Where love begins

I returned to my hometown of Phu Yen after more than 5 years away. In the mind of a fresh graduate just stepping out of lecture halls, I still carried dreams and excitements from the bustling lurban life. So returning and reconn­­ecting with Phu Yen was filled with mixed feelings – ambiguity and a hint of regret. I still vividly remember the feeling of being bewildered and astonished on my first day at Pymepharco (known as STADA Pymepharco since 2021). I couldn't imagine that in a remote province like Phu Yen back then, there could be such a large-scale, thriving pharmaceuti­­cal company. That were the last days of summer, back in 2008.

At the time, Pymepharco had just opened its injectable medicine manufacturing facility. I was a young woman in my twenties – eager to learn, full of curiosity, and just beginning my career in the Human Resources department.

The early days of working at Pymepharco were incredibly valuable experiences. I quickly realized that much of theory I learned in the university had very little relevance to the reality of the workplace. My practical experience felt like a blank sheet of paper! My very first assignment was to read and memorize the company’s phone directory, and assist with whatever my colleagues in the department needed. I was truly happy to do it as it made me feel genuinely useful and create a sense of belonging to team. After a while, I was assigned to officially handle social insurance tasks, including processing the policies related to accident insurance benefits. At that time, the company kept the social insurance books for all employees, and the Human Resources Department was responsible for completing all related procedures manually. Pymepharco employed more than 1000 people back then. I remember sitting there, meticulously writing each letter. And yet, I felt happy and joyful to be trusted by my line manager with such resposibility. Later on, I was assigned a more specialized role that involved processing salary and creating the payroll for the employees in Phu Yen. Salary calculation  requires  precision,  patience, the ability to oversee many different details, and the flexibility to handle unexpected situations

Working in a corporate environment, especially at a large pharmaceutical company like STADA Pymepharco, requires employees to continuously learn and enhance their skills. In the beginning, I struggled to balance my daily responsibilities with ongoing learnings, but I understood that this was an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Overtime, I came to realize that to become a good successfyl HR professional, one not only needs specialized skills but also must have a deep understanding of people. From recruitment and training to resolving unexpected issues, every aspect of the job calls for sensitivity, flexibility, and empathy.

For the past 15 years under the roof of Pymepharco, I have witnessed countless changes – from improvements in work processes to the continuous development of technology, organizational structures, and management approaches. Every time the company implements a new process or introduces a new software, I’ve always strived to be the pioneer in learning and applying it. This not only helps me feel more confident in my work but also builds trust among my colleagues, as I can grasp and support them whenever they need guidance. The labor market is constantly changing, and in order to survive and thrive, each of us must continuously enhance our capabilities and be ready to adapt.

The year 2023 will always be a memorable milestone in my career. Just as I had yet fully was still adjusting to the company’s changes in the Company when our team was suddenly tasked – with considerable pressure – by management to take over Human Resource Management System on the Base HRM platform and managing salary calculations through Base Payroll. Gone are the days of handling mountains of paperwork each month. Our team worked relentlessly to streamline a new process for HR and payroll administration – starting with the ComOps division and expanding to TechOps. To date, the program has been successfully implemented and received positive feedback from both managers and colleagues.

What makes me truly happy as an HR professional is seeing how the company consistently cares for the well-being of its employees, both materially and emotionally. One of the most impressive initiatives in recent times has been the Growth Mindset program. I reinforces our belief that every success stems from effort, and effort comes from a positive, forward-thinking mindset. Through this training course, we have built a stronger mental resilience and developed practical strategies to grow in both our thinking and our work. On a side note, the psychological support sessions with professional therapists have also helped me embrace change with greater ease and peace of mind.

15 years by no means is a short period in anyone's career. I’ve spent my entire youth devoted to, accompanying, and nurturing a new kind love, a love for STADA Pymepharco, and for the work  do everyday! So many memories,so many valuable lessons! I’ve grown more mature with each passing day, becoming more confident in my role. Every working day at STADA Pymepharco feels like an exciting journey. And I know this journey is far from over – I will continue to strive and grow every day, side by side with my colleagues, on the path that lies ahead…