Changes in career choice trends

This year's university and college admission season have seen significant changes in students' major choices. Parents are carefully considering and guiding their children in choosing a major.

Students of Lilama 2 International Technology College (Long Thanh commune) practice on modern equipment. Photo: Cong Nghia

Dr. Nguyen Van Trung, Head of Admissions and Public Relations Department, Lac Hong University, located in Tran Bien ward, stated: "Choosing a school and a career is a very important decision in life, because the career a student chooses can be with them for their entire life. Therefore, students must research and consider very carefully and thoroughly."

Shifting towards technical fields

According to universities, through admissions and career guidance at high schools, it is evident that students are tending to shift towards choosing technical and economic fields associated with technology. These fields are also closely linked to the development trends of the labor market in the new situation, as the country is experiencing strong scientific and technical development. Especially in 2025, fields in education, military, and public security are chosen by many students, even though these fields have their own specific admission requirements.

Pham Anh Tuan, a student at Lam Nghiep High School, located in Trang Bom commune, said: "This year, I plan to apply for admission to the automotive technology major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education. One of the reasons I decided to choose this major is because mechanical engineering is one of my favorite fields. In terms of societal demand, every family currently has or will buy a car, so the demand for repair services will grow. Besides, the automotive manufacturing industry in Vietnam is developing rapidly, so I think I will have many opportunities."

Bui Trong Tan, a student at Bui Thi Xuan Primary-Secondary-High School, located in Tam Hiep ward, said he has decided to choose the logistics major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport for his future endeavors. According to Tan's research, logistics transportation is a relatively new industry in Vietnam, and not many schools offer training in this field. Moreover, Vietnam is a country with large production and export of goods, so he will pursue this industry to seize opportunities.

According to Dr. Nguyen Khac Cuong, Rector of Lilama 2 International Technology College, technical fields in universities are not too difficult to study; students only need passion to largely succeed. Besides, job opportunities are currently very abundant, and students can be hired by businesses even before graduating. In the future, job opportunities for technical students will be even greater as the country develops transportation infrastructure with many large railway projects, and all manufacturing sectors need technical labor.

Semiconductor microchip major on the rise

The 2025 university admissions season continues to witness the appeal of the new major: chip and semiconductor microchip manufacturing. This industry is predicted to remain "hot" for many years to come, as Vietnam is a focal point for investment from major technology companies in the field of chip and semiconductor microchip manufacturing. Meanwhile, the high-quality human resources in this field pose a challenge for businesses. Currently, not many schools offer training in chip and semiconductor microchip manufacturing, making it quite difficult for students to find admission opportunities.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quynh, Vice Rector of Lac Hong University, since 2024, the school has begun offering a major in semiconductor integrated circuits and is the first university in Dong Nai to offer this major. Currently, many semiconductor technology corporations have signed cooperation agreements with the school for training and ensuring job placement for students. To study this major, students must have a passion for technology and basic knowledge of mathematics and physics. In addition, students need basic English language skills to support their learning, research, and future communication.

Regarding job opportunities in this field, Associate Professor-Dr. Nguyen Vu Quynh added: "Students graduating from this major do not have to worry about job opportunities, because this industry is and will continue to need a lot of human resources for production. The government has a project to train 10,000 semiconductor integrated circuit engineers and chip manufacturers, so students benefit greatly. On the other hand, many businesses are currently willing to create conditions for students in the semiconductor integrated circuit major to intern early and be hired immediately."

Education major flourishes again

In previous years, the education major tended to have difficulty recruiting students, as candidates often prioritized choosing economics, engineering, and technology majors, but 2024 and especially 2025 have seen a resurgence. Not only students with good academic performance, but many students with excellent academic performance have also decided to study in education major, instead of other "hot" and higher-paying majors such as health, finance, and banking.

According to the Board of Directors of Dong Nai University, the resurgence in recruitment for the education major stems from the fact that policies for teachers are increasingly receiving more attention than before.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Tien, a student at Tran Dai Nghia Primary-Secondary-High School in Ho Nai Ward, said: "I decided to choose the education major after a fairly thorough research. This major currently has preferential policies for training, such as tuition fee exemption and support, and students can also receive living and study cost support. Moreover, policies for teachers are now much better than before if working for public schools, and private schools also highly need good teachers and pay high incomes."

Meanwhile, Doan Nguyen Thang, a student at Ngo Quyen High School, located in Tran Bien Ward, the top scorer in academic block A in the 2025 Dong Nai Province high school graduation exam, said he has applied for admission to the Mathematics education major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. This is a major he loves and has strived for many years to have the opportunity to be admitted. In addition to the state's training support policy, this major currently has quite good job opportunities if graduating with a good or excellent degree from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education.

Reported by Cong Nghia