CAREER JOURNEY BOOKLET

Mesias is currently pursuing a fast-track master's degree in Geothermal at ITB. Despite still being a student, he has accumulated three years of experience working as a Junior Engineer at ALIMA and freelancing as a Reservoir Engineering and Blockchain Technology Consultant. He has also worked as a Lead Scientist at Supreme Energy (third party) and Engineer at LAPI. Presently, Mesias is a Reservoir Engineer at Pertamina Energy.

Mesias began by explaining how the COVID-19 pandemic affected his life. As he was about to graduate, he missed the graduation euphoria and had to find ways to work while studying. This situation led him into Software Engineering. Through a connection with HIMPI Patra, he got the opportunity to work as a consultant in website development. He was later invited to work as a CTO in a blockchain company founded by a Patra alumnus. This experience enabled him to learn a lot about programming, which eventually led him to the energy and geothermal sector.

Although initially unfamiliar with geothermal, Mesias started learning about it during his time at ALIMA, which motivated him to delve deeper into the field. In his sixth semester, he decided to join the fast-track program for geothermal studies. His dedication to learning geothermal made him a go-to person in the field. The knowledge and experience he gained led to his acceptance at Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) through a rigorous recruitment process.

Mesias explained that there are two pathways to joining state-owned enterprises (BUMN), through a joint recruitment process or contract recruitment usually initiated by HR. He detailed that the recruitment process at PGE involves strict administrative selection, CV screening, and interviews. As a Reservoir Engineer, his tasks include monitoring wellhead conditions, conducting reservoir simulations, and planning drilling operations.

Since getting acquainted with AILIMA, Mesias has often studied geothermal tools and conditions. He also reads papers to expand his knowledge, believing that participating in competitions is very helpful for applying the knowledge learned in class. His experiences in competitions like APEX UGM, API, and various other contests helped him develop connections and practical knowledge.

Despite working in Gambir while living in Bekasi, Mesias feels happy with the friendly work environment at PGE. He receives ample support for continuous learning and has opportunities to become a permanent employee. Although the challenge of salary and living costs in Jakarta is significant, the fieldwork experience and knowledge gained are invaluable.

Mesias emphasizes the importance of not limiting oneself. He encourages students to learn broadly and seek opportunities in various fields. He also highlights the importance of finding mentors and not being overly confident, as there is always more to learn from others. According to Mesias, geothermal in Indonesia is advancing both academically and industrially. Many companies are interested in innovations and research in this field. Operators need to understand the outputs of consultants and academics to maximize geothermal potential.

Carry Kharisma, also known as Pak Carry, began his academic path at Astra Polytechnic (formerly Polman Astra), where he got an associate's degree (eq. to D3) in automotive engineering technology. Inspired by several career-related motivations and pursuits of engineering, he opted to continue his studies by earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the highly prestigious University of Indonesia. His dedication and hard work paid off in 2012 when he finally graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Carry's vocational education at Astra Polytechnic significantly enhanced his practical and technical skills, providing him with a solid foundation for his early career as an RnD-Testing Foreman at Astra. The curriculum's strong emphasis on hands-on learning and technical training, including numerous Kuliah Kerja (work internships), gave him invaluable real-world experience that traditional colleges often lack. This practical focus not only honed his technical abilities but also gave him a competitive edge in his early career at Astra, allowing him to excel and advance rapidly within the company.

At HLI Green Power, Carry's role involves overseeing the optimization of production processes. His tasks include conducting trials to enhance machine performance, collaborating with the central R&D team in Korea on design improvements, and assessing new machinery to ensure they meet production requirements. He notes that only about 10% of his mechanical engineering knowledge from UI applies directly, while much of the relevant knowledge comes from chemical engineering and electrical engineering.

Recognizing cultural differences is key, as shown by Carry's shift from a Japanese to a Korean company. Japanese firms plan thoroughly before action, while Korean companies handle issues “spontaneously”, needing proactive and negotiation skills. Initially skeptical, Carry adapted to the Korean style, appreciating LG's battery tech leadership. Learning Korean improved his communication, and respecting seniority is crucial. Despite the demands at HLI Green Power, focused on lithium batteries, Carry maintains a decent work-life balance with regular weekends off and occasional overtime.

A fundamental requirement of the position of cell technologist is having a comprehensive understanding of batteries, including the different kinds and features of these devices. Possessing the statistical analysis skills necessary to detect and resolve production defects is equally important. Effective communication skills are also necessary, as cliché as it may sound, especially while adapting to the workings of a multinational corporation. To ensure efficient and fruitful operations, it is necessary to possess not only the ability to negotiate well but also the ability to collaborate well with people from different backgrounds. Last but not least, he recommends learning languages such as Mandarin, English, Japanese, and Korean, which are highly beneficial in the professional world.

Each company has its own recruitment process. At PT Astra, there are two main pathways: through Astra International headquarters or Astra Virtual Career, and the second through their subsidiary companies. The recruitment stages are uniform across these pathways, including psychometric tests, HR interviews, technical interviews, and a medical examination before the final announcement. At PT HLI Green Power, Carry was contacted directly by a headhunter.

Carry advises being true to oneself and thoroughly researching the company, the position applied for, the job description, and the company’s expectations. Having a clear understanding of what the role entails can ease the transition into the job.

Sabrina Rahmi Adiyar is a chemical engineering graduate from Diponegoro University. Since the beginning of her career as a chemical engineer, her passion has been directed towards the manufacturing industry. Before graduating, she gained experience working as a quality intern at GE Power and Unilever. Wanting to fulfill her passion and maximize the knowledge she gained in her major, Sabrina then explored opportunities in the manufacturing industry. Cargill Company is a perfect fit for her that she now works as a process engineer in the manufacturing technology department there.

Sabrina Rahmi Adiyar is a chemical engineering graduate from Diponegoro University. Since the beginning of her career as a chemical engineer, her passion has been directed towards the manufacturing industry. Before graduating, she gained experience working as a quality intern at GE Power and Unilever. Wanting to fulfill her passion and maximize the knowledge she gained in her major, Sabrina then explored opportunities in the manufacturing industry. Cargill Company is a perfect fit for her that she now works as a process engineer in the manufacturing technology department there.

Rather than calling it work-life balance, Sabrina prefers to see the concept as ‘work-life juggling’, as it requires effort to balance both elements. Based on her experience, work-life juggling is more challenging during the adaptation phase when starting a new role, as she switched from quality department to manufacturing. One of the challenges is the knowledge gap with seniors. Many technical outcomes can be learned in actual work, that also requires extra effort to be understood, especially when working with colleagues in a global, multilingual environment. Additionally, adapting to the work culture also takes time. Once able to adapt to these two aspects, work-life juggling becomes easier.

Sabrina found the job opening at Cargill through LinkedIn before graduating in April. For the role of process engineer, the necessary document screening is the CV. If successful at this stage, a user interview agenda is scheduled, including interviews with the prospective manager and the plant director. The recruitment process takes about three weeks.

As a fresh graduate, having bargaining power is important when looking for a job. Achieving the company's desired goals will help to stand out during the selection process. Due to the need for technical understanding, Sabrina's role tends to prioritize talents with work experience, making her two previous experiences as quality intern her bargaining power. Effectively showcasing bargaining power is also crucial in negotiating salary as it demonstrates the worth of one's experience. Furthermore, maintaining a GPA within a safe range is sufficient to show our responsibility during the study.

As she thrives her career in engineering, Sabrina hopes she could convey these two principles earlier: expanding her network as soon as possible to be exposed better into collaboration with stakeholders in the industry; and maintaining a growth mindset as to not be discouraged by academic failures, since chances to explore better exist in work. Therefore, Sabrina strongly encourages her peers not to dwell too much on failures or be satisfied with success while in the process of progress.

The scorching heat of the Earth’s interior, pipes sprouting out of the ground like worms after a rainy day, and the white steam rising like a cloud plume are not the images that many people think of when they hear the phrase "Mechanical Engineering Graduate Entry Jobs". Vincentius Adven Brilian, also known as Adven or Mas Adven, graduated from Mechanical Engineering UGM in 2023 and has managed to establish himself as an example of a mechanical engineering graduate working in the geothermal energy industry, which graduates of geoscience and mining-petroleum engineering primarily occupy. Adven is currently working as a Geothermal Production Engineer at PT Geoenergis Indonesia.

