Universities will change career counseling and guidance

CAREER GUIDANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Master Pham Doan Nguyen, Director of the Center for Skills Development and Career Guidance at the University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City, commented: "Students studying the new 2018 program as it is now have many changes such as having to choose elective subject combinations from grade 10, including subjects that can be used for university admission such as information technology, economic education and law, technology. These subjects have not been included in the subject combinations for university admission before. In addition, student transcripts no longer have the average score column of each semester but only the average score of each subject...".

Grade 9 students visit and receive career counseling at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade

With these changes, Master Nguyen believes that universities need to advise and guide students from secondary school so that they can orient themselves early on in their career fields. From there, they can determine the appropriate subject combinations for admission.

"Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance has coordinated with media units and high schools to carry out early career orientation programs for students about occupations, labor market needs, and changes that need to be noted when using subject combinations for admission according to the new education program," said Master Nguyen.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Thuy, Head of Admissions and Communications Department of Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City, also commented that with the current general education program, career guidance for students should be implemented as early as possible to help them shape their future jobs and careers. "Career guidance should not only be provided to students in grade 12 to choose a career to study, but also right from when they finish grade 9 and prepare to enter high school. University career guidance experts should coordinate with the team of career guidance teachers and specialized teachers of middle and high schools to help students understand careers and related subjects early on, then career guidance work will be effective."

ADJUSTING ADMISSION PLAN

Meanwhile, Dr. Nguyen Van Kha, Deputy Director of the Admissions and Communications Center of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, informed that with the 2018 General Education Program, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade also has some suitable changes. "The school will adjust some subject combinations to suit the reality of the program, the ratio of options will change compared to previous years. At the same time, the school will plan to invite high schools to bring students to visit, giving priority to students in grades 10 and 11," said Dr. Kha.

According to Dr. Kha, it is too late for students to receive career guidance until grade 12. Therefore, high schools should proactively contact universities in their area to bring students to visit and experience. "If universities participate in career guidance for students from grade 9, it would be great. Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade also invited grade 9 students to visit and experience at the school's open day. Teachers, students and parents are all very excited," Mr. Kha added.

According to Master Pham Doan Nguyen, 2025 is the first year of organizing the high school graduation exam according to the new program. Universities need to inform and issue early enrollment plans so that high schools can use that as a basis to orient students, helping them know information about admission methods, subject combinations... to have the best preparation.

9th grade students of Ha Huy Tap Secondary School (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) visit Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts

At the University of Finance and Marketing, Master Nguyen Thi Kim Phung, Deputy Director of the Center for Admissions and Business Relations, said that the school wants to accompany students sooner, implementing many career orientation activities from in-person to online on the school's digital platforms with the participation of alumni and businesses.

"Students need to decide on their career earlier, maybe from grade 9 or starting high school because this is the key time for career guidance. If possible, schools should organize many field trips to help students better understand the training environment and approach the profession... Students also need to change their thinking, they should not wait until grade 12 to think about choosing a career, but need to pay attention right from the beginning of high school", said Master Phung.

Ms. Luu Thi Lan Phuong, Deputy Director of the Admissions Consulting Center of Van Hien University, also believes that it is best for universities to approach students from the end of grade 9 to provide career counseling and guidance. At the same time, periodically at least twice in the next two years to help students learn more about the major they intend to choose to minimize the need to change majors when they become students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/truong-dai-hoc-se-thay-doi-viec-tu-van-huong-nghiep-185240929215231207.htm