Transformations are the essence of life, and my narrative is no different. It is about transitioning from one passion to another, from the love for teaching to the thrill of organizing and creating websites. Let me welcome you into my world of change, growth, and continuous learning.
Into the Heart of Vietnam
I arrived on Vietnamese soil in 2018, my heart teeming with the excitement of an educator, ready to impart knowledge and shape minds. What awaited me was an experience that went far beyond teaching the three R’s. While I started as a teacher, the longer I stayed in Vietnam the more I wanted to expand and grow…to keep up with this fast-evolving city. I doubted that my ability to teach was transferable to a digital career. This, was to my surprise, very wrong. For example: As a teacher, I needed to plan my lessons and organize my materials for effective teaching. This skill transferred when I became an event coordinator. I meticulously planned events, including timelines, venues, suppliers, and logistics. In addition, WordPress website layouts, content organization, and feature implementation required just as much attention. I would come to learn that many of my skills as a teacher were more transferrable, I could take the old and mix it in with the new. I just needed to attain the right keys for the many doors ahead of me using self-learning platforms, large social networks, and connecting with niche markets from which to build products for.
Teaching, Learning, and Sharing
Vietnam resembled a classroom without borders, each corner a lesson, and every individual a teacher in their own right. I learned resilience from the street vendors, kindness from strangers, and the infectious spirit of community from every soul I met. Each district was a fun new adventure that sometimes shocked me, but eventually won me over. Traveling the markets of D5 through Binh Thanh, eating almost everything on site, and chatting up who I could along the way. The mastery of the Vietnamese language still eludes me, but a smile and Google translate go a long way. Kindness, respect, and loyalty are traits integral to my being. And my work and interactions reflect them constantly.
Building Bridges
My interactions weren’t confined within the four walls of the classroom. I plunged into community life, embracing its diversity, eager to learn from the collective wisdom found in the streets of Ho Chi Minh. Although you can always find a street full of scissors, a step away, hidden gems can be found. Into the hems, you can see how some vendors and cafes constantly try new and creative ways to sell their wares and services.
The Vietnamese Hustle and the Spark of Inspiration
Amidst the hustle of Ho Chi Minh, I recognized a universal striving for excellence—a relentless drive that mirrored my own ambitions. The hustle is real, and communities in Ho Chi Minh are willing to try novel ideas that end up pushing the standard further than ever before.
A Metropolis of Opportunity
Exploring the veins of this city, I observed firsthand the fervor with which each person pursued their goals. This singular focus stirred something in me, igniting a desire to reinvent myself, to become more than an educator. I see great possibilities and future collaborations with almost everyone I meet.
Embracing Change
It was clear that to contribute meaningfully to this burgeoning energy, I needed to evolve. Thus began my transition from nurturing young minds to orchestrating grand visions. This led to doing more than just attending events and meetups. I could work to learn how to lead and create spaces for people to blossom into their best selves. Seeing these communities flourish is one of my greatest rewards and the product of a job well done.
Charting a New Course: Event Coordination
As my journey unfolded, the role of event coordinator beckoned, promising a canvas for my burgeoning creativity. Music and community education in eclectic fields expanded my network and brought on a hunger to try new things and take risks I didn’t think I would take if you had asked me years ago.
Creating Experiences
From meticulous planning to execution, coordinating events is akin to conducting an orchestra. Each note must harmonize, every player in tune, to create an unforgettable symphony of experiences, “if you build it, they will come”. Getting to know your audience, meeting them at their level, asking questions, and giving back just as much as I got led to exciting collaborations. I strongly believe that building grassroots in-person communities necessitates a deep understanding of community organizing, effective planning and communication, and strategies for mobilizing the community towards shared goals. By following these guidelines, one can increase the likelihood of creating a strong, impactful grassroots movement.
Community at the Core
My ambition was not simply to plan events but to build communities. To unify diverse groups under the banner of common interests and shared joy, amplifying the heartbeat of Ho Chi Minh. This ever-growing city can change in a matter of minutes. Even during COVID, it persevered and I believe it pushed people to take the plunge into new terrain. Becoming creative through Zalo, and other social media apps to maintain financial stability in a time where most assumed stagnancy.
Building a community is a slow and steady process. It requires time, effort, and consistency.
Staying consistent is key, so regularly updating my platforms with content, staying engaged with the community, and organizing events that cater to their interests are obvious. Over time, my communities found new leaders and expanded. This propelled me to bridge more communities together.
In my opinion, every aspect of my event must be considered carefully. This includes details such as catering options, seating arrangements, audio-visual equipment needs, decor, and transportation logistics.
Event coordinators must communicate effectively with clients, vendors, staff, and event attendees. They need to be clear, concise, and personable in both written and verbal communication.
