Semarang (04/24) – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro (FISIP Undip) has once again organized a preparatory event for prospective graduates through the FISIP NEXT 2026 program, themed “Navigating, Explore, Thrive: The Future-Proof Graduate – Management Training & Digital Entrepreneurship.” The event was held online on Friday, April 24, 2026. This event featured two inspiring alumni, Derwinto Sipayung, S.AB, a graduate of the Bachelor of Business Administration program, and Maura Izzati, S.Sos, a graduate of the Bachelor of International Relations program, who shared their experiences and insights on preparing to enter the workforce and building a career in the digital age.
In her opening remarks, S Rouli Manalu, S.Sos., MCommSt., PhD., Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, representing the Dean of FISIP Undip, emphasized the importance of comprehensive preparation for soon-to-be graduates in facing increasingly competitive job market dynamics. She highlighted that graduates are not only required to possess academic competence but also the ability to build an authentic and relevant professional profile, particularly through digital platforms. Furthermore, students are encouraged to utilize various career development facilities provided by the university, such as career fairs and tracer studies, while preparing themselves for job selection stages. “Take useful information, manage it well, and present it to the public or to our specific target audience,” she asserted.
During the material session, Derwinto Sipayung elaborated on the importance of student readiness in designing post-graduation career plans, specifically through management trainee programs as an accelerator toward strategic positions within companies. He explained that the selection process for such programs is highly competitive and requires meticulous strategies, ranging from job opportunity hunting, recruitment stage preparation, to strengthening personal branding through organizational experience, internships, and entrepreneurship. He also stressed the importance of consistency, psychometric test practice, and the ability to craft a personal narrative relevant to industry needs. According to him, success is determined not only by intelligence but also by discipline, as he stated, “Everyone is smart (…) but not everyone is diligent.”
Meanwhile, Maura Izzati highlighted the importance of building a career gradually through strengthening personal branding and leveraging digital media. She shared her journey of building a career from scratch, eventually thriving internationally as an interpreter, emcee, business owner, and digital creator. In her view, consistency, courage to step out of one’s comfort zone, and the ability to find the “common thread” in one’s life journey are key to building a professional identity. She also reminded participants of the importance of shifting from being mere consumers of social media to becoming creators who generate value and credibility. “A career is not something you find; it is something you build slowly,” she said.
Through this event, prospective graduates are expected to gain more thorough readiness in facing the professional world and developing their potential across various fields, whether through professional pathways or digital entrepreneurship.