In the BANI era (brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible), the world is filled with uncertainty and disruptive changes that could often trigger anxiety. The rapid advancement of technology, especially artificial intelligence, is predicted to replace several human jobs. This condition undoubtedly poses a unique challenge for students who will soon enter the workforce, making thorough career preparation essential to avoid being swept away by technological disruption.
To equip students with such knowledge, the Career and Student Development Unit (CSDU) FEB UGM held an event titled “Internship Insights: Learning, Growing, and Thriving” at the Alumni Corner Room, FEB UGM, on Thursday (08/21). In this event, Sigit Bayu Cahyanto, an LPDP Scholarship Awardee UGM 2025 as well as UGM’s Outstanding Student of the Diploma Program 2023, shared his experiences and tips on navigating internship and job selections in today’s disruptive era.
Sigit emphasized that in an era of rapid change and disruption, academic achievements such as Grade Point Average (GPA) alone are no longer sufficient, as many candidates hold similar accomplishments. Therefore, to remain competitive, students must first understand themselves, then recognize what can be developed and maximized during their time in college.
He also highlighted that students should not confine themselves to a single field but remain open to exploring others. This is because job requirements and skill demands shift yearly with the rapid technological developments. For instance, in the future, machines are predicted to replace jobs such as accountants, customer service representatives, data entry clerks, and cashiers.
Thus, to stay relevant, students need to foster a strong growth mindset that encourages them to try new things without easily becoming complacent. Moreover, perseverance and consistency are also key to enduring challenges. Additionally, curiosity opens doors to many learning opportunities, while luck comes when preparation meets the right opportunity. Yet, luck does not arrive independently, it still has to be pursued through effort and preparation.
“For example, we should not merely take advantage of opportunities in organizations or internships just to expand connections on LinkedIn. Instead, use these opportunities to build deeper relationships and create real impact for others,” he explained.
In the next session, Sigit elaborated on the recruitment stages in companies, ranging from administrative screening, psychological tests, interviews, competency or technical assessments, to medical check-ups. Each stage, he explained, requires its own approach, such as maintaining consistency in psychological tests, applying the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) during interviews, and, above all, not giving up easily.
Lastly, Sigit underlined the importance of building a strong personal brand on LinkedIn for students. This can be achieved by creating an engaging headline, using a professional profile photo, including detailed contact information, and confidently showcasing academic achievements or the latest activities. For those without many projects to highlight, coursework assignments can serve as a portfolio as well.
“College is the right time to shape the best version of ourselves. Therefore, education should not be seen merely as an obligation or a parental choice, but as an investment to enhance our own capacity. Because in the professional world, what sets us apart is no longer academic ranking, but the specific qualities that distinguish us from other candidates,” Sigit concluded.
Report by: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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