No event goes exactly to plan, so I had to learn to anticipate potential problems and quickly find solutions when issues arise is critical.
Things change rapidly when coordinating events—having the flexibility to adapt to new situations and make last-minute changes is vital. There as always surprises and I am always ready to tackle them.
Managing a budget was critical in making sure the event did not exceed financial constraints. A few setbacks can’t stop me from getting the job done.
Leading a team became my specialty and with it, the ability to inspire and direct others effectively.
I aimed to be attentive to my client’s needs and focused on ensuring a positive experience for all attendees.
From theming to troubleshooting, a creative spirit can go a long way in improving the event and overcoming obstacles.
I built relationships with vendors, sponsors, and other industry professionals which opened doors and created opportunities for future events.
Although it can be incredibly stressful at times, I learned to maintain my composure under pressure which became one of my most valuable skills.
I love hosting diverse groups, which taught me to be culturally sensitive and inclusive in all my events.
Combining these skills over time has made me an all-rounded event coordinator capable of facing various challenges in the field of event planning and management. Continuous learning and experience will further refine and enhance my skills over this exciting journey.
The Digital Frontier: WordPress Development
With the ambition of furthering my creative outreach, I delved into the technical realm of WordPress development. Using platforms like Reddit, Skool, and Coursera to learn the necessary skills and make my passions into a reality. My minor in UX design and its principles are being used to create user-friendly interfaces. In which I can provide positive experiences that are constantly being adapted to the fast-paced digital battlefield. I always try to stay on with new trends, I continued my journey from Metrostate University with B.A. Technical Communications and Professional Writing (Minor in UX Design) to completing my Master of Digital Marketing through Scott Max Business School. This propelled me to constantly create and learn to build new digital products and refine my “Swiss Army Knife” of skills.
As a teacher, I learned that being adept in the increasing use of technology in the classroom to enhance learning (e.g., educational software) is a must. This helped me jump on the digital tool train of AI, plugins, and various apps which eventually landed me in WordPress. I also took the time to find online communities that help me build actual products which was difficult at first. Using AI, finding beneficial online forums, and digital boot camps was easier as time went on. However, not all of them were quite as helpful as the real professionals I met on the field.
The Power of Platforms
Understanding the might of the digital space, I equipped myself with the tools to create platforms that would be instrumental in brand-building and community engagement. I went with the goal of being able to produce, fail, try again, and eventually rise to the occasion. Understanding how to use caching plugins, image optimization tools, and other strategies helped ensure the website loads quickly and performs well. In addition, I am using analytics tools to measure the growth of communities, engagement levels, and the effectiveness of my offline and online activities. This empowered me to keep going and learn more ways to connect with my changing audiences. Good user research helps gain insights into who your users are, what they need, and what challenges they face.
A Vision for Growth
My goal was precise—to establish online ecosystems that foster organic growth and facilitate connection on a scale that transcends physical boundaries. Using effective SEO, silos, and funneling an audience to become loyal customers not just potential consumers. I aim to use the powerful tools that are social media and websites to generate awareness due to their wide reach and the ability to engage users with compelling content.
Looking Forward: A Career Refined
The path forward is one of innovation and striving, a balanced blend of the life I have known, and the future I am building. It will at times be turbulent but with my wide skill set, all can be conquered. this is done by creating valuable content such as blog posts, reviews, and detailed product/service pages that help visitors understand my offerings better.
Continuing the Journey
As I nurture the networks I’m part of, my sights are set on expansive horizons. This fusion of event coordination and web development allows me to propel others and myself to unprecedented heights. Giving people a voice that is stacked with knowledge is key to a healthy community for any brand. Promote the community through websites, newsletters, social media, and at the end of offline events. Actively listen to feedback and make appropriate changes.
I learned to deliver relevant content with value. My content should answer the questions or solve the problems of my client’s target audience.
Strategically using relevant keywords throughout my content, including titles, headers, and body text, while avoiding keyword stuffing, I brought the necessary juice that energized my client’s online presence.
I regularly update my site with new, relevant content to maintain its relevancy and domain/page authority.
The tactics and constant research keep me ahead of the game. The hustle is real.
Stepping Into the New Age
Ho Chi Minh is on the cusp of a new era, and I am poised to contribute to its ascent. It’s a time for us all to rise, enabled by technology and united in our pursuit of progress. By asking questions, starting discussions, and encouraging my audience to share their thoughts and experiences I am constantly learning. I want to continue being a foundation that brings myself and those around me up.
In developing this rich tapestry of experiences and ambitions, I invite you, my readers, to join me on this extraordinary journey. Together, we’ll navigate the exciting nexus of event coordination and digital creativity, where every challenge is a stepping stone and every success, is a shared triumph. Let’s step boldly into this new age, ready to grow, build, and thrive.