Stories

As an alumna since 2020, her journey in the fast-paced tech world has been filled with remarkable insights. From her beginnings as a shy and introverted graduate, she has transformed into a connector, building vital business partnerships and continuously advancing her growth in technology.

Finding her path in Technology, Trang started with Ownego

Reflecting on her early career, Trang applied to numerous startups and corporate companies, facing multiple unsuccessful interviews across various positions. Taking time to analyze her internship experiences, she discovered a pattern – many companies that had chosen her were in technology. After customizing her resume to align with the market, she secured her first position at Ownego, a moment she describes as destiny.

At Ownego, then a small startup with secured initial funding, Trang took her very first professional step here, and even got to lead several projects while engaging in innovative initiatives. As a Product Marketing specialist for Teeinblue, she advanced to the Product Owner role, gaining valuable insights into both marketing and technological expertise.

Having the chance to work with the company’s leaders, she received many hard questions back then, one she can’t forget was “Why does a technology product need that much branding?”. As a fresh graduate, Trang couldn’t fully answer that question. Little did she know that years later, she would return to Qikify with the expertise to lead major marketing projects that would transform the company’s brand growth.

Her journey didn’t stop in Vietnam but expanded to Singapore and Australia

Later on, her career path led her to a remote role with Inknoe, a Singapore-based EdTech company. During her time here, Trang observed exemplary brand-building strategies. “They followed Microsoft’s approach, making both teachers and employees their brand ambassadors,” she explains. “This strategy helped create product awareness even before potential customers realized they needed it.” These experiences reinforced her belief that building a strong brand is essential from day one, touching every stakeholder along the way.

And before returning to Qikify, Trang spent time studying in Australia – an experience that changed her perspective of community and connection. “Living abroad taught me to put aside my pride and connect with others,” she shares. Despite being naturally shy, she learned to step out of her comfort zone, talk to new people, and ask for help when needed. “I realized that we shouldn’t let our ego prevent us from connecting with people,” she says. This mindset later helped her land her current role through networking.

These international experiences proved transformative, shaping both her professional approach and personal growth. From Singapore’s innovative business strategies to Australia’s collaborative culture, each destination added a unique layer to her professional toolkit. The lessons learned abroad would become the cornerstone of her future career later on.

At Shopify today – also a product of Qikify, Trang has come full circle and come back with a completely different perspective.

As Business Partnership Manager, what once felt like obstacles in her early career now serve as valuable lessons she uses to guide her team. When she first started, every challenge seemed overwhelming. Now she sees them as stepping stones for growth.

Her leadership style has evolved to become more thoughtful and inclusive. She believes that true leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about creating an environment where everyone can contribute their best. This approach has paid off remarkably – under her guidance, her team transformed Shopify from a simple e-commerce app builder in 2020 into a prominent market leader by 2024, achieving unprecedented growth and brand value.

What makes her most proud isn’t just the numbers, but how they got there. The success story isn’t hers alone – it’s the result of every team member bringing their unique strengths to the table. Through her journey, she has proven that when you focus on building strong relationships and trust within your team, the results naturally follow. Her evolution from a junior marketer to a respected leader showcases how embracing challenges and prioritizing team collaboration can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Five years after graduation, Trang shares what she’s learned along the way. With a warm smile, she offers two key pieces of advice for recent graduates: “Don’t be afraid to try new things” and “Stay calm when things get tough.”

Like many new graduates, she faced the challenge of job stress early in her career. But instead of rushing through everything, she learned that taking time to find the right work-life balance was crucial.

“Every challenge is actually a chance to grow,” she says, encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone. Her career in tech has shown that staying flexible and always being willing to learn leads to success.

One of her biggest discoveries wasn’t about technical skills at all – it was about people. Building connections with others has not only helped her career but also allowed her to help fellow graduates start their own journeys.

Have an inspiring story to share? We’d love to hear from other graduates! Contact us at alumnirelations@buv.edu.vn