Universitas Gadjah Mada
Faculty of Economics and Business

Everyone's goal is to graduate from college and land a dream job with a promising career. So, what steps should students take to achieve their desired career after graduation?

To prepare its students for the post-graduation phase, the Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM) hosted an Alumni Sharing Session titled "Shaping Futures: Alumnae Perspectives on Career Growth" on Monday, August 26, 2024. The event featured three alumnae with diverse career backgrounds: Lutfi Anggriawan, Assistant Vice President of BRI Base Office Yogyakarta Cik Ditiro, Hendro Christanto, HR Operations and Technology Manager at Perum BULOG, and Dyan Asri Rahmadanti, Earth & Biodef Shopper and Customer Marketing Management at PT. Paragon Technology and Innovation.

Lutfi Anggriawan, Assistant Vice President of BRI BO Yogyakarta Cik Ditiro, shared tips on starting a career after graduation. According to the 2006 Management Program graduate, the first step is understanding yourself and identifying your talents and interests. After that, it is crucial to research the types of jobs that match your interests and skills. He also stressed the importance of being willing to experiment and explore, especially with the government's independent internship programs. The final stage is deciding on a career path.

"We need to understand our career choices so we don't end up in denial or uncomfortable with the company. When we enter the workforce, we must adapt and understand the job, especially in banking, which has a very rigid environment," Lutfi explained.

He added that job opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of age or gender. According to him, performance is what matters in the working world.

"Keep learning and keep growing," he advised.

Meanwhile, Hendro Christanto, HR Operations and Technology Manager at Perum BULOG noted that today's job market is highly competitive. This is characterized by the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) trend, which reflects uncertainty and unpredictability. As a result, job seekers need to have a competitive advantage that they can highlight to companies or institutions.

"Candidates are selected based on skills, knowledge, attitude, and other factors. Other factors include an attractive appearance and high enthusiasm," explained the 2004 Management Program graduate.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of maximizing each stage of the hiring process, from the resume to the interview. Acceptance often depends on matching the candidate's skills and the company's needs.

"Being accepted or not depends on whether the specifications required by the company match the potential and skills of the applicant," he explained.

Dyan Asri Rahmadanti, Earth & Biodef Shopper and Customer Marketing Management at PT. Paragon Technology and Innovation provided tips on focusing on our current goals. She introduced the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai as a guide to focus on what we are doing now.

"Find your Ikigai, which means focus on what you are doing. The combination of hard skills, soft skills, and passion will shape our Ikigai," she said.

The 2012 Accounting Program graduate also discussed the importance of agility, passion, and a growth mindset to succeed in any career. Dyan also emphasized the importance of self-development even after starting a job. She recommended two self-development books: Atomic Habits and Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.

This Alumni Sharing Session is a regular event organized by FEB UGM. The event aims to provide new insights and tips for students to face the working world after graduation. It is also expected to be a platform for networking with other alums.

Reportage: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekptiningrum

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