Completing a master’s degree in such a short time at a young age is a remarkable achievement. Maria Areta Lupitasari became the fastest graduate of the Master of Management (MM) Program at FEB UGM, who was conferred her degree on Wednesday (07/23/2025). She completed the master’s program in only 1 year, 4 months, and 9 days with an almost perfect GPA of 3.98.
Born in Klaten, Maria officially earned her master’s degree at 25. Previously, she pursued her undergraduate studies in Accounting at FEB UGM and graduated in 2022 with cum laude honors. Without waiting long, she immediately prepared herself for the entrance selection of the Master of Management Program with a concentration in Human Resources. She began her studies in February 2024 without having to take matriculation classes, as she had already fulfilled the requirements.
For Maria, education is essential in shaping character and building the future. This value has been deeply ingrained in her since the beginning and has become a guiding principle throughout her academic journey. With her background in accounting, she realized that modern business challenges are becoming increasingly complex, which motivated her to deepen her knowledge of management to understand better strategic decision-making, leadership, and human resource management. For her, studying at MM FEB UGM was not merely a continuation of education, but also a journey of self-development to grow into an adaptive and visionary leader.
Before pursuing her master’s degree at MM FEB UGM, Maria had already gained professional experience. She had previously taken part in internships at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Indonesia as an auditor and at the Financial Services Authority (OJK). These experiences broadened her perspective and further strengthened her decision to choose this program. Moreover, the collaborative and diverse learning environment at MM FEB UGM, with students from various industry backgrounds, was also a significant attraction.
During her studies, Maria admitted that her most significant challenge was maintaining strong academic performance amid the rigorous curriculum. To overcome this, she established a balanced study rhythm, actively participated in discussions, and joined communities such as the HR Club and Finance Club to broaden her practical insights.
Consistency was the key to her academic success. Throughout her studies, she tried understanding the material before working on assignments so that tasks would not pile up before exams. She was also active in classroom discussions and balanced studying and resting. This method allowed Maria to enjoy the learning process while sustaining her best academic performance.
In her thesis, Maria researched the factors influencing Gen Z’s intention to apply for jobs in local government institutions. She chose this topic because she recognized that Gen Z is a productive generation seeking active opportunities. From her research, she formulated strategic recommendations for local governments to design recruitment policies that are more relevant and appealing to younger generations.
Beyond her consistency and discipline, Maria acknowledged that support from her family and friends also played a vital role in her academic journey. Her family served as her primary source of encouragement and confidence, while her friends became valuable learning partners through discussions, sharing experiences, and motivating each other throughout the process.
Looking ahead, Maria aspires to become a lecturer. For her, teaching is the best way to contribute and pass on knowledge. She also advised other students to remain consistent in learning and pursuing their goals.
“Consistency is easier to build when we truly enjoy every step of the learning process. When we enjoy the process, consistency will come naturally, because learning is not an obligation, but a necessity,” she said.
Report by: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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