Asking the right questions is often more important than having quick answers.

From Vietnam to a second home in Finland 
 

My name is Diem, as in carpe diem. It means living in the moment, and that is how I try to approach both life and work. I am originally from Vietnam, but after ten years in Finland, it truly feels like my second home. 
 

I studied Finance and Banking in Vietnam before moving to Finland for a master’s in Real Estate Economics. Realizing that business knowledge alone was not enough, I taught myself SQL, Python, data modelling, and coding to turn ideas into practical solutions.

 

Turning complexity into clarity 
 

Today, I work as a Senior Business Analyst at Nordea, collaborating closely with internal stakeholders, particularly client executives. They make important customer decisions but often need to navigate large amounts of information across complex systems. My role is to help bridge that gap. 
 

Together with my team, I build dashboards that give colleagues a clear view of a customer’s products, pricing, previous interactions, and potential opportunities. Instead of navigating several systems, they can prepare meetings in minutes and focus on creating value for the customer. 
 

I joined Nordea as a Data Analyst in Internal Audit and later moved into my current role, where I have continued to develop both my technical expertise and business understanding. 

Learning to ask better questions 
 

Studying in Finland changed not only what I knew, but how I approached problems. There was not always one correct answer. Instead, I was repeatedly asked: What do you think, and why? 
 

I learned to challenge assumptions, examine different possibilities, and reframe a problem before trying to solve it. Asking the right questions is often more important than giving a quick answer, because those questions shape how we understand the problem in the first place. 
 

That mindset also changed the direction of my career. After graduating in Real Estate Economics, I initially considered property valuation. Then I began asking: What else could I do in this field? What is missing? Could data help solve problems more effectively? Those questions led me towards data science, data analytics, and eventually business analysis. 

 

The skills that make the biggest difference 
 

Active listening and continuous learning make the biggest difference in my work. Listening helps me uncover the underlying problem behind a stakeholder’s request, while continuous learning helps me turn that understanding into better solutions. 
 

Continuous learning is essential in a rapidly changing technology environment. I learn through practical experience, online resources, and, importantly, my colleagues. 
 

Self-learning is essential in a rapidly changing technology environment. I learn through formal education, practical experience, online resources, and, importantly, my colleagues. 
 

Understanding the right problem 
 

If there is one lesson I would highlight from my journey, it is this: 

It is not only about solving problems. It is about understanding and defining the right ones.  That is where real impact begins.