Although it was not a typical career route for a mechanical engineering graduate, he had been planning to become a geothermal engineer for a long time. It arose from his interest in the geothermal field, which had expanded from his first year of college through multiple competitions. However, Adven stated that when preparing for a career as a geothermal engineer, especially within the reservoir and production subsector, he noticed that there was a knowledge gap between this line of work and the mechanical engineering curriculum he had studied in college. To bridge this gap, Adven often conducts learning activities outside of lectures. He routinely participated in geothermal engineering project competitions and webinars, which allowed him to improve and hone his talents in this area. He also studied independently using textbooks and online resources to validate the results he obtained from hands-on learning in competitions.

So, what exactly is geothermal engineering? Geothermal engineering is the use of technology and engineering sciences to harness natural Earth's heat. Geothermal engineering is classified into three sub sectors: reservoir, production, and power plant. Geothermal reservoir engineering sub-sector focuses on the determination of well locations and continues with several measurements within the wellbore. Meanwhile, geothermal production engineering is responsible for connecting reservoirs and power plants, as well as dealing with surface piping. Finally, the power plant sub-sector handles energy generation from geothermal energy using a variety of thermodynamically viable processes. This industry also employs many supporting engineers, including electrical engineers, civil engineers, and chemical engineers.

Among these three sub sectors, Adven chose to work on the production subsector. He feels that the reservoir and production subsectors offer numerous development potentials that can be exploited. In essence, the "playground" for these two sub sectors is extremely broad, compared to the power plant sub sector where most of the technology has already matured. Adven also considers this because he is interested in research and development.

As a consulting company, Geoenergis provides solutions to its clients around the topics of, but not limited to, geothermal geoscience surveys and well targeting, resource assessment and feasibility study, exploration strategy, due diligence, geothermal education for local community and public, reservoir engineering and modelling, environmental and social study for geothermal study, field development strategy, drilling and workover. The solutions are provided in the form of recommendation reports, while the execution of the recommendations remain on the hand of the client as the geothermal field or power plant owner. Even so, Adven explained that the work he does is still quite similar to that of a geothermal engineer at an operator company. Apart from that, working at the consulting company provides flexibility in time and place, working can be done from anywhere, so it will be easier to complete assignments.

The ability to use versatile software, such as Microsoft Office, which is necessary for creating reports and presentations, is undoubtedly the most crucial hard skill. Aside from that, mastery of Reservoir Simulation Software is equally vital in the reservoir sector. Regarding soft skills, Adven believes that effective communication skills is a critical ability for teamwork. He underlined that as their coworkers and clients come from a variety of backgrounds, they need to be masters at interpreting context and adjusting language in presentations. To bridge the knowledge and skill gaps, particularly in hard skills, Adven enrolled in numerous training courses (online courses). Adven also attends several seminars on topics pertinent to his profession.

Adven went through a recruitment process that can be deemed to be unusual. He got admitted at Geoenergis through talent scouting. This was strongly tied to his active participation in geothermal project competitions during his university years, which brought him into contact with a recruiter who was a judge at the time. Adven's participation in the competition produced high-quality outcomes that have already met industry requirements. From his experience, Adven realized that competitions and international conferences could serve as a platform to showcase one’s expertise and promote them to a larger audience.

Irfan Adiyanto graduated mechanical engineering program at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November in 2017. He became Asia's youngest Project Manager. Initially, he had no intention to work in Power Generations industry. Earlier, Irfan Adiyanto was more interested in aviation. He interned as Maintenance Engineer at GMF AeroAsia before moving on to work in the power-generating industry.

Around 2017, Irfan Adiyanto joined General Electric as Project Engineer. Irfan's work as a Project Engineer covers beyond technical aspects from Project execution, engineering, procurement until finance. In 2019, He was seeking another opportunity inside the company for another role which at that time Field Engineer position was vacant based in Malaysia, then he applied for that role and got recommendations by GE's Operations Manager for the opportunity to work as Commissioning Engineer on two gas power projects in Asia. Commissioning Engineer is a combination of mechanical, Instrument & Control engineering discipline, therefore Irfan Adiyanto must be hands-on in testing the new power plant. Becoming a Commissioning Engineer requires him to be away from his family, although receiving a high salary. After three years, he was promoted to become Regional Project Manager in Southeast Asia for Conversion, Modifications & Upgrade Project, where He currently manages around 20 active fast-moving projects simultaneously. And there are numerous advantages to becoming a PM after having worked as a Field Engineer. He has a greater understanding of the issues faced by the field team.

Irfan Adiyanto began as a contract employee with General Electric and was hired after becoming a field engineer in Malaysia. At the beginning of the selection process, the GPA must be greater than 3. Organisation, communication, and English language skills are all evaluated. It is also crucial to highlight experiences obtained while participating in university activities. After the CV screening process, HR, Senior, and User will conduct an interview.

No specific certificate is needed to register at General Electric. However, a three-year PMI certificate is needed if you want to be a project manager there. The renewal process itself needs to participate in PMI training over a three-year period. Aside from that, networking and administration abilities are required both internally and externally. Moreover, PM need to be able to work nearly 24 hours a day for coordinations & monitoring the project in order to operate in the Asian market, which presents time zone differences. In addition, having numerous senior teams necessitates that PM maintains both direct and online leadership abilities too.

Irfan Adiyanto thought that at GE, everyone was highly professional and that the company's culture of openness was exceptional. Since GE is a multi-company, time is valuable due to its higher productivity rate. GE prioritises quality over quantity in order to create further growth opportunities.

Irfan Adiyanto believes that We dont always get the job you want, you shouldn't be worry. Just focus what you have and keep developing yourself,Complaining won't help us; instead, look for internal networking opportunities and have a positive attitude at all times. And believe your moment will come. Irfan Adiyanto felt the need to implement a growth mindset , be flexible, humble & transparent. Since starting work at GE, everyone has put in a lot of effort and taken their own portion. Understanding the surroundings is necessary to keep growing. Determine your way of exploring, assess yourself, and set a goal.

Ms. Fatima graduated from Power Engineering program at Institut Teknologi Bandung. Before joining Schneider Electric, Ms. Fatima worked as an Electrical Engineer at Syntek Energy and Control. More information can be found here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatimaulyas/). She is currently switching track from engineering to sales. So, what exactly is a Technical Support Engineer? How to be a Schneider Electric employee?

Ms. Fatima has been pursuing a career in engineering since her internship. Knowing that Schneider Electric existed, she attempted to apply. Initially, it wasn't for Technical Support Engineer role but other role that she did not pass. But it didn't end there. She was offered the role of Technical Support Engineer, which then she accepted.

A Technical Support Engineer's job is very similar to customer service but in the technical sector. Her day-to-day job as a Technical Support Engineer is responsible for pre-sales and post-sales. Starting with recommending products that are suitable for the customer to installation and troubleshooting. To explain it to clients, you must have at least basic electrical understanding as well as strong troubleshooting skills. Ms. Fatima's job requires her to interact with customers of diverse genders, ages, and needs. As a Technical Support Engineer, she must be able to comprehend them. Because most of the products marketed are low and medium voltage, people from other electricity-related departments such as Engineering Physics have the same potential to work in this role. This role is also very suitable for vocational graduates. Working as a Technical Support Engineer is not difficult. The work hours are normally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The screening of CVs will be the first step in the hiring process. The screened CV will be adjusted according to the position being applied for. Basic engineering abilities, communication skills, and prior internships will be considered for Technical Support Engineer role. Having organizational experience will also improve your ability to interact with a variety of people. The minimal GPA for every role also differs. Once your CV has been reviewed and approved, you will be required to participate in interviews with HR, users, directors, and finally a medical check-up. The interviewer will evaluate how you suit the job during the interview. You will be required to explain electricity in this case or even your thesis.

Schneider Electric's recruitment process does not normally follow a set timeframe but rather adapts to the role's needs. In reality, various internship slots are now unfilled despite their need. Start connecting with HR Schneider Electric and checking updates on Instagram or LinkedIn. You can also contact Schneider Electric HR customer service by email. Do not be scared of asking experts and employees of the company.

Eko Fitrianto is a graduate of Bioengineering ITB in 2014. Currently, he is working as a process engineer at TRIPATRA. So, what is a process engineer and what does one need to prepare to become a process engineer?

After graduating from ITB, he started his professional career as a process engineer at KIS Group, a multinational EPC Company focusing on engineering and construction of biogas technology. Then he worked at BECIS, a multinational Energy as a Service (EaaS) company which focused on biomass energy plants as a senior feasibility engineer. And now he works as a process engineer in the Green Energy Directorate at TRIPATRA, which focuses on developing new sectors of the green energy business case.

