Who says career and age can stand in the way of further education? At 47, Sylvia Grace Yuvenna earned her master’s degree from the Master of Management Program at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM). She graduated as the 2nd Best Graduate with a remarkable GPA of 3.97 in just 22 month. On Wednesday (23/1), she was among the thousands of postgraduate students who graduated at Grha Sabha Pramana (GSP).
This Master’s degree is not her first. Previously, Sylvia completed her Master’s degree in Technical Informatics at TU Delft, the Netherlands, in 2002. After graduating from TU Delft, she started her career in sales and marketing at PT Pertamina (Persero). In 2020, she was appointed Executive General Manager for Central Java. After PT Pertamina Patra Niaga was restructured in 2021, she took on the role of Vice President of Digital & Customer Solutions, where she currently serves.
A Successful Career Alone Is Not Enough
Despite a distinguished career as a senior executive, Sylvia needed to deepen her strategic perspective on managing businesses, providing direction, and leading teams. While she had gained extensive experience through her work and various training programs, she was more interested in exploring these aspects in the academic world.
She also wanted to expand her network and exchange ideas with fellow students. This motivation led her to pursue a Master’s in Strategic Management at the Master of Management Program, FEB UGM Jakarta, in 2022.
Balancing Career, Family, and Studies
Aside from excelling in her career, Sylvia is also a wife and mother of two. Managing time between her personal life, work, and studies has been challenging. However, she explained that the gradual intensity of her studies initially helped her adjust to her new schedule. In addition, having a solid and supportive team at work helped ease her.
Dedication and a strong support system were key factors in managing her responsibilities. She dedicated her Fridays and Saturdays to classes, completing assignments and discussions on Sundays or at night on weekdays.
“I am also grateful to Allah SWT for always guiding me through my responsibilities. Although there were sacrifices, such as less time with my family on Sundays or occasionally delegating tasks at work, everything went smoothly, alhamdulillah,” she shared.
A Different Experience from Her Previous Studies
With more work experience than during her first master’s program, Sylvia found that many theories were now directly related to real cases in her job. Courses such as Corporate Strategy, Strategic Management, Industry and Competitive Analysis, and Business Ethics gave her a deeper understanding of business operations and ethics.
In her third semester, she had a unique experience. In early 2024, she and her husband received unexpected news about an accelerated departure for the Hajj. She was initially concerned that the pilgrimage would interfere with her final exams and graduation. However, after consulting with her academic department, she could proceed with the pilgrimage without compromising her studies.
“In the end, I could do both – perform the Hajj and take my final exams a week after my return. The pilgrimage also became an opportunity for me to pray for the smooth completion of my studies,” she said.
Learning is a Lifelong Journey
Despite her busy career and family life, Sylvia graduated with an excellent GPA and attributes her success to the unwavering support of her family, especially her husband and children. She also appreciates the understanding and cooperation of her colleagues, who at times covered for her, and the support of her classmates and academic advisors, especially Prof. Willy Abdillah, who guided her through the program.
Looking ahead, after completing her Master of Management at FEB UGM, Sylvia feels more prepared to take on corporate challenges and mentor future leaders. She also plans to focus on her children’s education, hoping they will contribute to the nation’s progress.
She encourages anyone considering returning to school first to determine their purpose – whether it is for career advancement, personal development, or future aspirations. For her, learning is a lifelong journey. It happens not only in formal educational institutions but also through work experience and self-education.
“The most important thing is to understand what we want to achieve through learning, what results we expect, and how we can use our knowledge not only for personal growth but also for the benefit of society. Education is just the beginning, a gateway to improving our skills so that we can contribute more,” she concluded.
Reportase: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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