Working at a global communication agency represents a career journey successfully achieved by Muhammad Gustiasa, an alumnus of the Communication Science Study Program, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Diponegoro University, class of 2012. Currently, Gustiasa serves as the youngest Director at Edelman Indonesia in the Corporate and Public Affairs division, a strategic position within one of the largest and most influential communication consulting firms in the world. This achievement affirms the role of Undip Communication Science alumni in the landscape of the global communication industry.
Gustiasa’s journey to director level at Edelman did not happen overnight. He started with a high learning spirit, an open mind, and the courage to dive directly into the field. His professional career began as an intern, which he obtained as a result of participating in a Public Relations competition while still a student. In that competition, he crafted a PR proposal in just one night—an experience that shaped a fast, adaptive, and solution-oriented work ethic, highly needed in the communication consulting world.
Working at a global consultancy environment has made Gustiasa accustomed to dealing with complex, real-world cases, ranging from corporate issues and public interests to ever-changing stakeholder dynamics. According to him, working at a global communication agency requires an open mind, a continuous desire to learn, and the ability to understand context deeply. Every project is not just a task, but a learning space to hone sensitivity, strategy, and analytical sharpness in communication.
As a global communications consultant, Gustiasa holds three main principles that form the foundation of his professionalism. First, a growth mindset and curiosity to continuously learn and absorb new ideas. Second, a pursuit of excellence, showing up fully and mindfully in every project undertaken. Third, integrity and the right attitude, maintaining values and ethics amidst the fast-moving and competitive dynamics of the communication industry.
This strong foundation was built during Gustiasa’s studies at Communication Science, FISIP Undip. He recalls his college years as a phase that significantly shaped his work readiness, as students were not only equipped with theory but also trained through client-based projects, such as social change campaign courses and public relations campaign practices always grounded in research. This learning model is considered highly relevant to the needs of the global communication industry, particularly in project management and strategic decision-making.
Collaboration with lecturers was also an essential part of Gustiasa’s alumni story. During college, he was actively involved in research discussions with lecturers, from brainstorming ideas, data processing, to conceptual framework development. Lecturers served as learning partners, providing positive affirmation, support, and a space for constructive dialogue. This collaborative academic environment helped build confidence and critical thinking skills highly valuable in the professional world.
Gustiasa believes that every academic task, even seemingly simple ones, always holds valuable lessons. From these tasks, students learn about attitude, responsibility, time management, and how to manage workloads. The principle he continues to hold is “just start, there will always be a way,” reflecting the growth mindset he built since his college days.
For Communication Science students aspiring to a career at a global communication agency, Gustiasa advises them to keep asking questions, get to know themselves, and understand their personal strengths. He encourages students not to compare themselves with others, but to focus on their own career paths. The IKIGAI approach can serve as a guide to aligning interests, abilities, opportunities, and life goals to make the career journey more meaningful and sustainable.
He also emphasizes the importance of mastering competencies in a balanced manner, both hard skills and soft skills. Research abilities to understand client needs, project management skills to determine priorities, and the capacity to connect theory with practice are essential assets. On the other hand, creative thinking and street smart knowledge help Communication Science graduates adapt to dynamic field realities.
Furthermore, Gustiasa sees the great potential of the Communication Science FISIP Undip alumni network, which has spread across various sectors and industries. He encourages the updating of alumni data and the strengthening of segmentation-based alumni programs, such as the private sector, entrepreneurs, and consultants. This step is considered capable of opening more collaboration opportunities for students and strengthening the role of alumni as part of the learning and career development ecosystem at FISIP Undip.