Process engineers generally work to design, implement and optimize chemical & biochemical processes by process simulation, calculation, etc. In the Green Energy Directorate, Eko handles some projects related to sustainable green energy that have commercial feasibility to be developed such as biomass, biogas, waste heat recovery, green hydrogen, etc. In his daily work, Eko performs technical and commercial review of green energy projects, collecting technical data, communicating with vendors about proposals and quotations, doing technical clarification, until getting commercial numbers of the project to be simulated into a financial model which are then compiled into a report as a reference to make final decisions on whether to go or no-go projects. With the team, he also explores new green energy technology cases which are worth developing in the near future starting from analyzing potential technology, collecting the technology provider, and making a communication with them until the project comes and matures enough to be developed and executed further.

Regarding recruitment paths, especially for fresh graduates, there are generally 2 paths: Management Trainee (MT) and Normal Path. Both have fairly similar processes, from CV screening, psychological tests, HR and User Interviews, medical check-ups, and offering. In the normal path, the position and department are clear from the beginning, while for MT, there is usually training and applicants will be rotated through various department positions and assigned to several projects until the final stage where applicants will be offered a position in a department. It should be noted that the MT mechanism in each company is different; for TRIPATRA, the MT process takes about 2 years.

Finally, some tips from Eko: he believes that career readiness has to be prepared when you're still in college. He strongly advises students to gain more experience and connections during college, especially in activities like competitions, internships, student organizations, etc. He also recommends students to maintain their academic grades as high as possible since in many big companies, there is usually a minimum GPA requirement as per their standard. For the interview stage, we need to research the company, prepare the strategy, and be ourselves when answering questions. Some specific skills that can increase the added value of the process engineer are computer literacy, for example, data analytics, data visualization, pitching skills, and the most important thing is being capable of using some process simulation software. For fundamental science and engineering knowledge, generally it was already covered through the course in college. But in reality, sometimes we have to face new things that we haven't learnt before in college. So, we have to be more agile and curious to learn new things. In the professional world, everything is always integrated. There is no single knowledge that stands alone, it is always interdisciplinary knowledge and team collaboration.

Maringan Cipto Budi Handoyo, affectionately known as Maringan, began his career journey at CEGELEC Indonesia as a Project Engineer and Electrical Engineer simultaneously, which helped him carve out his future career path. Looking back, Maringan envisioned a career in project management, leveraging the expertise he had cultivated.

Eventually, he seized an opportunity to work as a Techno-Commercial Engineer at Schneider Electric, responsible for tendering and project execution activities. Continuing his development, Maringan was entrusted with the role of Export Project Management Lead for a year before transitioning to domestic management. In 2021, he was appointed to an operational position as the Sustainability & SERE (Safety, Environment, and Real Estate) Manager, expanding his expertise in the sustainability field.

After a couple of years, he gained the trust to lead the Indonesia Hub Execution Center, where he oversees a wider scope encompassing tendering, project management, and engineering project solution activities. According to him, a Project Manager's role is to ensure all stakeholders' functions run efficiently and accurately, bringing together a series of links to achieve the same aim. A Project Manager must be capable of managing the scope of work, time, budget, and resources.

Maringan believes that becoming a Project Manager necessitates several skills. Engineering hard skills in each scientific discipline must be mastered, and he even enrolled in a Primavera certification course to pursue his career as a Project Manager.

In addition to literacy skills, life and career skills such as adaptation, initiative, cultural skills, productivity, accountability, and leadership are required. The second category is learning and innovation, which includes problem-solving, communication, creativity, cooperation, and critical thinking. Soft skills, particularly in communication, play a crucial role. How a candidate explains, describes, analyzes, and plans impacts will demonstrate their potential as a great Project Manager or highlight areas for further development.

In an era where business transformation strategies are rapidly changing, having more talent is crucial. Companies look for individuals who collaborate effectively and are open to new challenges. Maringan’s career shifts have led him to expand his comfort zone rather than simply move on. To him, embracing the challenge and achieving something worthwhile is appreciated and brings significant value.

In addition to formal education and hard skills, personal attitudes and soft skills are also crucial. Mental development is essential and as we develop, our lives change. It's natural to feel intimidated, but perseverance is key. "Making mistakes is part of the learning process, and pushing oneself beyond the comfort zone is vital for growth," adds Maringan.

As Maringan reflects on his career journey, he is also reminded of his candidacy journey when he applied to Schneider Electric. Generally, applicants seeking to work at Schneider must undergo several interview steps. The first round involves a Talent Acquisition interview, which includes questions on Schneider Company Values and the applicants' work motivation. This is followed by a user interview assessing applicants based on their experiences and skills relative to the requirements. The interview aims to determine the applicant's developmental potential, eagerness to learn, willingness to go above and beyond, and understanding of a scientific discipline. In some cases, a general ability test will be conducted. If successful, applicants will be required to undergo a medical checkup and additional reference checks.

"My top tip to anyone seeking to join this longstanding global company is to show that you’re driven by the spirit to make an impact and contribute to the business, people, and our environment," ends Maringan.

Overall, Maringan Cipto's journey demonstrates the importance of being curious to master different fields, exhibiting perseverance in achieving career success, and staying committed to a bigger purpose.

“REACHING A CERTAIN KPI IS ANOTHER LEVEL OF SATISFACTION”

Mr. Husin is a professional experienced Head Of Sales and Product Management with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. He has a strong finance professional skill in Operational Risk, Payment Systems, Banking, Payments, Digital & Cash Management and Supply Chain financing and is currently working as the Head of Sales Global Transaction Services at PT Bank DBS Indonesia.

Throughout his career, he achieved plenty of milestones, including leading the partnership with Flip.id (fintech) in implementing a no-fee online transaction that led to almost 100% new customers during the pandemic. It was a time where he successfully developed and executed a sales strategy that exceeded targets.

In sales, Mr. Husin mentioned processes to reach the Key Performance Indicator (KPI), such as Search the perfect market, Planning, Utilizing stakeholders, Execution, and Monitoring. Mr. Husin implements the 3C method: Communicate, Connect, & Collaborate, to create a great team with the Marketing division, as he mentioned Sales and Marketing is inseparable. Nevertheless, Mr. Husin always knows what he’s doing in order to create a great team and reach KPI as it is another level of satisfaction for him every time he reached the target.

The most valuable lesson Mr. Husin learned throughout his career is that having a positive thinking, intense discussion, and asking politely, leads to positivity where people will help him to reach goals (KPI). However, a value that Mr. Husin wished to know earlier is ‘being affirmative eases life more’. By being firm to say yes and no, Mr. Husin realized that it eases him to reach goals and maximize output with a shorter time and less effort. Therefore, it is important to give firm responses in professional work.

Mr Fakhrul Aufa graduated from IPB with a bachelor's degree and UI with a master's degree in finance. His track record in finance can be tracked from June 2011 as the head of Research and Market Information at IBPA Indonesia Stock Exchange. He is currently working as a Team Leader in business Development and Strategic Partnership at PT Sarana Multi Infrastructure. We can see his experience in finance from his studies to his workplace, so are you interested in finance or do you want to know how to be like Fakhrul Aufa?

Mr Fakrul always pursuing his studies in finance. At IPB he was studying macro-finance and cost analysis. He said that finance (especially in construction) is about cost feasibility. It is important since a lot of projects or technological advancements often forget about costs and installation or manufacturing. If you want to learn more about finance but not in that faculty, you can take a subject about cost and management feasibility in your study program.

PT Sarana Multi Infrastructure (SMI) itself is a state-owned company (BUMN) that connects the government to contractors in building infrastructure or doing a government policy. You can think of it as a government representative that manages the money to build government infrastructure. As a finance specialist, his work in SMI consists of two things, first involving a money lending plan and second consisting of monitoring. In the money lending plan, his work involves preparing documents about the scale of projects, environmental control, licensing, and so on. After that, the work consists of surveying the site of construction, whether is it as it says on the document, whether is it feasible, and checking many others. The conclusion from the document and survey will be made in the report, and with that, it will be decided if the projects will be funded or not by the government.

For those who are interested in PT SMI, Mr Fakhrul says it’s not about money or finances alone. You can join SMI even though you are not from finance. Because if you want a project to be done, you must discuss it with other people who have different abilities and perspectives. Although as we stated before that base knowledge about money management is a must. You can learn it from your daily life activity. For example, for living costs and for doing a campus activity, you still need to manage the money that you have. Because modern society runs around money, cost management is not separate from our lives.

