What is the most useful thing in life after graduation?
“Initially, I did not expect that the way of thinking that I developed during my studies, especially the ability to think critically and systematically, would become one of the most valuable provisions in the world of work. When studying actuarial science, my focus was more on solving problems and assignments, without imagining that the analytical mindset that was constantly honed would actually help me adapt in a professional environment.
I experienced this when I did my internship at Bank Central Asia (BCA) in the Strategy and Service Operations Development Division, acting as a product owner. This experience sparked my interest in the product world, which eventually led me to a Product Management position at Prudential Syariah. Although the lecture material is not directly applied in my current workplace, the ability to analyze problems coherently, be detail-oriented, and make logic-based decisions is the main key in carrying out my current role.”
What are some of the things you learned from university that are useful in the workplace?
“During my studies, I had many opportunities to interact with a variety of various parties, both through academic and non-academic activities, as well as internship experiences. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to intern at the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and BCA. Although I was not directly involved in the insurance industry at that time, my internship experience during college really gave me an overview of the world of work and broadened my horizons about the financial industry ecosystem.
I realized that not everything learned in college is directly applied in the world of work. However, it is precisely from this process that I gained important provisions, ranging from a structured way of thinking, the ability to communicate effectively, to adaptation in a new environment. All these skills are formed during the study period, and become the main key in facing professional challenges after graduation.”
What was your most memorable non-academic experience during college?
“Having more than 700k followers on TikTok was a very impactful and life-changing experience for me. When I was in my second semester, I made a video about Actuarial Science. Unexpectedly, the video was viewed more than 2.1 million times.
Since then, I have been active on TikTok and Instagram. Even though I don’t talk about actuarial topics anymore, there are still comments or messages from people who are curious about this major. It shows how strong our digital footprint and the impact of the content we have created.
However, being a public figure-even within the scope of social media-isn’t always easy. There are expectations that are formed, whether we realize it or not. Because I often discuss Actuarial Science, many people think I must have graduated quickly or on time. In fact, I finished college in the 10th semester. Of course, not a few negative comments came. But behind it all, I found meaningful life lessons: about perseverance, self-confidence, and the importance of appreciating the process.
I am very grateful for everything that has happened in my life-sweet and challenging. Because for me, life is not just about finishing one thing and moving on to the next. It’s a journey of learning to survive, and slowly getting better”.
What is your message to help new students who want to start college?
“If I could go back to the early days of college, I would remind myself to take my study time more seriously, especially if I have clear goals from the start. Having goals is not enough, it must be accompanied by careful planning and concrete steps to achieve them. One of the things that I now realize is very important is language skills, especially English. In today’s working world, these skills have become the minimum standard, so it’s best to start honing them early.
In addition to the academic aspect, I will also encourage myself to actively build my own networking through internships, organizations, or activities outside the classroom. But what is equally important is to choose these activities wisely. Don’t just go along for the ride, but choose the ones that really support your personal development and are aligned with your long-term goals. Out-of-class experiences can be invaluable for the professional world, as long as they are undertaken with a clear sense of purpose and direction.”
What’s a quote that has stayed with you and encouraged you throughout your studies?
“A little different is better than a little better.”
“This quote from Pandji Pragiwaksono really made an impression on me, especially when I decided to take a thesis topic that had never been raised by my classmates, which was about sharia insurance. I was hesitant at first because the topic I chose felt different and challenging, but that’s where I learned that the courage to take an unusual path can bring deeper and more meaningful learning. For me, this quote teaches that being different is not a weakness, as long as it is done with good intentions and clear goals, differences can actually become strengths.”