Returning to the series “What Should You Study to Stay Relevant?”, NIIE continues to accompany you on your journey of career orientation and future planning. As AI and digital technology continue transforming the way businesses operate every day, the question of what major to study in the future is no longer as simple as before. This article will help you better understand future employment trends, the growing polarization of the labor market, and suggest promising majors for 2026 along with essential skills to confidently pursue a career in the AI era.
Why Choosing a Major Can No Longer Be “Just Pick Something and Figure It Out Later”
In the past, many people believed they could simply enter university first and gradually figure out what suited them. Today, however, that mindset is becoming increasingly risky. The reason is that the labor market is changing at an unprecedented speed: technology is impacting nearly every industry, repetitive jobs are gradually being replaced, and businesses are now hiring based more on practical capabilities than solely on academic degrees.
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum, the global labor market is projected to create around 170 million new jobs by 2030, while approximately 92 million jobs may disappear, resulting in a major transformation of the workforce structure. The report also indicates that about 39% of workers’ current skills are expected to change or become outdated during the 2025–2030 period.
Simply put, the question is no longer only “What major do I like?” but also: Which major both matches my interests and offers long-term growth potential?
The Labor Market Is Becoming Increasingly Polarized: Opportunities Exist, But Not for Everyone
According to statements made at the “Connecting Human Resources with Employers – Job Link 2025” program, Vietnam’s economy is expected to shift strongly toward sectors such as the digital economy, automation, renewable energy, and modern logistics during the 2025–2030 period. This creates many new employment opportunities, especially in major urban areas.
Ho Chi Minh City alone is projected to require between 800,000 and over 1 million new workers, with 70% concentrated in service and high-tech industries. This is a significant figure, showing that recruitment demand is rapidly increasing.
At first glance, this may sound encouraging, but there is also a major paradox: businesses are struggling to find people with the right expertise and skills, while the supply of low-skilled labor performing repetitive tasks is becoming excessive.
This demonstrates an increasingly clear labor market polarization. Repetitive jobs with low added value will gradually be replaced by technology. In contrast, positions requiring critical thinking, practical skills, and adaptability will become increasingly valuable.
Therefore, the real question behind “What should you study to stay relevant?” is: Are you preparing the right skills for the future job market?
Technology & Innovation – The Foundation of Every Industry
AI, data, software, and automation are no longer “distant concepts.” They are gradually becoming the foundation of almost every profession.
According to the World Economic Forum, AI and Data are among the fastest-growing skill groups in the coming years. This means that whether you work in marketing, finance, or logistics, you still need to understand and work effectively with technology.
This is why technology-related majors consistently remain among the top career fields to consider in the AI era.
👉 If you are passionate about technology and problem-solving, you may consider:
- Information Technology
- Technology & Innovation
- Automotive Engineering Technology
Business in the Digital Environment – Where Opportunities Are Growing Rapidly
If you enjoy creativity, communication, and business, then fields such as digital marketing and e-commerce are highly worth considering.
According to Statista, global e-commerce revenue in 2025 is estimated to reach USD 6.4 trillion and could approach USD 9 trillion by 2030. Asia, in particular, is currently the fastest-growing region, with annual growth rates of approximately 20%.
This clearly shows that business activities are rapidly shifting to digital platforms—and those who can seize this trend will hold a major advantage.
👉 If you are interested in creativity, media, and business:
- Digital Marketing & Social Media
- E-commerce
- Business Administration and Technology
Logistics & kinh doanh quốc tế – “mạch máu” của nền kinh tế
Vietnam is one of the countries with the fastest rates of global integration, leading to strong growth in logistics and supply chain industries. These sectors play a crucial role in operating, connecting, and optimizing economic activities. If you enjoy dynamic environments and working with international partners, this is a highly promising choice.
👉 Suggested majors:
- International Business
- Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Accounting & Law – Foundations That Cannot Be Replaced
No matter how advanced technology becomes, businesses will always need professionals who ensure transparency, compliance, and operational stability. Therefore, accounting and law remain “backbone” industries, especially suitable for students who prefer stability and long-term career development.
One important thing to remember: You do not need to chase “trending majors.” Instead, choose a field that allows you to create value in the new context.
👉 If you prefer stable and long-term career paths:
- Financial Accounting
- Economic Law
Meanwhile, if you enjoy the service industry, working with people, and creating experiences, Hospitality Management is also an excellent option. These orientations are all connected to the academic programs offered at NIIE.
Three Essential Factors If You Don’t Want to Become Outdated
After choosing a major, NIIE Institute would also like you to understand an important reality: the future labor market will demand much more than before. Beyond classroom knowledge, businesses are increasingly seeking individuals who can adapt, continuously learn, and grow alongside workplace changes.
1. Foreign Languages
Many people believe that foreign languages are no longer necessary in the AI era because translation tools already exist. However, this is a common misunderstanding.
In reality, AI may help translate content, but it cannot help you think directly in another language. When relying heavily on AI, communication often goes through multiple steps: Vietnamese → AI → English → understanding → translation again. This slows down workflows, increases the risk of contextual errors—especially in specialized content—and prevents the development of direct English thinking.
Meanwhile, individuals with strong language foundations can read, understand, and respond almost immediately, significantly improving work efficiency. Moreover, AI cannot replace human communication, because it cannot fully understand intentions, emotions, or cultural nuances in situations such as client meetings, interviews, or presentations.
In addition, most valuable global knowledge is still available primarily in English. If you depend entirely on translated content, you will always remain one step behind. Even when using AI tools, English remains a major advantage, as writing prompts in English often generates more accurate and deeper results.
2. Understanding Technology and AI
You do not need to become a technology expert, but you should know how to use tools, understand how technology works, and apply it effectively in your work. This is what helps you become more efficient rather than being replaced.
3. Self-Learning Ability
In a world where knowledge changes continuously, learning does not stop after graduation. Your ability to self-learn determines how quickly you can adapt and how far you can progress.
These three elements are no longer simply “advantages”—they have become foundational requirements for anyone who wants to thrive in the AI era.
Understanding this reality, the learning environment itself plays a very important role. At NIIE Institute, the educational model is designed to help students develop these competencies early. Students study in a bilingual environment with a clear English learning pathway toward the B2 standard, while also participating in project-based learning, workshops, and real-world case studies.
In addition, close collaboration with businesses from the early years helps students not only learn classroom theory but also understand how knowledge is applied in practice. As a result, after graduation, students no longer feel overwhelmed but can quickly adapt and integrate into professional environments.
Choose the Right Direction to Go Further
The labor market is changing every day, and the gap between those who are prepared and those who are not is becoming increasingly visible.
Therefore, the question “What should you study to stay relevant?” is not only about choosing a major—it is about choosing a suitable and sustainable direction that allows you to develop long-term.
With the right orientation from the beginning, your learning journey becomes clearer, and you will feel more confident when entering the workforce in the future.
If you are currently exploring majors and looking for a clearer pathway for your future, you can learn more about the programs at NIIE Institute – Nguyen Tat Thanh University to better understand the available majors and identify the learning direction that best suits you.
👉 Learn more at: https://xettuyen.niie.edu.vn/