Back to Mr Fakhrul, if you want to join PT SMI you can try it first in apprenticeship. PT SMI are opening an apprenticeship program every year that opens on LinkedIn or a website. The division for your apprenticeship itself is not about money, it depends on the needs of the company. The benefit of an apprenticeship program is not just learning in work but you can also be paid depending on your work, so it is pretty good. But if you are ready to join you can register with the company usually through HR calls or the website. For now, PT SMI is still recruiting experienced workers (around 2-3 years of work experience) because of job requirements. So it still rarely recruits fresh graduates. But you can still be joining the apprenticeship program.

For those who are still nervous or uncertain about joining or not. Mr Fakhrul has good news for you. because it is a state-owned company, the future and work balance are standardized by the government just like other state-owned companies. For salary itself, you can get 15 times payments per year including holiday allowance and daily allowances like transportation and uniform (Batik and formal wear). For other allowances depending on the year, you can get around 5 – 7 times your normal salary. Another benefit of joining PT SMI is you get help to get a home loan. So your daily life and future is secured.

So are you interested in Finance? Or do you want to be like Mr Fakhrul who gets success in a finance company? Or you are interested in joining PT SMI? Whatever your choice is, you cannot work alone, just like the other every person has different abilities. For us to solve the problem we need to we need to work together to come up with a resolution.

Putra Adhiguna and his colleague established the Energy Shift Institute as an energy research institution focusing on East and Southeast Asia’s energy transition, including Indonesia. They explore the shifting patterns, levers of changes and challenges in energy transition. Energy Shift produces thought leadership publications for stakeholders such as investors and policymakers.

The technical nature of the energy transition often requires a nuanced understanding of how investors, corporations and governments behave. Energy Shift positions itself as a credible information provider to spark conversations which are often too sensitive for existing stakeholders to raise, yet too technical for the climate movement to address.

One of the differences between a think tank and a consultant typically lies in the non-profit nature of a think tank which can allow it to better maintain independence. Energy Shift operates as a non-profit institution with the primary goal of preserving its independence in providing evidence-based analyses on the energy transition.

With a strong background in oil, gas and geothermal energy, Putra Adhiguna transitioned to the non-profit sector. He sees the need for a better understanding of Indonesia's energy direction, particularly in the context of the global energy transition. While transitioning from the commercial sector to the non-profit sector is not too common, Putra believes that think tanks can play a strategic role in providing insights and shaping an informed public discourse.

The Energy Shift Institute provides views for financial institutions investing in the energy sector, helping to distinguish between promising opportunities and the ‘gimmicks’. Greenwashing remains a large risk in the Southeast Asian region given the wide information asymmetry between the public, government and private sector.

In choosing a career in a think tank, it is important to consider the need for a combination of practical experience and theoretical understanding. Think tanks also require individuals with a strong interest in change and progress in public discourse.

Energy Shift Institute typically seeks individuals with 3-5 years of relevant work experience in energy or finance to join them. Think tanks like the Energy Shift Institute play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and providing different perspectives on energy transition.

Think tanks revenue typically rely on the various funding institutions which they collaborate with. Non-profit institutions are not too well suited for individuals who seek rapid income growth but can provide a strong learning platform while making impactful works. However, as young professionals progress in becoming an expert in their fields, opportunities for career and income development will naturally come by, whether within the non-profit sector or outside.

Energy Shift Institute emerges as a key entity supporting sustainable energy transition in East and Southeast Asia. It seeks to push the envelope of understanding the energy transition opportunities and risks for investors, policymakers and the public alike.

“The Making of a Project Specialist: Afgan Rosa Megantara’s Journey at BCG”

Afgan Rosa Megantara, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Bandung Institute of Technology, embodies a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. With a strong passion for the energy industry, Afgan has honed skills in renewable energy planning, oil and gas piping, decarbonization strategies, and electric vehicle market penetration. Beyond engineering, he has cultivated a deep interest in business and economics, always striving to push beyond his comfort zone. Known for his commitment to hard work, effective communication, leadership, and attention to detail, Afgan now excels as a Project Specialist at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he contributes to transformative projects across industries.

In his role at BCG, Afgan navigates diverse responsibilities based on project needs. These include collecting critical data from clients—such as budgets, operational processes, and key challenges—to frame the context of each project. For instance, when tasked with improving a company’s production processes, he analyzes workflows and identifies bottlenecks. Afgan then dives into data analysis, proposing initial solutions tailored to the client’s specific needs. Additionally, he manages team administration, ensuring seamless coordination throughout the project lifecycle.

Despite the rewarding nature of his work, Afgan acknowledges the challenges inherent to the consulting industry. High work hours paired with the demand for exceptional quality often test his resilience. Managing consulting projects requires juggling multiple tasks and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders, ranging from managers to directors. For fresh graduates like Afgan, the steep learning curve of handling client interactions poses another layer of difficulty.

Adapting to this high-pressure environment involves deliberate effort. Afgan suggests a two-step approach: first, analyze the expectations of the industry, and second, assess personal capabilities to meet those expectations. Continuous learning and self-improvement are crucial in bridging the gap between these two.

Reflecting on his journey, Afgan credits his tenure as Ex-President of SRE ITB for equipping him with vital skills for the corporate world. Leading SRE ITB gave him hands-on experience in communication, project management, and client handling, which have become essential tools in his current role.

The recruitment process at BCG, according to Afgan, is rigorous yet straightforward, involving a single interview and market-sizing task. His persistence paid off despite facing rejections in previous attempts. He emphasizes the importance of three key skills to thrive as a Project Specialist: effective communication in English for engaging with global stakeholders, analytical thinking to craft impactful solutions, and a can-do attitude to tackle challenges with confidence.

Afgan’s journey is also marked by valuable milestones, such as working alongside top-tier professionals and reporting directly to firm directors. These experiences have boosted his confidence and broadened his perspective.

In closing, Afgan underlines the importance of avoiding common pitfalls, such as failing to analyze and align with company expectations. His advice for aspiring professionals? Work hard, work smart, and cultivate a robust network. Afgan’s story is a testament to how a blend of passion, adaptability, and perseverance can lead to success in the competitive world of consulting.

“Cultivating Project Management Through Navigating a Career In Consulting”

Farid Fardan, or simply Fardan, is a final year student at the School of Business and Management (SBM) ITB, and the founder of Navigate. Fardan founded Navigate because of his deep love for the learning process and his principle of inclusivity, with the aim of not being exclusive. In addition, he is very enthusiastic about playing an active role in various projects. One of his valuable experiences was when he was involved in Wave 16 by YLI by McKinsey & Co., which led him to the role of project manager at Blibli.

In the consulting industry, project management is a way for companies to solve client problems efficiently, and Fardan explains that there are two main types of roles: client-facing roles and non-client-facing roles, both of which have the responsibility of determining the right solution for the client.

As a project manager, Fardan revealed that the working environment in the consulting industry is very efficient. The brainstorming process is short and immediately followed by alignment, where each team member has their own responsibilities. The problem is broken down into elements and divided into streams that are then worked on quickly by the team.

To be successful in consulting, one must show high interest and be a high achiever, as consulting jobs demand long working hours, deep thinking, high endurance, as well as the ability to lead and create significant impact. In addition, some of the key skills required are problem solving, analytical thinking, clear communication, math skills, and strong social skills.

There are 4 skills that support becoming someone who is engaged in consulting. Problem solving is the ability to solve various problems systematically, which can be applied in various situations. Creative thinking focuses more on open thinking and finding unconventional solutions. Communication is the key to conveying ideas clearly and effectively. In addition, learning how to learn or mental learning is the ability to understand the most effective ways to learn, while tracking the code refers to the process of monitoring and evaluating the learning methods that have been applied to make them more efficient and productive.

In the recruitment process, you can prepare by practicing different types of interview questions, and find friends with similar interests to practice with. It is also a good idea to utilize LinkedIn to connect with HR in the consulting field. The main focus of the selection process is the case interview, which is the core part of the interview, and it is important to understand the interview format which generally consists of several rounds, with each round containing several interview sessions. In preparing your CV, it is important to highlight skills that are relevant to the projects you have worked on, implicitly emphasizing your leadership abilities when running projects. Choosing the right projects and demonstrating these skills will be key to standing out in the consulting world.

