For Phan Thanh Tâm – a former HUFLIT student from the Public Relations program, class of 2008 – his journey is a vivid testament to the saying, “The profession chooses the person.” His passion for technology and marketing began to ignite in his final years at university, when he ventured into the world of online marketing – a relatively new field at that time.

From those first steps shaped in HUFLIT’s classrooms to the present day, Mr. Tâm now serves as the E-commerce B2B Development Manager at PNJ Production, where he continues to leverage his skills, resilience, and relentless learning spirit on his professional journey.

A 12-year journey of growth in E-commerce

Thanks to HUFLIT’s up-to-date and practical training program, he and his classmates were able to gain early exposure to foundational skills, especially during the period when Facebook was still emerging and e-commerce platforms like Tiki, Lazada, and Shopee were beginning to take shape. With an adaptive mindset and curiosity about digital transformation trends, he gradually defined his career path in e-commerce, moving from B2B (business-to-business) approaches toward direct-to-consumer (B2C) strategies.

After graduating in 2012, he accumulated experience through various roles, always treating each career milestone as a valuable “touchpoint.” By 2024, he officially joined PNJ, taking on the role of building and developing a specialized department to meet the increasingly demanding needs of the company. Despite many years of experience in technology and e-commerce, entering the jewelry market – a highly specialized sector – posed significant challenges.

From understanding products to researching consumer behavior, particularly in the B2B segment of the jewelry industry, all required him to relearn and approach the work with humility and a willingness to listen to colleagues and predecessors, constantly striving to improve himself.

HUFLIT Foundation: Learning to Be a Person, Learning a Profession

Looking back on his four years at university, Mr. Tâm affirms that choosing to study at HUFLIT was one of his best decisions. He shared that each semester at the Faculty of International Relations & Communication (formerly the Faculty of International Relations) brought exciting experiences. Course content was continuously updated, and the dedicated guidance of experienced lecturers helped him gradually develop professional competence, readying him for a professional working environment. In addition, extracurricular activities organized by the university’s Student Union and clubs helped him hone essential skills for his future career.

Upon entering the real working environment, Mr. Tâm gradually realized that flexibility and adaptability are indispensable “keys,” especially in a constantly changing market. His experience at HUFLIT made him appreciate the university’s proactive approach in updating trends and adjusting the curriculum to align with practical demands, always putting the learner’s experience at the center. This ensured that students not only absorbed knowledge but were also equipped with the confidence and skills to leverage their strengths throughout their professional journey.

One lesson that has remained deeply with him to this day is the principle of How to Win Friends and Influence People, introduced to him from the very first semester. For him, it was not just a communication skill but a subtle art of interaction, helping build trust, foster goodwill, and maintain positive relationships in both work and life.

Sending a message to HUFLIT students pursuing E-commerce, especially those aspiring to work in large corporations, Mr. Tâm emphasized the importance of proactively identifying the type of company they want to aim for after graduation, while also equipping themselves with a T-shaped skill development strategy (deep expertise in a specific field – the vertical bar of the T – and broad foundational knowledge across multiple areas – the horizontal bar of the T).

“Don’t just sit and wait for opportunities,” Mr. Tâm shared, “start by accumulating knowledge, gaining practical experience, and maintaining connections with teachers who have always supported and guided you.” Above all, he added: “Give your all during your university years to make your youth truly remarkable”.