Being accepted for an internship at a renowned company is certainly a dream for most students to gain experience in the working world. One of them is Arya Yudistira, a student of the Management study program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), who successfully secured internships at four companies simultaneously through the Certified Internship and Independent Study Program (MSIB) 2024 Campus Merdeka. The MSIB program, known for its rigorous selection process and comprehensive curriculum, offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their chosen field while studying. This unique program has been instrumental in Arya’s success.
It’s no small feat that this 2021 batch student managed to secure internships at four prestigious companies: PT. Huawei, Detik.com, PT. Huawei, Detik.com, PT. Astra International, and XL Axiata. Arya achieved this after applying for MSIB in several positions across various companies. His journey was challenging, as he initially faced rejections from other companies. However, he persevered, learning from each experience and improving his application strategy. “At that time, I applied for 22 positions at MSIB. I experienced rejection until finally being accepted at four companies, and I chose PT. Huawei,” he explained when contacted on Thursday (30/5) while still undergoing the certified internship program of Campus Merdeka. This year’s MSIB program runs from February 24 to June 30.
After considering various factors, Arya decided to accept the offer from PT. Huawei in Medan, North Sumatra. He stated that he chose PT. Huawei is a multinational and global company that is the largest in Indonesia’s ICT field. “I couldn’t believe it, and it was a mix of feelings because initially, I wasn’t sure such a large company would accept me. Besides, being placed in Sumatra made me hesitate to accept or reject the offer at that time,” he elaborated.
At PT. Huawei, Arya had the opportunity to serve as an Assistant Project Controller. In this role, he was responsible for controlling the implementation project of antenna dismantling and inbound return of materials to the Indosat warehouse for the entire Sumatra region. His tasks included coordinating with various teams, ensuring project timelines were met, and managing project documentation. “I work end-to-end, starting from pre-implementation, implementation, to closing,” he explained, highlighting the breadth of his responsibilities and the practical application of his studies.
Through this internship program, Arya successfully implemented theories learned during his lectures, especially in project management, from his Management Operation and Innovation courses. He felt his internship experience further complemented the project management knowledge he had gained during his studies.
Despite the complexities of working in a new environment, Arya found himself in a supportive atmosphere at PT. Huawei. Even as an intern, his seniors treated him with respect and equality. This inclusive work environment, coupled with the valuable experiences he gained, both in knowledge and soft skills, prepared him for his future career after graduation. “This is the first time I’ve been placed in the Sumatra region, working in Medan, and dealing directly with Sumatra partners with different characteristics and handling,” he said, reflecting on his enriching experience.
When asked how to succeed in MSIB, Arya shared tips, including mapping out company positions well. Then, prepare a CV and portfolio that align with the applied positions. Equally important is to maximize every opportunity during user interviews and stay updated through the applied companies’ group communication channels.
Reportage: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
IKU: 2,6
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