a professional, challenging environment – a place that helps to practice their discipline, skills, and a spirit of creating value.

When submitting a job application, businesses highly appreciate internships that make a real contribution. Therefore, internships are no longer just “a passing time” but an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to create value. This is what will make the difference between proactive students and the rest.

Changing Universities Help Learners Adapt: Multidisciplinary Training

MC Tuyen Tang: We have just received valuable sharing from the representatives of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City regarding the training orientation according to the Glocal model – combining global thinking and the ability to solve local problems. This model not only helps students develop systemic thinking, understand the global picture, but also improve the ability to adapt to local characteristics.

In addition, Ms. Tieu Yen Trinh’s point of view adds an important aspect to the university learning journey, which is the initiative of students in seeking and taking advantage of practical experience opportunities. In fact, modern employers not only appreciate a solid knowledge base but also the ability to self-study, flexibility and responsiveness in responding to change, and the ability to apply social skills and soft skills to adapt to a diverse and changing working environment.

Therefore, the question is, in the context of choosing a university, which criteria should students and parents base on to ensure the most correct and effective decision?

Tuyen knows that the current training program of UEH integrates sustainable development elements, including the application of knowledge related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (17 SDGs). May I invite Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bui Quang Hung to share more about the content of this training program, especially how the University implements and integrates sustainable development goals into education?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung: Sustainable development has become an inevitable trend in the current context, especially when natural resources are increasingly scarce and socio-economic systems are facing urgent challenges. Therefore, all organizations, from businesses to universities, must put sustainability at the top of their operational strategies.

At the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), we have built a development strategy focusing on the Multidisciplinary and Sustainable model. Within the framework of this strategy, the University has quickly adjusted the training program structure to meet the needs of developing sustainable knowledge, skills, thinking, and attitudes for students.

Specifically, the University has designed compulsory and elective courses directly related to sustainable development, such as courses on sustainable development, psychology, entrepreneurship, design thinking, data science, and soft skills. These courses equip learners with systematic thinking, deep awareness, and action skills in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

In addition, in each subject of the training programs, sustainable development factors are systematically integrated based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, helping learners understand and apply their knowledge, thinking, and skills to meet the needs of society and the modern labor market.

In addition, the University proactively develops new training programs that are in line with sustainable development trends and future human resource needs like programs on ArtTech – a combination of art and technology – and programs for positions such as Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), an increasingly important title in coordinating sustainable development activities in businesses.

In addition, the undergraduate and master’s programs in Sustainable Business Management, or courses in smart urban design, urban management, and urban resilience, are the evidences of UEH’s flexible and appropriate changes over the past 5 years. These changes have helped graduates effectively meet the demands of the labor market and contribute positively to the country’s sustainable socio-economic development.

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from UEH with the message “Research Contribution For All – Research for the Community”. UEH cordially invites readers to the next UEH Research Insights newsletter.

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The Sustainable Career Orientation Live Talk Series 5.0 “Empowering Tomorrow”, organized by University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City – UEH, broadcast on UEH and VnExpress, is a project that accompanies parents and students through connecting 3 aspects in the career selection journey of the young generation: (1) Understanding personal career inclinations; (2) Understanding future trends in the 5.0 era; (3) Understanding educational trends of the 5.0 world. With the 3 “Understandings”, students will be able to choose the right major and be “satisfied with their choice”.

News and photos: UEH Department of Communications and Partnerships