Before graduation, 100% of FPT University students undertake internships at domestic and international enterprises. This is a truly “one-of-a-kind” period for students to apply what they have learned in real working environments, while accumulating hands-on experience and essential professional skills.
A “signature” learning experience at FPT University
The corporate semester – on-the-job training (OJT) – is considered a “signature” learning experience of FPT University students. Entering their third year, students are systematically prepared in terms of mindset, knowledge, and skills before starting their enterprise internship.
FPT University students have opportunities to participate in various talk shows and workshops that address questions related to the corporate semester, helping them learn how to integrate into the workplace and demonstrate their capabilities. In addition, company visits allow students to directly experience professional working environments, while also serving as a bridge connecting students with enterprises that have recruitment needs, thereby opening up internship and employment opportunities.
Furthermore, students receive detailed guidance on essential skills such as writing an impressive CV, interviewing with employers, presenting ideas, and working in teams, enabling them to confidently enter the corporate semester.
Some FPT University students choose to intern domestically, while others go abroad. Regardless of location, the corporate semester introduces a new environment in which students learn to adapt.
During one full semester, students work at enterprises as regular employees and may receive remuneration. There is no “making tea or pouring water”; instead, FPT University students are involved in real projects, learn working skills from senior colleagues, and experience very realistic aspects of office life such as teamwork, deadline pressure, performance requirements, planning, reporting, and business trips.
OJT at FPT University is among the few programs that focus on providing practical experience while strengthening students’ professional skills and expertise in line with enterprise and societal needs. As a result, it is widely regarded by students as a distinctive feature of the learning experience at the university.
The more students intern, the more they learn and experience
Interning and working in a real environment, rather than “sitting around making tea or pouring water,” is a challenge for many third- and fourth-year students. However, thanks to prior exposure to practical activities during their university years, FPT University students are able to overcome initial difficulties.
According to Nam, students who frequently participate in experiential activities at university tend to develop positive attitudes and useful skills for enterprise internships. Hoai Nam (a student majoring in Japanese Language) shared: “I had already formed a general picture of the work of a Japanese interpreter at a technology company thanks to my participation in career-oriented events and company visits organized by FPT University. The club I joined – the Japanese Culture Club – is also where my friends and I share common interests in Japanese culture and language. Therefore, when entering the internship period and working as a real employee, I was not too overwhelmed.”
“Through joining clubs and events at FPT University, I often place myself in different roles and tasks, sometimes seemingly small and insignificant, but eventually all of them provide me with certain skills. The same applies to enterprise internships. There are tasks that make me wonder why I have to do them, but once completed and recognized, I realize that even the smallest tasks contribute to the collective outcome. That helps me gain new knowledge, experience, and a more positive mindset,” Nam added.
According to FPT University representatives, many students who perform well during their enterprise internships are recruited even before officially receiving their graduation degrees. Most of them start with salaries of around VND 10 million per month, with some earning up to thousands of US dollars or securing official positions at foreign enterprises.
Even for those who are not immediately recruited, early work experience helps FPT University students gain a more realistic understanding of current employer expectations for young professionals. From there, they can adjust both their professional knowledge and skill sets accordingly.
Despite the challenges, the corporate semester opens up clear employment opportunities for students, which is why it is widely regarded as a “signature” feature of the educational experience at FPT University.