Connecting with Strangers” – An Online Soft Skills Talk Show for Students Amidst the Pandemic

July 21, 2021

On the evening of July 20, 2021, an online talk show themed “Connecting with Strangers” took place, serving as a highly beneficial and intimate platform for numerous students at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry (HUFI). Conducted online during the pandemic, the event featured renowned guest speakers and drew around 300 students across three Google Meet rooms, making their "stay at home" period significantly more meaningful.

What is “Connecting with Strangers”?

The "Connecting with Strangers" talk show was a specialized workshop designed to guide students—particularly final-year students preparing for the professional world—on how to communicate, break the ice, and build relationships with newly met individuals. Additionally, the guest speakers provided valuable advice and secrets to mastering the art of winning hearts and minds through communication.

Who Were the Guest Speakers?

The two guest speakers of the program are highly respected figures in the contemporary marketing, media, business, and technology sectors:

• Ms. Tram Vo: A sales, marketing, and human resources expert with extensive experience working for foreign companies and enterprises.

• Mr. Nguyen Hoang Minh: A software engineer holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He possesses 8 years of experience in software consulting firms and another 8 years as an E-commerce Director, having previously worked for Vingroup and currently at the MoMo application.

• Host Kha Tu Le: The charming MC of the program, bringing over 10 years of experience in B2B sales across education, cosmetics, insurance, and aviation industries.

With their profound professional expertise alongside rich life and practical experience in both career and social contexts, the speakers made the "Connecting with Strangers" talk show highly practical, equipping students with valuable insights for both their current academic life and future careers.

Dare to Face Reality, the Sooner the Better

A large number of questions were sent to the organizing committee even before the event commenced. Many students expressed difficulties in breaking out of their comfort zones to confidently speak and engage with people they met for the first time.

Both speakers shared the viewpoint that a primary reason for poor communication is a lack of self-confidence—the fear of making a verbal slip, saying things no one wants to hear, or simply being perceived as "boring." However, Mr. Minh emphasized that no one is born with exceptional communication skills; it is entirely the result of continuous effort, practice, and daily interaction with diverse groups of people.

Students are encouraged to confidently step out into society, even while still at school. Once equipped with boldness and a lack of fear of making mistakes, they will dare to initiate conversations with strangers, including seniors and mentors who can offer them greater learning opportunities in the future. Only by embracing early-life obstacles can young people sharpen themselves to become resilient later on, shedding unrealistic, idealized illusions about the world.

Crucial Communication Reminders for Students

Ms. Tram Vo shared that when interviewing candidates, besides evaluating their mandatory competence, she administers specific scoring metrics for attitude and manners during the interview and the initial days on the job. Young professionals must demonstrate enthusiasm, an eagerness to learn, active listening, and a proactive yet respectful approach to talking with others—showing a positive and warm attitude without being overly aggressive.

Mr. Hoang Minh added that a student needs to possess at least three fundamental elements:

• Meticulous Preparation: Research the target company thoroughly before applying, regardless of whether it is a large or small enterprise. This demonstrates respect for the organization, meticulous preparation, and a serious attitude toward the position.

• Professionalism: Always respond to emails or phone calls from recruiters, whether or not you accept the interview invitation. It is not uncommon for recruiters to be stood up repeatedly by candidates. Regardless of the justification, such behavior guarantees you will not get a second chance.

• Communication Skills: Strive to express ideas and opinions clearly and decisively. While this cannot be mastered overnight, continuous practice will lead to daily improvement.

Listen More

A student raised a question about how they could quickly catch the rhythm of a conversation at first, only to gradually feel forgotten or left out of the discussion among friends shortly after.

"Active listening" was the ultimate secret the two guests shared to resolve this issue. In communication, one does not always need to speak or dominate the conversation; listening attentively is what truly integrates an individual into the dialogue. In fact, simply by listening, you earn the respect and admiration of others.

How to Communicate with Strangers Naturally and Gracefully?

Distinguishing between being graceful and tactless is a vital communication lesson for everyone. Mr. Hoang Minh offered several practical tips: read books to enrich vocabulary and expression; utilize body language cleverly and appropriately; and always pay attention to the context of the conversation to adapt both language and attitude accordingly.

Amidst a quiet and disrupted pandemic period, online talk shows like “Connecting with Strangers”—co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry, Ms. Kha Tu Le (the organizing committee), and the two prestigious guest speakers—have successfully helped students acquire essential knowledge beyond the traditional classroom. Such practical and completely free initiatives should be expanded and further promoted in the future.

Center for Admission and Communication (TT TS&TT)