To succeed in consulting, in addition to possessing sound technical skills, one must also demonstrate leadership qualities, resilience, and the ability to think creatively and analytically. Taking part in relevant projects, practicing intensively, as well as being well-prepared through various resources are essential steps to kick-starting a career in this industry.

Mr. Firmansjah graduated from ITS’s civil engineering program. Despite being a civil engineering graduate, Mr. Firmansjah explored the field of management consulting and many other fields. In his process before entering the field of management consulting, Mr. Firmansjah built crucial skills such as problem solving, data analysis, and project management as a civil engineering student. After graduating, Mr. Firmansjah actively seeked opportunities in the consulting industry, preparing for interviews through case studies, and showing his abilities to understand business challenges.

Mr. Firmansjah’s process to become a management consultant at McKinsey & Company starts with a highly selective CV screening process, which is followed by a case based & fit interview. Mr. Firmansjah’s greatest challenge was on how he could learn specific problem solving techniques for consulting and to adapt to the fast paced work environment in the consulting industry. To face the challenges, Mr. Firmansjah consistently studied and prepared, joined mock interviews, and practiced his communication skills in order to give convincing arguments.

Mr. Firmansjah’s key to adapting to new challenges in new industries and situations is through a quick and flexible approach to learning. Mr. Firmansjah always begins by understanding the specific industry context or challenges faced by his clients and finding the best references to understand them. Other than that, Mr. Firmansjah focuses collaborating with his colleagues and clients in order to get diverse perspectives, Mr Firmansjah’s openness to feedback and his strong desire to learn helps him adapt quickly to different industries and positions.

To enter and excel in the management consulting industry, a few skills that that are necessary to learn according to Mr. Firmansjah are structured problem solving skills, strong data analysis skills, ability to use tools such as Excel and TableAu, effective communication skills both written and verbal, ability to collaborate with many parties from different backgrounds, and good time management which is needed to adapt to a high pressure environment.

Throughout Mr. Firmansjah’s career journey in many industries and positions, there are a few tips that he always sticked with :

1. Always be willing to learn and be open to new lessons

2. Build good relationships with colleagues and clients

3. Focus on the impact of your work, not just the activities itself

4. Keep a good balance between work and life for long term productivity

5. Use feedback and criticism as a way to develop yourself

“DRIVING GEOTHERMAL INNOVATION AS A LEAD DnC ENGINEER”

Ahmad Aufy Trisna Nugraha serves as a Lead Drilling and Completion Engineer at Star Energy Geothermal. His journey is a testament to the importance of technical expertise, problem-solving, and a commitment to renewable energy innovation.

Ahmad’s primary responsibility revolves around overseeing the drilling process from start to finish. This includes planning, execution, and continuous improvement. His tasks are highly detailed, ranging from cost estimation, contract preparation, and material procurement to real-time monitoring of drilling operations and troubleshooting challenges on-site. "As a drilling engineer, you’re involved 24/7 in ensuring every well is successfully drilled according to plan," Ahmad explains. His role also requires analyzing drilling results and implementing improvements for future projects, ensuring Star Energy Geothermal’s operations remain efficient and sustainable.

One of the most significant challenges Ahmad encounters is dealing with technical issues like stuck pipes during drilling. In a recent case, swift collaboration among teams and detailed problem analysis allowed him to resolve a stuck pipe issue efficiently, minimizing delays.

Ahmad’s journey into the geothermal sector began with a strong academic background in engineering and a passion for renewable energy. The recruitment process for his role included several steps:

1. CV Screening: Highlighting relevant technical skills, internships, and leadership experience was crucial.

2. Technical Test: This evaluated candidates' understanding of drilling operations and related engineering principles.

3. In-depth Interviews: These focused on technical problem-solving abilities and alignment with Star Energy Geothermal’s mission.

Ahmad notes that while the process is rigorous, preparation is key. "Understand the company’s background and the specific needs of the role. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute uniquely to their operations."

Ahmad’s daily activities include finalizing drilling programs, communicating plans to stakeholders, and continuously monitoring drilling progress. His work often extends beyond standard hours due to the 24/7 nature of drilling operations. Yet, he finds the challenges rewarding, especially when working on exploratory projects in untapped geothermal fields. "Exploration is particularly exciting because it involves solving unknowns and considering various scenarios," he shares. These experiences have not only deepened his expertise but also broadened his perspective on renewable energy’s potential.

Ahmad emphasizes the importance of both technical and non-technical skills for success in the field. Technical skills to nderstanding drilling equipment and fundamentals of geothermal operations. And non-technical skills: Confidence, accurate analysis under pressure, and adaptability to field and office environments. He also encourages young professionals to diversify their experience by working in oil and gas sectors during downtime in geothermal drilling. "This will broaden your expertise and ensure career sustainability," he advises.

For Ahmad, the most valuable lesson is recognizing geothermal energy’s untapped potential. "Indonesia has enormous geothermal resources, yet we’ve only scratched the surface. More skilled professionals are needed to drive its growth." To those aspiring to join the geothermal sector, Ahmad recommends attending industry conferences, reading technical literature, and participating in webinars and society events related to geothermal drilling. "Stay curious and proactive. The more you learn and connect with the industry, the greater your impact will be," Ahmad concludes.

Ahmad Aufy Trisna Nugraha’s dedication to geothermal energy exemplifies how innovation, teamwork, and continuous learning can drive meaningful change in renewable energy development.

Heri Suandhito: Leading Wellsite Operations with Safety and Innovation

Heri Suandhito has built a distinguished career as a Wellsite Representative at Pertamina Hulu Rokan, playing a critical role in managing operations and ensuring safety in the oil and gas industry. With years of experience and a dedication to continuous improvement, he has been instrumental in driving efficiency and innovation.

Heri's responsibilities revolve around overseeing daily well service and rigless operations involving multiple rigs and units. His duties include maintaining safety through HSSE compliance, managing contractor personnel, and producing detailed reports to ensure cost control. Despite facing challenges like limited equipment and increasing targets, Heri fosters collaboration through cross-team prioritization meetings to keep projects on track.

For recruitment, Pertamina Hulu Rokan looks for both experienced professionals and fresh graduates who are eager to learn. Certifications such as APS (Ahli Pengendali Sumur) or IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors) give candidates a competitive edge. Heri highlights the importance of researching company needs and pursuing certifications relevant to the role.

To succeed as a Wellsite Representative, mastering technical and non-technical skills is essential. Heri emphasizes the importance of technical expertise in oil and gas, complemented by certifications like TOEFL to strengthen soft skills. He advises breaking tasks into priorities and collaborating with colleagues to stay focused under pressure.

One of Heri’s most impactful contributions is through Pertamina Hulu Rokan's Continuous Improvement Program (CIP). His projects, like Project A in 2022 and Project B in 2023, have saved billions of rupiah annually by simplifying procedures, reducing material usage, and maintaining safety.

Heri believes in the power of innovation. He encourages young professionals to actively engage in learning, participate in seminars, and develop innovative projects. "Companies value employees who simplify procedures, optimize resources, and prioritize safety," he says, inspiring the next generation to excel in the industry.

Pioneering Renewable Energy with Riki Khomarudin

Riki Khomarudin, a Senior Electrical Engineer at Prima Energi Consult, plays a critical role in project management within the energy consulting sector. His work involves organizing and integrating teams of experts to meet project demands, with a strong focus on technical aspects such as electrical systems and simulation models. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is vital to ensure that project deliverables align with client requirements, which often evolve during the process.

In the renewable energy sector, Khomarudin's responsibilities extend to ensuring projects are completed on time, conducting assessments, and presenting findings to clients through review meetings. His expertise in managing technical deliverables while addressing changing client needs has been instrumental in advancing the adoption of renewable energy solutions. With 80% of his work dedicated to renewable energy, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, Khomarudin actively supports Indonesia’s goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 and a 23% renewable energy mix by 2025.

Recruiting for technical roles in energy consulting is a complex process that varies by company. It typically involves interviews with management, skill tests, and professional development programs (PDPs). For aspiring professionals, relevant experience through internships, academic projects, or research collaborations is highly valued. Mastery of specialized software, often specified in job descriptions, is essential. Khomarudin emphasizes the importance of leveraging alumni networks, such as those from ITB, to build connections and gain an edge in this competitive field.

