Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu gradually "upgraded" herself through community activities

On every journey, steps, big or small, still mark your growth day by day. After nearly three years of working at the Community Connection Center (TT.KNCĐ) of Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (UEF), Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu - a 3rd year student of UEF You can be confident that you have been "upgraded" to a new version. Let's follow Anh Thu's story right here!

Hello Anh Thu! So happy to have the opportunity to chat with you today! Can you introduce a little about yourself?
Hi everybody! My name is Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu, from the Sketchnote For Good (SFG) project and I have been with the project since the first days of the first year, up to now the third year. Currently, I am an advisor to the project's Communications department.
 
Everyone has their own starting point. So how did your journey at TT.KNCB begin? What fate brought you to the Center?
 I think it must be a coincidence! When I joined the club before, I met Ms. Duong - the current Head of the project coordination committee in the club. At that time, I was also on the class committee, so I was very diligent in "plowing" for training points. I save all fanpages related to UEF, including the Center of Service-Learning page of TT.KNCĐ. And many other coincidences such as: Ms. Duong restarted the project, the school email sent a message that the SFG project was recruiting members, I also had a little drawing talent so I decided to join the project and join the project. Joined the Service-Learning family since first year.

During that process, does Thu feel like she has changed at all? What is the difference between before and after participating in the project?
To talk about the difference, we have to start from our home's activities first, which are reflection activities. I have developed a habit that after participating in an event, whether big or small, I will practice reflection, reflect on whether this job I am doing is suitable for me or not, is it right or not, should I do it? What to improve for the next events…
Another big change I noticed is trust. Because I used to be a person who didn't trust others easily, I tend to stick to my job. Later, I realized that if I had to work too much, I would be tired and distant from everyone, so from then on I learned to trust others. At the same time, because I am acting as an editor and a media consultant for the project, I also need to be tactful in my words and how to give feedback so that others feel that if they do something wrong, they will still be able to do it. As for opportunity, that is not what they are weak at. As the saying of my project says: "Comment, don't judge, don't criticize!"
 
You have been with the project for quite a long time - nearly 3 years. If you could compare SFG to any item, which item would you choose? Why?
I will compare the SFG project to a light bulb. Why light bulbs? In life, without light we cannot see anything, there is no light source. And when participating in the SFG project, I feel like I shine like a light bulb. I have the confidence to do what I like and have emotional freedom!


 On the journey, of course Thu will encounter certain difficulties. What difficulties have you encountered in the past?
Regarding difficulties, two things must be mentioned, the first is communication skills and the second is time management. Thu had a turning point when moving from project member to media in season three of the project. However, I was concerned when I had never held a communications position and only had a few design skills, was not a leader or had an orientation towards a communication plan for the project. However, after training with CSL and practicing more, I realized it was not that difficult and I had the opportunity to improve and develop.

Next is time management. There was a time when I was so overwhelmed with work that I couldn't complete the work on time. And when going to the meeting with the Coordination Committee, Ms. Tran Thi My Phuong (Director of the Community Support Center) and Ms. Huynh Kim Phung (Coordinator of the Community Support Center) gave a lot of advice and suggestions: I should not hold on to too much work and should be coordinated more professionally. I went home to think, reflect, and balance my time. It also took many weeks to be able to manage time as it is now. Now I am more on time with deadlines and trust other members more to share work with them.

Can you tell us about the most memorable memory from the time you joined CSL until now?
Probably Leadership Camp 2023. Up until now, when I joined SFG, I did not connect with members outside the project much. That trip brought together members from all CSL projects: C4D (Communication for Development), Heart To Hand, and Baby Smile. That's why I had the opportunity to connect with you more and have more memories. Another thing is that I have very few opportunities to work with children. When I arrived at the house to stay during the trip, I met many cute children, practiced how to coordinate them to have a complete performance, and from there realized that each child has their own strengths. Through the trip, I became more connected and learned many skills.

As for SFG, there are so many memories, but the most recent is the recent annual summary event of the Center - Kapital Ends. Because at that time everyone was happy and their efforts were recognized. After any event, I see that our "Sketch family" is closer to each other, our feelings are stronger, so I'm very happy!




 
Thu switched from being a Sketch member to working in media, so when working, where does Thu's creative inspiration come from?
I think it comes from the other members because I like working with people. For example, when building a communication plan, I will collect your ideas in the project, from there I can come up with inspiration and develop it. During the process of participating in CSL, I also realized that my strength is that I am the one who develops ideas and accompanies everyone to move forward together, not the one who is strong in creating my own. new idea. Therefore, it can be said that my inspiration comes from the people around me.

After having a little "sweet fruit" for yourself in community projects, how do you feel about the activities here?
To me, CSL is like a home, a playground where you can freely express yourself. You can know your own strengths and weaknesses, have emotional freedom, can freely share what you don't do well with others and have the opportunity to improve. Any activity or project is practical and not just based on theory, so I feel very excited and proud, and have no regrets about joining CSL.

Do you have any message or advice for fellow students?
In the past, I was often hindered by fear, so for the students, I just want to say that while we are in a good environment like this, we should study, try and Experience more, don't let fear hinder your success.

It can be said that at UEF, learning activities through community service are increasingly developing and bringing many benefits to students. As Anh Thu shared, it is a place where students can explore their full potential, while bringing a source of positive energy to the community through useful activities. Hopefully in the future, Anh Thu will accompany the Sketchnote For Good project for a long time and can devote her best as a student to community projects!