If someone says that engineering people are boring and only suitable for numbers and electronic circuits, then they probably haven't met Mr. Pham Van Thang - Head of Engineering Department of LIMEThe young man made a surprising “side-turn” to the event industry and became the most sought-after technical manager in Hanoi. Is there any connection between technical drawings and stage lights? Let’s listen to his sincere and profound sharing about this journey, and discover why more and more Polytechnic boys are “destined” to work in the event industry.
Mechanical engineering major, but "crazy" about events
After graduating, he found the industrial environment was not suitable for him. The job is ít màu sắc, thiếu tương tác với con người và không có quá nhiều va chạm xã hội khác hẳn với tính cách của Phạm Thắng. Sự kiện thì ngược lại hoàn toàn: mỗi ngày một job khác nhau, mỗi khách lại yêu cầu khác nhau, và chẳng bao giờ có 2 sự kiện giống hệt nhau,
Vậy trải nghiệm nghề sẽ không bao giờ dừng lại. Ngay khi còn là sinh viên, anh đã được tiếp xúc với môi trường sự kiện, nên việc sau khi ra trường anh đi theo sự kiện có lẽ là thường tình,” anh Thắng chia sẻ.
Every event is a lesson, every customer a “case”
For Thang, no two events are exactly the same – whether you’re on the same stage, using the same equipment, or with a familiar team. The biggest difference is… the people.
Each business has its own style, its own corporate culture, so the people are also very… unique. Therefore, the requirements and expectations are also different. Therefore, being an engineer is not just simply understanding the equipment, but also the ability to observe carefully, listen carefully and adjust flexibly according to the customer's "taste".
That is why he always emphasizes to young people who are new to the profession that: To become a good technician, you not only need to learn about equipment with "dry, mechanical" formulas, but also need to learn how to work with people, improve your thinking and sensitivity. And of course, the most valuable lessons will often come from the stumbles when working with "people", not from "equipment".
“There is no standard for this profession. Not everyone who studies well will do well, nor will anyone who is good at techniques be able to do it. What is important is whether after each job you can learn something that makes you happy – or sad about it,” Mr. Thang shared.
Events career – no perfect curriculum
Despite many years in the profession, Mr. Thang still considers each event as a new problem when receiving a client's assignment. Because even an event that has been done before, or even done many times, can bring about unforeseen variables from equipment or human factors. "No textbook can teach all these real-life situations, only we can contemplate, learn and proactively improve our professional skills every day" - he affirmed.
In those moments, the key factor for success is the good coordination of teammates. Especially the "dream team" needs to have absolute sensitivity when working: "I don't choose the best person. I choose the person who has good observation, knows how to coordinate well with teammates and support teammates at the right time" - Mr. Thang shared his experience.
Event – Hot industry of H.U.S.T students?
When asked about the increasing number of Bách Khoa engineers “crossing over” to event engineering, Mr. Thang said: “It must be due to the flow of life (smile). But if we look closely and seriously consider, this profession is more suitable for engineers than we think.”
Logical thinking, understanding of equipment operation solutions, crisis management, problem-solving and creativity, high accuracy – engineers like him have the ideal foundation to handle on-site incidents if any.
Final
In reality, there is no school that can properly train “event technicians”. But if you have a solid technical foundation, remarkable endurance, a sharp logical mind, the ability to handle situations flexibly and especially improve your thinking about working with people – a spirit of supporting teamwork with teammates – then this industry is always open to welcome you.
And who knows, one day, you might be like Thang – stepping out of the practice room, but choosing to stand behind the spotlight of the stage. Not taking the spotlight for yourself, but letting it explode at the right time, in the right way, with the right emotion, and for the right person.
At LIME MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT – We have engineers with artistic hearts like that!