Khomarudin highlights the challenges of working in renewable energy consulting, including the dependency on incoming projects and the need for strategic responses to client proposals. Keeping up with rapid technological advancements is crucial, which he achieves by participating in webinars, professional forums, and discussions on platforms like Telegram. He also collaborates with peers to exchange knowledge and stay updated on industry trends. Public speaking, English proficiency, and personal branding through technical portfolios are essential skills for success in this dynamic field.

One of Khomarudin's most memorable projects was the feasibility study for a 462 MW nuclear power plant in West Kalimantan, slated for implementation in 2035. This unique project reflects the integration of advanced technology with meticulous planning, setting a benchmark for innovation in Indonesia. While conventional energy projects offer stability with established technologies, renewable energy presents dynamic challenges, from adapting to new regulations to managing client expectations. For Khomarudin, the excitement lies in renewable energy’s constant evolution, offering endless opportunities for growth and innovation.

Jesslyn Jie was a consultant specialized in environmental geology at Jacobs Group Indonesia. Jesslyn graduated from the Bandung Institute of Technology with a background in Geological Engineering. Her career began with an internship at the same company while she was still in college, and she chose to continue her career in the same field. From her perspective, the position filled both the sense of problem-solving and engineering that she is passionate about. She is willing to share her experiences while being an environmental consultant at Jacobs.

In general, environmental consultants assess sites owned by clients, especially in checking land contamination boundaries and proposing remediation plans for those sites. Environmental consultants also serve as intermediaries between clients and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) in terms of reporting remediation proposals by clients. Other than geological engineering, the work in this field also requires knowledge relevant to chemical, civil, and environmental engineering to ensure the remediation process, infrastructure needed, and the HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) aspects.

The standard to apply as an intern varies between companies. At Jacobs, general knowledge related to the job is valued. After acceptance, the company will provide support in training for relevant technical skills and obtaining certifications. Working at Jacobs also fosters a culture of work-life balance. In Jesslyn's case, the work commonly depends on client’s demand, affording her the option to work from either the office or home while also providing opportunities to travel to various locations depending on client sites. The salary received is fair for living expenses, and there is no overtime work.

Jesslyn has set her dream company since her second year of college. She recommends narrowing down the search to the following steps: the desired sector, the potential companies, and the top-ranked companies. Sorting for potential companies can be done by reading information from platforms such as LinkedIn or Glassdoor.

"Be strategic and allocate your energy in the right aspects," Jesslyn said when asked what steps students can take now to stand out as job applicants later. It is suggested to gain the desired output for the positions you are targeting while developing yourself in college, as it will help effectively allocate the efforts in securing the position. The recruitment process varies for each company. At Jacobs, this process consists of three stages: document screening, user interview, and HR interview.

The CV is the first tool in document screening to showcase our capabilities. Highlight your academic responsibilities by maintaining good records or collaborating on papers. It's also recommended to participate in activities such as conferences involving your dream company to learn more about it and expand your network. Once you pass the document screening stage, the interview is the time to showcase your personality and work ethic. Relevant soft skills such as communication will be evaluated during this step. The interviewer will assess interest based on how well you can follow the conversation flow, so it's important to understand technical terms and topics in the field you're entering.

Jacobs' recruitment process timeline does not formally follow a specific timeframe, so it's important to be updated about information regarding open positions in the company. Finally, Jesslyn encourages people to pursue careers in green jobs, as to sustain economic growth, we need to first sustain the environment.

Aufar Satria earned a mechanical engineering degree from Institut Teknologi Bandung, a master of business administration from University of Cambridge, and is currently pursuing a master of public administration at Harvard University. He was very into engineering and got practical experience as an operations maintenance technician at the CCPP power plant. As a person who enjoys trying new things, he believes that practical experience, such as day-to-day maintenance, lacks of innovation and boring. He thought the job was less challenging, especially for someone who enjoys problem-solving. After completing an internship at Gojek, Aufar developed an interest in consulting, particularly on climate solutions.

Aufar believed that if he became a consultant, he could collaborate on any topic. Aufar was assigned to a team as a consultant to help corporations handle their challenges. Starting with profit, technology, and firms looking to reach new markets. Becoming a mechanical engineering graduate and working as a consultant was not in pointless. The fundamentals of engineering may be applied anywhere, specifically when it comes to providing data and fact-based solutions. Engineers think logically and structurally, while also possessing strong learning ability. Consulting companies will supply libraries, resources, and expertise to assist consultants with their work. Furthermore, each consultant will be required to attend meetings, create slides, use Excel, and perform other tasks on a daily basis.

An open recruitment phase for fresh graduates to become consultants lasts around one to two months. It varies on each company's timeline. Usually consists of two or three steps. The first stage will be a CV screening or written test. When reviewing CVs, selectors look for analytical skills, organizational skills, and cleanliness. Analytical capabilities are commonly observed in GPA, project analysis, and academic skills such as software proficiency. Everything will be thoroughly assessed with the goal of determining how applicants might collaborate in the future. While organizational skills review is designed to assess applicants' ability to manage conflict. Cleanliness refers to how applicants branding themselves, CV's neatness, and the grammar they choose.

The second stage consists of an interview. Interviewers can be from project leader's team or others, depending on their availability. During the case interview, you will be given a prompt. Questions will be broad and open-ended, to generate the answer of the prompt. This case interview format is really specific. Do more mock interviews to improve your ability to do case interviews.

Aufar Satria wanted to expand his knowledge and thought consulting was a good fit. If you want to work as a consultant, you must first determine your own life priorities. Understand your own priorities and values before becoming a consultant. Decide if you are willing to accept the sacrifices. Working as a consultant can be stressful, particularly when dealing with demanding clients. But consulting is a place where you can learn something new every day!

"Pioneering Supply Chain Education in Indonesia through Next Supply Chain"

Azzahra Tsyania Baliarto is the CEO and Founder of Next Supply Chain, the first organization in Indonesia dedicated to supply chain management. Powered by McKinsey & Company, Next Supply Chain targets students and professionals who are eager to learn about the dynamics of supply chain systems. Azzahra founded the organization with the awareness that by 2050, there will be a significant demand for supply chain talent. Her journey began with this realization and a small survey conducted among her peers in the Industrial Engineering department at ITB (Institut Teknologi Bandung), where she was studying. Inspired by consulting organizations, Azzahra sought to build a community that would educate and raise awareness about supply chain management. A supply chain is an end-to-end process, encompassing everything from production to delivery to customers.

Azzahra Tsyania Baliarto’s leadership journey began when she was selected as one of the "Young Leaders for Indonesia," powered by McKinsey. She was appointed as the leader of one of their projects, which inspired her to establish Next Supply Chain. In the initial stages, Azzahra assumed the role of "Chief Everything Officer" before building a stable and dedicated team. As the ideator and lead for Research & Development (R&D), she focused on identifying market opportunities. Once the team and partnerships were established, she appointed key figures to vital roles, including Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Financial Officer.

As the CEO, Azzahra’s primary responsibility was to make strategic decisions and ensure their execution. Her role evolved from planning to execution and eventually to controlling. Despite the challenges, Azzahra found her team to be incredibly supportive, and she learned the importance of balancing leadership with friendship. Understanding and addressing the needs of the team were key to maintaining alignment and motivation toward common goals.

From her organizational experience, Azzahra realized that "proximity is fine, but nepotism should be avoided." She found that the closer one becomes to a team member, the more tolerance increases, but professionalism can sometimes diminish. Thus, it became crucial to find partners who shared her vision and understood the needs of the organization. Managing people with different roles has been a process of trial and error. Not all team members need to excel immediately. The goal is to understand, mentor, and guide them until they are ready to stand on their own. For Azzahra, the most important aspect was being at peace with herself and knowing how to influence and support others.

For Azzahra, one of the most rewarding moments of leading Next Supply Chain was when she created her personal Instagram account and began sharing the journey of building the organization from scratch. It was not an easy task, but the real sense of pride came when, over time, people started to understand the purpose and impact of the organization. At the beginning, many were unsure about the organization’s goals and outcomes, but as Next Supply Chain grew, more individuals began to recognize and align with its mission. Attracting sponsors and inviting notable speakers also became a point of pride. For a newly established organization, such milestones were incredibly valuable.

The organization has launched several programs, with many companies offering hands-on experience, and awareness of the importance of supply chain management has been growing. In addition, Next Supply Chain has received recognition and won several awards. Now, Azzahra’s network recognizes Next Supply Chain, and the team proudly lists their roles at the organization on LinkedIn. As a leader, Azzahra feels immense pride when seeing her team take pride in the accomplishments of their projects.

