Apa yang Sudah Didapat setelah 1 Tahun Wisuda?

Suddenly, my thought of the title above comes after a booming issue of Maudy Ayunda's dilemma. Yup, 10 March 2018 was my graduation day which became the ceremonial day of my official bachelor. So, one year passed and what I've got through this year?

Wisuda Sarjana 2018

It's hard question. I try to flashback and found that 'quarter life crisis' is true and happening to me. The stage of life where I feel dilemma to make decision between WORK or STUDY (anyway, according to me, married is not a choice because I believe that Allah will send the right person in the right time). Actually, in the beginning, I had make a plan to focus on pursuing study but in the middle of my journey, I was being confused and interest in working. Why? First, I found some scholarships require a relevant work experience (min. 2 years). Second, I couldn't stand by asking parents money anymore (although I have a online shop @childproject.id as well but I wanna have a job which is relevant with my degree), I wanna have my own wages and spend it by my own way. Third, I need more laboratory techniques skills and I was really miss working at laboratory, seeing the cells under microscope. To tackle this problems, I tried to break down my goals to the pieces of activities. 

Here, I would elaborate some activities that could fulfill your gap year then we would enjoy and do not feel under pressure of being unemployed as well as I would give illustration how I spent my times through it.

1. Workshop / Training / Internship

Some people argue that there is a mismatch of education and job skills in Indonesia. I could both agree and disagree. To overcome this challenges, I suggest that we could take a workshop or training that relevant with our future job. We could enrich our skills and abilities as well. Nowadays, the workshop or training is available and easily to find out, either we have to pay the program fee or no charge.

For example, I involved in Implementation and Interpretation of Halal Assurance System in February which held by IHATEC LPPOM MUI. I learnt a lot lessons that I could not find in bachelor degree, particularly about factories, supply chain, vendor, etc. I also met many employees and employers from different companies. It has program fee, yet its priceless instead. This month, I also have schedule to attend 'Pengenalan Sistem Manajemen Laboratorium Medik Sesuai SNI ISO 15189:2012' which held by Labmania. It has no program fee and it is quite interesting to get to know about ISO.

The point is we are highly possible to involve in training or workshop. We could do it in parallel with waiting the calling of HRD or scholarship. It would give us many merits for our future.

2. Attend Job / Education Fair

I went around the job fair or education fair for many times in Jakarta, Jogja, Surabaya, Semarang, Malang, etc. But until now, I still do not get the calling for job yet haha. Probably my CV is not quite valuable :D For job fair, although there is no progress, but I learnt how difficult as the job seeker. I also started to know some companies name wkwk and what they are looking for. Then, I could prepare more my self to apply the company later (although in my deep heart its not my future dream but I think that I should look for the chances in the emergency time).  Similar with job fair, through education fair, I was getting know the scholarship and universities around the world as well as the requirements that I should complete to be accepted both scholarship and university. 

3. Install Application

Let install job vacancy app and apply job via online. The benefit is we could only stay at home, scroll our mobile, filter the suitable one and then click to send our CV. Now, there are a lot of useful apps, such as JobStreet, LinkedIn, etc. Unexpectedly, It works! I got calling for interview twice. Perharps, it will work with you too, guys! Good luck!

4. Take Courses or Have Fun with Your Hobbies

Another option is taking courses to grow your skills, such as language, public speaking, culinary, design, etc. It will enrich our skills and relieve our stress. Some employers or scholarships also look for the candidates who are multi-talent. Language is one of the most pivotal things. Both working and studying need people who has abilities in foreign language due to the global era. You seems possible to learn all kinda things via online. There are a plenty website or channels will help you to deal with.

5. Expand Networking 

The last but strongly important is networking. When we experience all points I mentioned above, do not forget to expand our networking with new people. It will broaden our horizon, enhance our knowledge, and enlarge our relationship. Do not hesitate to say hello and make a friend, but we also should keep in contact with our friends, classmates, or roommates we had before.

my classmates of bachelors program 

my friends in Pare

Once more, we do not forget that we should believe to Allah who gives us 'rizqi'. To illustrate, I ever had a job as IELTS tutor in Pare. When my working contract ended, I have to back to my hometown for some reasons and did not extend the contract like as my other friends. In that conditions, I felt anxiety and didn't ready to be unemployed. Nevertheless, before I arrived at home, new project was offered to me and another opportunity was coming one by one, masyaAllah. 

In a nutshell, I would like to say to all fresh graduates that taking a gap year after graduation is not a problem and do not be shy if someone asks 'how's life?' to you. Do not underestimate your self when your friends have one more step forward than you (for instance, they have a settle job, they take master degree, or they have got married earlier) since every single person has their own pathway and It's OK to find your identity early before making decision of your life. Keep going, keep moving, and do not forget to smile :)