This is the first in a series of four posts wherein Simpson Strong-Tie interns reflect on their experience at the company.
Hi everyone! My name is Huy Kha Tran, and I’m currently a final-year student majoring in International Business at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH). As graduation slowly approaches, I’ve found myself asking a question that many students can probably relate to: “What career path is truly right for me?” With a background in International Business, I had many options in mind: marketing, logistics, human resources and more. Wanting to gain real-world experience before making a long-term career decision, I started looking for internship opportunities that would challenge me and help me learn.
Interestingly, I first heard about Simpson Strong-Tie Vietnam (SSTVN) through a friend from university. When I mentioned my interest in talent acquisition, my friend told me Simpson Strong-Tie was looking for an intern on their Talent Acquisition team in Viet Nam. As I explored the company further, I was impressed not only by its reputation and professional work environment, but also by its industry-leading products and solutions. Knowing that Simpson Strong-Tie’s products are trusted worldwide for their quality, innovation and reliability made me even more excited about the opportunity to join the company. Without hesitation, I decided to apply, and this decision has turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my university journey.
My internship began with a series of training sessions led by my TA & HRBP team, who patiently guided me through every step of the learning process. As someone with no prior experience in talent acquisition, I was incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement I received from the very beginning. The team took the time to introduce me to the company, its products and its culture before gradually training me on the fundamentals of recruitment, including candidate tracking, job posting management and recruitment administration. While these tasks seemed straightforward at first, they taught me an important lesson: Every detail matters when creating a smooth and professional recruitment experience.
What made the experience even more meaningful was knowing that I could always rely on my teammates for guidance whenever I encountered something new or challenging. As I became more familiar with the recruitment process, I had the opportunity to explore the onboarding journey of new employees. Preparing welcome emails, arranging welcome kits, supporting health checkups and ensuring that all required documents were ready gave me a new perspective on employee experience.
I realized that onboarding is much more than a checklist; it’s the first step in helping new employees feel valued, supported and connected to the organization. One of the most exciting parts of my internship has been participating in recruitment activities more directly. From guiding candidates through assessments and conducting phone screenings to joining interviews and kickoff meetings with hiring teams, I’ve been able to witness the full recruitment cycle firsthand. Through these experiences, I gained a deeper appreciation for the work that talent acquisition professionals do behind the scenes to connect the right people with the right opportunities.
Of course, every learning journey comes with challenges. For me, interviewing candidates was initially one of the most intimidating tasks. Before conducting an interview, I needed to thoroughly understand the job requirements, study the job description and identify the key qualifications needed for success in the role. This taught me that recruitment is not simply about filling positions; it’s about making thoughtful decisions that can positively impact both candidates and the organization.
Beyond the work itself, what has impressed me most about SSTVN is the people. From my first day, I was welcomed by colleagues who were always willing to share their knowledge, answer questions and offer support whenever I needed. As an intern, I encountered unfamiliar tasks at times, but I never felt alone. Every challenge became a learning opportunity thanks to the guidance and encouragement of the TA & HRBP team and the wider HR & Admin Division.
Although I’ve been interning at SSTVN only for a short time, the experience has already provided me with valuable lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. It has helped me develop professional skills, gain confidence and better understand the kind of career I want to pursue in the future. More importantly, it has shown me the power of a supportive workplace where people genuinely help one another grow. As I continue my journey at SSTVN, I am grateful for every opportunity to learn, contribute and develop. The knowledge, experiences and connections I’ve gained here are something to build on later in my career. Happy National Intern Day to all interns who are learning, growing and discovering their potential one step at a time!