Building an organization requires perseverance. Azzahra believes in finishing what you start. As a leader, her role aligns with the wisdom of Ki Hajar Dewantara: "At the front, give direction; in the middle, support your team; and at the back, provide encouragement and backup." She understands the importance of being able to take on different roles and how to balance leadership with empathy. Azzahra emphasizes that leaders should never criticize their own team. Once you show genuine care for your team, they will reciprocate that loyalty.

Another important lesson Azzahra shares is to differentiate between professionalism and friendship. A leader must be a role model, prepared to set a positive example for the team. She stresses the importance of commitment, responsibility, and understanding that the team is a treasure that reflects the leader’s efforts. Regardless of external challenges, Azzahra believes that a strong team will overcome any obstacles and achieve success.

One of the significant challenges Azzahra faced in securing sponsors was that companies were hesitant to partner with organizations that did not yet have a portfolio. To tackle this, she employed a strategy called "blast," which involved reaching out personally to as many companies as possible. Azzahra made it a point to understand the vision and mission of each company, seeking alignment with Next Supply Chain’s goals. For example, if a company was focused on empowering youth, it became a priority to approach them for partnership. Azzahra found that companies are less likely to invest in small, emerging organizations, so networking became crucial. She made use of existing connections within companies to increase the chances of securing sponsorships. Every opportunity and networking moment was used to build a solid portfolio, step by step.

For Azzahra, supply chain management is an essential field, particularly for the younger generation today. It is a system of goods and services procurement that is omnipresent, and it is crucial knowledge for anyone looking to build a business. The demand for supply chain experts will continue to grow as trends like increasing exports expand.

The key lesson Azzahra learned as a leader is to never regret decisions, avoid overestimating or underestimating oneself, and always respect the team. A strong team is a reflection of a leader's efforts, and with a committed, responsible team, everything will work out. She encourages others to embrace every opportunity, try new things, and give their best effort without wasting any chances.

Building a Path in Renewable Energy: Insights from Oktoviano Gandhi

Oktoviano Gandhi, Co-Founder of Alva Energi, embodies the resilience and adaptability required to thrive in Indonesia's renewable energy sector. His journey began with an all-encompassing role, where he managed tasks ranging from securing projects and training employees to installing solar panels and handling administrative duties. In the startup's early days, multitasking was essential due to limited resources, making flexibility and hands-on involvement key to the company's initial success.

The path to building Alva Energi, however, was not without significant challenges. Gandhi points to the complexities of navigating Indonesia's regulatory landscape, particularly with PLN, the state-owned electricity company. Lengthy approval processes, sometimes taking up to 1.5 years, led to customer dissatisfaction and project delays. Additionally, educating both clients and regulatory bodies about solar energy solutions required a substantial investment of time and money, highlighting the uphill battle faced by renewable energy startups in raising awareness and driving adoption.

Recruiting the right talent is another area where Gandhi has faced hurdles. Platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed are used to find potential hires, but many applicants fail to meet the company’s basic criteria. For those brought on board, fostering growth and maintaining high safety standards in the high-risk electrical sector are priorities. Gandhi stresses the importance of adaptability and a willingness to take on diverse roles, as job responsibilities in a startup often extend far beyond formal job descriptions.

Despite the challenges, Gandhi remains motivated by the meaningful impact of Alva Energi's work, particularly in rural electrification projects. These initiatives provide electricity to villages that previously had none, significantly improving the quality of life for residents. For Gandhi, these projects hold deeper significance than commercial ventures focused solely on cost efficiency, as they create a lasting, tangible impact on communities.

Reflecting on his journey, Gandhi identifies self-discovery as one of his most valuable lessons. Through the process of building Alva Energi, he gained a clearer understanding of his strengths, weaknesses, and passions. He advises students and young professionals to explore diverse opportunities and avoid overly narrow career decisions early on. Gandhi’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and purpose-driven work in shaping a successful career in renewable energy.

“Developing Sustainable Business Ideas With Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem”

Adi Reza Nugroho, a graduate from the School of Architecture at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), has nurtured a passion for entrepreneurship from an early age. He previously served as the Co-founder and Creative Director of Growbox, a company offering do-it-yourself mushroom growing kits. In 2015, Growbox evolved into MYCL (Mycotech), where Adi now serves as Co-founder and CEO. MYCL is a biotech startup specializing in sustainable materials for global markets, providing high-performance, eco-friendly biomaterials for fashion and construction applications.

Under Adi's leadership, MYCL has gained recognition both locally and internationally, earning accolades such as the 2017 Architecture & Urban Design Biennale in Seoul, the 2018 DBS Social Enterprise Awards, and the 2019 MIT Solve Circular Economy Challenge. In 2018, Adi was also selected as an Australia Awards Scholar for a short-term program in International Business Readiness at Queensland University of Technology.

Sustainability is not just a concept but a driving force behind Adi Reza Nugroho’s decision to establish MYCL (Mycotech). What began as a modest venture selling mushrooms, which struggled to compete in the market, evolved into an innovative business through research and development. Adi and his team identified an opportunity to address material-related challenges in Indonesia and introduced mushrooms as an alternative sustainable material, transforming this idea into a globally impactful business.

MYCL integrates sustainability principles into its product development through a social entrepreneurship approach. By prioritizing solutions that create environmental and social impacts, MYCL has become a pioneer in sustainable materials. Using frameworks like the theory of change, the company ensures that every innovation is transparently measured for its impact.

However, the journey toward sustainability is not without its hurdles. Major challenges include limited access to funding, a lack of innovation culture in Indonesia, and the absence of supportive government regulations, such as policies for climate change and renewable energy transitions. Impact-driven businesses like MYCL are often seen as high-risk investments. Despite these obstacles, Adi remains optimistic, believing that countries committed to reducing carbon emissions will lead the global market, creating immense opportunities in the sustainable materials sector.

To navigate market pressures and regulatory challenges, MYCL consistently measures its operational sustainability through annual frameworks. Additionally, Adi focuses on building a company culture grounded in transparency and innovation. By engaging the team in creative processes and embedding sustainability at every level, MYCL continues to thrive.

For ITB’s students who aspire to start a sustainability-focused business, Adi offers valuable advice. He encourages leveraging the unique privileges available, such as access to advanced technology and extensive networks. Collaborating with lecturers, participating in global sustainability competitions, and taking advantage of interdisciplinary curriculums are crucial steps to building a robust ecosystem of innovation.

MYCL stands as a testament to how a simple idea can evolve into a global solution. Through the synergy of innovation, research, and sustainability, MYCL demonstrates that impactful businesses are not only achievable but also capable of inspiring significant change worldwide.

“AN ENTREPRENEUR WOMAN FROM BACHELOR OF MEDICINE”

A moment after Ms. Sheilla’s graduation from Bachelor of Medicine and becoming a doctor, she realized that it does not align with her values as she prefers to have situations of win-win. Since then, she starts to focus and let EASCorp be her main job.

Ms. Sheilla Khonada is one of the four-pairs of founders of EASCorp Company, a part of a rapidly-growing agency focused in medical care & financial strategies. By combining medical, law, hospitality, and industrial engineering fields, Sheilla with 3 pairs of her colleagues managed to become the Co-founder of EASCorp since 2019.

How did Ms. Sheilla start? – After decades of journey, Sheilla has some main keys to hold on to for those who would like to start being a businessman or businesswoman.

a. Patience & consistency. An apple tree does not grow apples within a day, but by consistently showering with water and care, it will grow good quality apples in a certain time.

b. Have a ‘thick’ ear. Having a ‘thick’ ear means that not all conversations and opinions should be listened to and accepted during initiating a business. There will be a lot of criticism and comments of “you won’t succeed” throughout the journey, so close your ears and keep doing what is positive and right.

c. Keen on learning. Never stop and never be tired of learning. As age keeps adding, do not be close-minded to someone who is younger. Be open-minded to everyone, including younger or older people, because it is important to know something new and combine the knowledge in creating awesome results.

As for recruiting Ms. Sheilla’s partner, she has her own recruitment method for business partners. After screening CVs, she invites the candidates for lunch/dinner and the screening begins from the searching for a place to eat until the end of the session. Based on Sheilla’s experience, every characteristic of the person will be outspoken and exposed well by just having a meal together, nor is it from asking questions, such as tell me more about your life, what is their current vision & mission, how do they handle situations, etc, or how they act during the lunch/dinner.

