This is the second in a series of four blog posts wherein Simpson Strong-Tie interns reflect on their experience at the company.
Have you ever dreamed of joining a global company, getting to know inspirational colleagues, gaining real-world experience, and growing beyond what you thought you could do? Well, I didn’t have to wonder for long, because I got to experience it myself at Simpson Strong-Tie Viet Nam as a Technical Admin Intern. At the beginning, I felt excited and a little nervous stepping into a professional work environment for the first time. However, those feelings quickly turned into comfort and motivation thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and supportive colleagues around me. Choosing Simpson Strong-Tie Viet Nam for my internship was one of the best decisions I could have made, as it gave me not only practical experience but also valuable life lessons.
As part of the Technical Admin team, my main responsibilities involve supporting technical documentation, organizing data and assisting in coordination tasks to ensure smooth workflows within the team. Although my role may seem “behind the scenes” to an outsider, I soon realized how important it is for maintaining efficiency and accuracy in daily operations. Through my work, I had the opportunity to become familiar with internal systems, improve my attention to detail and understand how different functions collaborate within a larger engineering environment.
During my internship, I developed both technical and soft skills. On the technical side, I enhanced my ability to manage data, follow structured processes and handle tasks with precision. On the soft skills side, I learned how to communicate more effectively, manage my time better and adapt to new challenges. There were definitely moments when I felt a bit overwhelmed by the rush of new tasks and deadlines, but with the support of my teammates and a mindset of “just keep learning” I was able to overcome those challenges and grow more confident in my work.
SSTVN’s core value “Everybody Matters” left a strong impression on me, as I could clearly see it reflected not only at the team level but also across the entire company. Within my team, everyone was supportive, patient and always willing to share their knowledge, which made me feel comfortable asking questions and helped my learning process become smoother and more enjoyable. Moreover, the company creates a professional but friendly environment where even interns are respected, encouraged to share ideas and recognized for their work. This made me feel that what I did really mattered and inspired me to be more proactive and responsible in my daily tasks. Besides that, activities like photoshoots and opportunities to write posts or make vlogs show how SSTVN cares about interns and wants us to enjoy our journey. These experiences made my internship both fun and meaningful.
One moment I will never forget was winning a lucky prize just one month after joining the company; it was such a fun and unexpected experience that made me feel even more excited and connected to the workplace. Reflecting on my journey, this internship has been a meaningful step in my personal and professional development. It helped me become more confident, improve my working mindset, and gain a clearer direction for my future career. Beyond skills and knowledge, I learned the importance of attitude, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Finally, I want to sincerely thank my team and my friends for making my time at Simpson Strong-Tie Viet Nam so meaningful and enjoyable. The sisters in my team have been incredibly supportive, and each of them has taught me something new almost every day, whether it’s a technical skill or a different perspective on work. On top of that, I’m also very grateful for the friendships I built with five fellow interns. Even though we work in different teams and areas, we connect naturally because everyone is kind, genuine and easy to get along with. These relationships have made my experience at SSTVN not only professionally rewarding but also full of great memories.
For future interns who are considering joining SSTVN, my advice is to stay open to learning, be proactive and make the most out of every opportunity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or step out of your comfort zone, because that is where most growth happens.
