IPB University Holds Studium Generale, Preparing Graduates for Careers in Professional and Entrepreneurial Fields
The Directorate of Career Development, Entrepreneurship, and Alumni Relations of IPB University again held ‘Studium Generale x Career Preparation Training: Undergraduate Chapter’. The activity was held in a hybrid manner at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB Dramaga Campus, Thursday (24/10).
The event aimed to provide motivation and an overview of the world of work to prospective graduates, both as job seekers and as prospective entrepreneurs. In addition, this activity was also intended to provide awareness about careers and prepare the skills of graduates and fresh graduates in facing post-campus. The form of activities is in the form of talk shows, as well as group discussions with facilitators.
On this occasion, two alumni attended the Q&A talk show to share their experiences in the professional and entrepreneurial fields.
Yeri Afrizon, Vice President of Downstream Business of E-Fishery who is an alumnus of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology of IPB University, for example, shared his 30 years of experience working in a fast moving consumers good (FMCG) company, especially in the field of sales and marketing.
According to him, a career in an FMCG company will be very promising because it sells daily necessities products whose sales turnover is very fast. In FMCG companies, he said, salesmen become the frontliners of the company.
“The role of sales is very important because it is the bridge between producers and consumers, determining the product to reach consumers, either directly or through distributors or retailers,” he explained.
He added that salesmen must ensure product availability and visibility in the most convenient place for consumers. The salesman position also plays a role in various major trades.
“This division is the most important and the most source of company leaders,” he added.
“Everyone has the opportunity to succeed in this profession. The key to success in the FMCG sales profession is to be able to struggle in the field, be disciplined in execution, and have a good attitude,” Yeri concluded.
Meanwhile, Yuhelmi Fitri, one of the alumni of the Faculty of Agriculture of IPB University shared her experience of switching from a professional career to become an entrepreneur. She now owns several companies such as Hana Bakery, Hanasan, and The One’s Laundry.
She explained that job competition is getting tougher, so the solution to the scarcity of jobs is entrepreneurship.
“Why is entrepreneurship important? Because Indonesia needs a ratio of 12 to 13 percent of business people in order to become a developed country based on data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Micro Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM),” he said.
However, he said, to be successful in entrepreneurship, one must have entrepreneurial characteristics. For example, always thinking positively, being brave in making decisions, having a visionary personality, having self-confidence, and being result-oriented.
“Entrepreneurs must be able to think one step ahead to see opportunities or situations in the future, have high fighting power and have a strong desire to achieve maximum results from all efforts made,” he explained.
Entrepreneurs must also have creativity and innovation in order to be competitive, have managerial skills, and have a leadership spirit. “Growing an entrepreneurial spirit must first have determination, focus and commitment, and learn from successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
In addition, graduates also received exposure to the Alumni Tracer Study and IPB Connect as well as training in making CVs and cover letters to be better prepared to start a career in the world of work. (MW/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
