»I feel like what I’m doing genuinely makes a difference«
During his final year at university, Dương Hiếu Nghĩa made a life-changing decision. Just one academic essay away from completing his finance degree, he chose to leave finance behind and accept a job in advertising.
Through his time in advertising, Nghĩa explored various industries and roles, including account management, design, and marketing.
Despite the excitement, Nghĩa felt something was missing. The long hours and tight deadlines often centred on products that didn’t resonate with him, leaving him longing for more meaningful work.
»It was hard to measure the impact of what I did. Not just in sales, but in how it affected people’s lives.«
His turning point came while promoting a coding school, where he realised coding could bring purpose to his career.
»I felt that coding could help me create something meaningful, giving my career real purpose.«
Dương Hiếu Nghĩa
Senior Consultant
Changing directions
Working at the coding school opened Nghĩa’s eyes to the purposeful career he had been searching for. Determined to pursue this new direction, he began studying in the little free time he had outside of work. However, balancing a demanding full-time job with his studies soon proved unsustainable.
Realising he needed to commit fully, Nghĩa made another life-changing decision: he left his job to become a full-time student. To avoid worrying his family and friends, he chose to keep his decision private.
Despite his determination, landing his dream job wasn’t easy. He faced many rejections before finally securing a position as a front-end developer.
»It was pretty scary, to be honest. Especially after interviews where I wouldn’t hear anything back. That was discouraging. But eventually, I found my dream job here at Netcompany, and I don’t regret a thing. «
Creating IT solutions that matter
From leaving his finance degree behind to pursue a career in advertising, and later taking the leap into full-time coding, Nghĩa’s career has been defined by a willingness to take risks and embrace growth.
And the opportunity for continued growth is something Nghĩa values highly in his position at Netcompany.
»I don’t know of any other company here in Vietnam that invests in the growth and development of their employees like Netcompany – both the professional growth but also the personal. That was one of the things that made a big impression on me from the first interview «
When Nghĩa was asked to transition from front-end to back-end development, he saw it as yet another opportunity for development.
»The company needed someone to work on the back-end, and I said, 'Okay, bring it on'«
With each stage of growth, new projects and challenges arise, and Nghĩa finds motivation in seeing the tangible impact of his work.
» I feel like what I’m doing genuinely makes a difference in people’s lives, « he explains.
This sense of purpose – creating meaningful solutions – was something he had been searching for in his previous roles.
For Nghĩa, growth has always come from stepping outside his comfort zone. Every challenge he has taken on, from changing industries to mastering new technical skills, reflects his commitment to personal and professional development.
Looking ahead, he envisions stepping into a management role where he can share his experiences, guide others through their own challenges, and help them grow to reach their full potential.
