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Sharing from Ms. Ngoc, Cốc Cốc Project Manager.
“I had two years working in a state job, but to adapt to the so-called “stable” environment, I couldn’t see myself fitting into it. That’s why I choose to come back to my first direction since my years of university.
Working as a Tester was my “re-ignition” with the IT industry. Three years later, I found a new passion in what I do - Scrum Master. From then, being given the opportunity by my old employer, I started to work in a new role: Project Manager (PM), with every day had a new thing to learn, every day to show what I’m capable of.
Next step of my career, I join Cốc Cốc. Not just a place to help me continue the path as a successful Project Manager, working with a talented crew and having more things to learn, I also find myself a “home”. Comfortable environment, friendly colleagues, flexible working time,... there’re a lot of compliments for Cốc Cốc because now, this place is staying in a really special position in my heart.”
I. BEING A PROJECT MANAGER
“For each Project Manager, to perform their best in a position too “important” for a business, there will be a lot to master:
- Understanding of project management process;
- Managing project’s risks;
- Optimizing the tasks in a given timeline;
- Understanding of the business’s frameworks;
- And especially, communication skills, making all involved parties understand the process and follow it.
These will make a Project Manager smoothly control the project. However, a PM still meets with challenges at work. For me, joining Cốc Cốc opens a way to conquer one of my career’s biggest challenges: Being a PM to create changes when the company is applying Scrum/Agile.
To be more specific for those who first time met these terms (Scrum/Agile), here are my explanations:
- Agile is a flexible working model for a team, or company to be more efficient, and quickly adapt to changes in product development.
- Scrum is a working process, a popular way to approach Agile when a team/company wants to apply Agile in work.
If you want to know more about Project Manager, or just getting more information about Scrum/Agile, I suggest you search with “Cốc Cốc Search” now ^^
And with the changes in Cốc Cốc’s product development strategy, the application of a new model, and a new process are highly prioritized, especially for Cốc Cốc as a product-developing company. From that, the challenge for PMs is to also be highly flexible with the ever-changing nature of the work at the moment, arrange tasks to fit the optimized timeline, and help all parties to easily process their work - As all the “gears” of a company’s “machine” to spin smoothly when there are changes. Hard as it might be, experiencing that really makes you grow more and be more, right? ^^ "
II. “INTERNATIONAL” QUALITY
“Cốc Cốc is a multinational working environment, that’s why within the working process, all members of my team use English. That’s also the reason the PM job creates the opportunity for me the enhance my English communication skills, and thus, creates one of my most “special” experiences.
I still remember that meeting, when working with a Tech Lead who is a foreigner, I was totally “overwhelmed”. Though my English is good enough, I couldn’t understand a word he said. What was he talking about, what with the work we were doing at that time,... and also, I could express what I want in the same language as him. Luckily, my team was there to support, me and over time, help me enhance my English skills. Truthfully, I want to say thanks to all of them!
And that’s not the only reason I want to improve my own English. Working as a PM, learning and building up knowledge is also very important, in the condition that most of the knowledge are in English. That’s why reading and speaking English is really necessary for a PM to grow in his/her own career path.”
III. ADVICE TO YOU
“To be a good PM needs the heat of “experiences”. But before you are good, you will need a good direction. Begin as a Tester like me, or a Developer, you can always become a Project Manager. Because no matter what starting point you have, you must be a “team player” first and understand other members’ thoughts and behaviors before becoming a real PM. You can always learn from colleagues, learn from books and everyday experiences.
Besides growing in the professional aspect, always try to improve your communication skills, as well as negotiation skills.
I have some great books for you too!
Just confidently experience the work that you are truly passionate about! Because when you are passionate, you will find a way to succeed. I have tried and succeeded, what about you?”
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Ask a Senior - The series Cốc Cốc “Seniors” share their expertise and direction of career development for youngsters, helping them to have more inspiration to build the career path up ahead.