Why Do Many “Promising” Young People Struggle To Truly Shine?
The short answer: they haven’t found the right trigger.
The longer one: they’re stuck between potential and possibility – because of the gaps they haven’t yet closed.
It’s the gap between what they have and what they truly need.
According to a Deloitte’s 2024 survey, over 50% of young people feel overwhelmed when thinking about their future. On the bright side, that’s because they’re having more options than ever before.
But in a maze of possibilities, not everyone knows what to focus on, or which mindset and skills to build in order to create real values in a constantly shifting world – especially as Vietnam enters a new era of growth.
It’s the gap between what they know and what they actually do.
Many young people are driven and eager to learn, yet they struggle to move beyond theory due to a lack of hands-on experience.
It’s the gap between what they know about themselves and what they can become.
Everyone wants to become a better version of themselves. But how much better and in what way? That’s often difficult to realize on one’s own.
That’s why Oprah Winfrey, who transformed her life from one marked by hardship into a legacy of influence, often emphasizes the power of mentorship. Mentors do more than share knowledge. They help you see the extraordinary potential that already lives inside you.
Young Vietnamese are not lacking in potential or talent, but in today’s ever-changing job market, they can’t just dive into their careers with luck or passion alone. They need to be adaptable, ready to spring forward like on a trampoline - one that is strong enough to lift them, yet challenging enough to test and build their strength, agility, and resilience.
If you're seeking a boost in your career, a practical learning journey, and a chance to grow alongside seasoned mentors, Nesternship: NesUP 2025 is exactly what you're looking for.
A Launchpad For Young Talent Ready To Rise
Nesternship has long been a familiar name among young people aspiring to intern at Nestlé. As one of the key initiatives under the global Nestlé Needs YOUth program, launched in 2013, Nesternship aims to support at least 10 million youth worldwide in accessing career and economic opportunities by 2030. This mission reflects Nestlé’s long-term commitment to investing in the next generation.
In 2025, this journey in Vietnam is getting a major upgrade with new activities never seen in previous seasons or even in neighboring countries.
Now officially titled Nesternship: NesUP 2025, the program goes beyond just recruitment. It's an immersive, multidimensional module – guiding young talents through self-discovery, skill-building, real-world exposure, career exploration, and long-term development alongside experienced mentors.
The program aims to equip young Vietnamese talents with practical skills and realistic understanding of the FMCG industry, while also nurturing their confidence to navigate their career journeys ahead.
And for the first time ever, Nestlé is joining forces with strategic media and recruitment partners to build a comprehensive ecosystem of support for young professionals:
Onboardy, a media platform dedicated to sustainable career growth for Vietnam’s youth, serves as the program’s strategic advisor. They craft a tailored format, aiming to maximize each participant’s potential.
Vietcetera joins as the lead media partner, helping spread the program’s messages and stories to a wide audience of ambitious young professionals.
Combining creative strength and a network of industry experts, Onboardy and Vietcetera will co-create a diverse content ecosystem to help young people better understand the labor market, identify essential skill sets, and confidently step into their careers.
At the same time, with the advanced technology and extensive recruitment network of VietnamWorks, Nesternship: NesUP 2025 will reach and connect with young talent across the country. AI technology will be applied in the application screening process to select the most suitable candidates for the next rounds.
Nesternship: NesUP 2025 marks a defining moment as pioneering companies join forces to invest in Vietnam’s next generation.
Applications are officially open as of July 4, 2025!
What Will You Gain From Joining Nesternship: Nesup 2025?
As soon as you register, you’ll be invited to an exclusive webinar with mentors and the organizing team. By taking that one step, you will also be added to Nestlé’s potential talent pool, giving you an advantage in future applications.
After passing the application screening, you will take an online assessment designed in a game-based format. From there, the top 100 candidates will advance to the Grand Finale: NesUP Hackathon, where your skills and mindset will be put to the test through work-based challenges.
The best part? Whether or not you’re among the top 40 selected for internship, all 100 finalists will receive a six-month 1:1 mentorship with experts from Nestlé. This is a rare chance to grow your skills, sharpen your career focus, and learn directly from industry leaders.
As an official Nestern, you’ll gain access to:
- A fast-tracked path into the #SparkTheNext Leaders Program
- Opportunities to apply for full-time positions at Nestlé
- Intensive training, access to an exclusive alumni network, e-learning certifications, and a competitive internship stipend
What’s Brand New At Nesternship: NesUP 2025?
The highlight of Nesternship: NesUP 2025 is the NesUP Hackathon Grand Finale.
Over two immersive days, candidates will “test their mettle” in a dynamic new format. The hackathon recreates a real FMCG work environment at Nestlé through interactive gameplay and multi-layered problem-solving tasks.
Before the Hackathon officially kicks off, all finalists will take a PI Behavioral Assessment to explore their working styles, strengths, and personal potential. These results will be revealed on the morning of the Hackathon as a clue to help participants form teams with the right chemistry. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is strongly encouraged, as diverse teams that know how to work together often create the most practical, innovative solutions.
On the first morning, after forming teams, participants will enter a “brief auction” to choose a challenge to solve. They’ll then have about 24 hours to work on their solutions and prepare for the pitching session the next morning.
And even if your team doesn’t top the pitch round, there’s still a comeback opportunity in the hackathon’s most exciting segment: Exploratory Rooms. Modeled after real-life workplace scenarios at Nestlé, these interactive zones test your instincts, decision-making, and teamwork under pressure — through a series of fast-paced, adaptive challenges.
Each team will decide their own path through the rooms, choosing the order strategically while racing to complete all tasks within the time limit.
Across two intensive days, each team will learn, work, and play all at once. The high-pressure, time-sensitive format is designed to bring out the qualities of a young talent ready for the real working world: from leadership, teamwork, communication, to critical thinking and creativity. And yes, there will be a variety of “plot twists” along the way!
To gear up for the experience, follow the content series by Onboardy and Vietcetera, featuring the 5 essential skills for thriving in uncertain times – released throughout the two-month run of Nesternship: NesUP 2025.
A trampoline only bounces when you take the leap. Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone, and accelerate your career journey?
Nesternship: NesUP 2025 is a youth-empowering, skill-building initiative by Nestlé Needs YOUth and Onboardy with Vietcetera and VietnamWorks as Program Partners.
The program aims to equip Vietnamese young talents with hands-on skills and real-world insights into the FMCG industry - while building their confidence to navigate today’s ever-evolving professional landscape.
The Program Process:
July 4th - August 8th: Application & Online Assessment
August 28th - August 29th: NesUP Hackathon
September 16th: Onboarding
For more details and to apply to the program, visit the website or contact us at events.rsvp@vietcetera.com.