Some things Ms. Sheilla wished she knew earlier in her career was ‘stop being a people pleaser’ because it won’t please any of them at all. Too much pleasing people won’t create significant results and income for the company. Being nice is a must, but a good push is more important. It will help the company grow and the worker herself grow.

The advice Ms. Sheilla gave for those who dream to be a founder was that ‘you should believe in your vision more than people believe in you’ because business people are the ones who have to convince customers, investors, and workers in order to survive. ‘People will buy you first than your product’ so the business woman/man himself should be presentable and be the best version of themselves everyday in order to gain trust and relation with partners and investors.

Naufal Riyandi is a graduate of Bachelor's degree in Physics from Unpad and pursued his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at ITB. He is a founder at PT Bintang Terbarukan Indonesia (BTI) and also serves as the PhD Student Researcher at Trinity College Dublin. In this article, we will take a look at the process of establishing a company or startup in the renewable energy sector and how Naufal manages his time.

Alongside his master’s degree, Naufal participated in the pitching competition at SBM ITB but failed to proceed to the next stage. Not long after that failure, Naufal and his friend met the other founders that already competed in the other pitching competition and got several funds from New Energy Nexus Indonesia. Then, they founded PT BTI, an engineering, procurement, and Construction (EPC) company for renewable energy projects focusing on solar PV. But, nowadays, BTI is exploring another renewable energy sources and trying to handle consultation projects. The establishment of this company is based on their idealism to bring about change in Indonesia because, according to him, the potential for renewable energy in Indonesia is huge but underutilized. Some things to consider in establishing this besides the company model are vision-mission and funding. According to Naufal, alignment of vision-mission among the founders is crucial as it will determine the direction of the company in the future. In addition, funding is also necessary for establishing legal entities (PT), operational capital, and so on. In his daily life as a founder, Naufal no longer deals much with technical matters but rather monitors progress and helps in making decisions in his company. That's one reason why Naufal also serves as PhD Student Researcher in developing fish-friendly hydropower at Trinity College Dublin, besides strengthening his knowledge, experiences, and economic needs.

According to Naufal, the skills needed to become a founder include domain knowledge of the company being built, soft skills, managerial skills, leadership, and finance. Preparations that can be made from the student phase include gaining experience in academics, organizations, internships, and competitions. In addition, certifications such as water turbine certification, rooftop solar PV installation, energy audits, etc., are also needed for solar PV and hydropower, and other energy sectors. Some of these certifications can be prepared during college to suit the desired needs.

As a founder, Naufal's view on recruitment in his company is that he looks more at the applicant’s experience and willingness to learn. GPA is generally used for a standard threshold in screening the applicants. Especially for higher positions, experience is prioritized. At BTI itself, the principle is to grow together with the staff, participating with each other. In essence, everyone can build a company or startup, even from the student phase, but there are certainly various long and complex processes as explained above.

Robi Ginting graduated from the Law Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2018, where he took courses relevant to environmental law and business. He began his career as a research assistant at Pusat Studi Energi UGM, where he contributed to strategic energy projects such as gas network and distribution policy, oil and gas legislation, and renewable governance policy. Additionally, he co-authored a book titled "Pengantar Hukum Energi," providing fundamental descriptions of energy law and governance in Indonesia.

After spending nearly two years as a legal officer at an oil, gas, and coal company, Robi recognized a lack of support for his career development in the environmental sector. Consequently, he transitioned to a non-profit organization focused on renewable energy and sustainability. Since June 2020, he has been volunteering at CarbonEthics to deepen his understanding of climate change and carbon projects. Additionally, he serves as an Energy Policy Analyst at USAID Sinar, a US-based nonprofit that assists companies in developing countries with renewable energy implementation. He is also a legal and carbon policy specialist in WRI Indonesia’s Energy and Sustainable Business team.

According to Robi, several strategies have helped him fine-tune his skill set to work in renewable and sustainable fields. First, understanding the type of work that suits him best. As he enjoys advising and policy analysis, he tends to avoid working in private companies. Thus, finding true passion becomes an underlying effort in the job transition process. Second, getting “FOMO” to renewable and climate issues. Even if someone has little experience in sustainability or has just graduated, Robi believes that such individuals can potentially excel in the recruitment process if they are accustomed to hearing colloquial terms in sustainability or are aware of ongoing issues. Joining climate or renewable communities, networking, and following sustainability leaders on LinkedIn will help to familiarize oneself with the renewable discourse. Third, build your selling point. If you come from a social and policy background, this is the perfect time to enhance your skills. Indonesia is transitioning to green energy and greening the financial and regulatory system are required to make it happen. In his case, Robi understands that a combination of legal expertise and knowledge of the renewable market is a valuable asset that put his on the spotlights of decarbonization errands.

As an Energy Policy Analyst, Robi primarily focuses on qualitative aspects due to his legal background. His responsibilities include managing policies related to renewable energy or energy transition, conducting policy analysis to ensure implementable policies, and policy modeling, such as designing policies for coal processing from grid to post-coal depletion. He emphasized that skill is more important than grade. While a high GPA may be beneficial, Robi believes that possessing a sufficient skill set to solve existing problems is more important than GPA alone. Companies and organizations tend to prioritize individuals with knowledge, experience, and interest in the required field. Interest is crucial as it drives individuals to explore further in their area of expertise. Additionally, English proficiency is a requirement, and the recruitment process at USAID Sinar involves CV screening, interviews, and tests assessing case and modeling abilities. Critical thinking and knowledge of the field play significant roles in determining one's success in the recruitment process.

Robi Ginting advocates for working in alignment with one's passion as it fosters personal growth, with financial rewards following suit. He encourages individuals not to hesitate to switch paths as long as they possess soft skills, hard skills, and a good reputation, as professionalism underpins success in the working world regardless of academic background.

Indira Pradnyaswari is a graduate of Environmental Engineering from ITS. Currently, she is working as an Associate Research Analyst at the ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT) Phase II, focusing on developing and advancing climate and renewable energy projects in the ASEAN sector. In this article, we will explore what research analysts at the ASEAN Centre for Energy do and what are the tips and tricks to be able to work in that position.

During her studies in Environmental Engineering, Indira became exposed to issues ranging from waste management to climate change and its global impacts. She was also part of the SRE ITS, which further exposed her to renewable energy-related issues, sparking her interest in climate change and energy issues. After completing her bachelor's degree, Indira began working in the field of climate change and eventually became a Research Analyst at the ASEAN Centre for Energy. Typically, research analysts in this field conduct research on energy and climate change-related projects and then they will disseminate the research findings to stakeholders from ASEAN Member States, aiming to align and provide input for the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), a series of policy documents aimed at promoting multilateral energy cooperation and integration to achieve the goals and accelerate ASEAN energy transition

In her daily work, besides conducting research and disseminating it, research analysts also need to ensure that the communication results are used as input in the policy planning process. Communication is generally done through direct discussion forums in the respective countries. Furthermore, the ASEAN Centre for Energy also collaborates with universities in ASEAN to produce papers related to climate and net-zero emissions through the establishment of ASEAN Researchers Network on Energy Climate Change. According to Indira, challenges in this job include the demand to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and the need for adaptive skills due to the fast-paced nature of work and dynamic work environment. Moreover, as the activities involve consulting with stakeholders and governments in ASEAN, being prepared for the current energy situation and policies is essential.

The recruitment process to become a Research Analyst at the ASEAN Centre for Energy starts from administrative selection (CV, IELTS, personal statement, etc.), written test to interview stages. Some tips provided from Indira include engaging in activities related to our interests or focus areas and participating in projects led by professors, especially in relevant fields. A proactive action is needed to participate in the research projects in order to improve our credibility as a student. Additionally, since research analysts write extensively, creating a portfolio of various written works since university is advisable. One feasible work for students to publish is writing opinion editorial blogs containing their opinions on certain issues. Regarding the activities that have been done but are not relevant, they can be used in the personal statement to show our willingness to learn new things. Proficiency in English is also required as communication with the stakeholder is generally conducted in English.

In conclusion, Research Analysts at the ASEAN Centre for Energy focus on accelerating the development of climate change and energy issues in the ASEAN sector through research activities and disseminating it to the stakeholders. Experience in writing, communicating and disseminating something related to the field of energy and climate change during college is highly recommended to be able to work in that position. Therefore, SRE ITB provides various relevant programs to prepare students for their careers, ranging from REview, a basic learning program to introduce renewable energy and its developments, to a career booklet that provides insights from various professionals.