With the belief that everyone can shine in their own way, Dang Thanh Duy, an alumnus from the Software Engineering Department at the University of Information Technology (UIT), chose to begin his journey with simple yet impactful steps: studying diligently, gaining experience, and maintaining a progressive mindset. Currently, Duy works in Mexico as a Java Software Engineer in an international project at FPT Software, one of Vietnam’s largest software service companies.

The Journey to Conquer the Field of Information Technology

Every journey starts from a small point. For Duy, his professional journey began in the summer of 2016, when he was still a senior student at UIT. During an internship program organized by FPT Software at UIT, Duy decided to apply. Although the internship lasted only three months, it was his first real encounter with the actual work environment. It was his first time understanding the deadlines of a software project and experiencing teamwork in a company. Duy shared: “After the internship, I was offered a full-time position at FPT Software while still in my final year. This experience of studying and working simultaneously helped me hone my time management skills, self-learning abilities, and responsibility for both my studies and work.”

After three years at FPT Software, Duy decided to leave the company and seek new challenges. While this step was not easy, Duy, always eager to push his limits, understood that staying in his comfort zone would hinder his growth.

He moved to a small startup for six months before joining a Swiss technology company with an office in Vietnam, where he was exposed to global work standards, refined his communication skills, and learned to solve problems in a multinational environment. After over two years of experience in various settings, Duy felt ready and returned to FPT Software, this time with a greater ambition: to go global.

A Major Turning Point

The pivotal moment came in 2022 when FPT Software launched a near-shore project for a client in Mexico and needed engineers to support the project on-site. Duy’s team was selected to be the pioneer group in this North American market. “The media's portrayal of crime and violence in Mexico initially made me hesitate. However, I took the initiative to research and assess the work environment and project context thoroughly. Eventually, I decided to go, and so far, everything has been fine,” Duy said.

Although he had the opportunity to work on international technology projects, Duy’s early days in a foreign country were not easy. He recalled: “The time zone difference, cultural differences, and especially the language barrier, as Mexico speaks Spanish, made me learn Spanish while also improving my English. Initially, it was tough, but gradually, I became more confident, understood the conversations, and was able to express my ideas more clearly.” This challenging journey of acquiring knowledge to integrate into an international environment allowed him to better understand his partners and truly become part of an international team.

Work with Heart and Integrity

After years in the IT field, Duy believes that an IT engineer is not just someone who writes good code but must also understand the problem, grasp the solution, and be ready to work with the team in any situation. Duy emphasized: “No matter what position you hold, the most important thing is to take full responsibility for your work, without waiting for reminders or expecting others to do it for you. When you work with integrity and seriousness, you will naturally create a strong and lasting place for yourself.”

Working in an international environment made Duy realize that “technical skills are only one part. Equally important is the ability to communicate, present problems, engage in constructive debates, and collaborate effectively.”

Duy also shared that the most valuable lesson he has learned in his career is the spirit of self-learning: “When faced with difficulties, no one can solve the problem for you. That's when you have to figure things out yourself, ask questions, search, and patiently try different approaches. Only by truly engaging will the solution gradually appear.”

UIT - Where It All Began, Building the Confidence for International Integration

Though his career has taken him to many countries and major projects, for Duy, UIT will always be the first solid foundation, where his passion for technology was planted and his academic foundation was strengthened. “I think UIT provides students with knowledge at a high level. When you graduate, you may not need it immediately, but at higher levels, knowledge about systems and design taught at school will help you a lot.”

Moreover, for Duy, UIT not only provided knowledge but also instilled in students the way of learning—learning to understand the root of the problem, learning to solve practical problems. Especially, skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and self-learning were valuable assets that helped him adapt better in the ever-evolving tech world. Furthermore, the open, dynamic academic environment and the dedicated teachers at UIT helped transform Duy—from a student once considered “lazy and slow” into a confident engineer ready to integrate internationally.

Duy also offers advice to current IT students about learning foreign languages early: “You can learn technical skills later, but English should be honed early. Many of the students I interviewed for internships were technically strong but weak in English, and I couldn’t hire them because they couldn’t work in teams or communicate with clients.”

A Good Attitude, the Willingness to Learn – Key to Staying Ahead

For Duy, the field of Information Technology is entering a new era, where AI is no longer a trend but a core foundation, permeating all aspects of life. Unlike fleeting trends, AI is proving its sustainable application, and tech students need to learn to approach AI practically, as a tool for work, not just knowledge from books.

“Today’s IT engineers need not only technical skills but also soft skills, which will help you make a lasting impression on companies and clients. As long as you are willing to learn, willing to work, and have a good attitude, the doors to opportunities in IT will always be wide open,” Duy concluded.