Jakarta, October 2, 2025 — Indonesia is a country blessed with a significant demographic bonus which, in an ideal scenario, should drive greater productivity and employment opportunities. However, the reality proves otherwise. Despite its large demographic advantage, many young generations, particularly Generation Z, are currently struggling to secure employment in the era of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0.

In response to these challenges, the Career and Alumni Development Bureau of Dian Nusantara University (BPKA UNDIRA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia (KEMNAKER RI), held a seminar titled “Career Seminar: Professional Readiness and Strategies to Enter the World of Work and Entrepreneurship from College in the Digital Era” on October 1, 2025.

The seminar, which took place on the 6th floor of UNDIRA’s Tanjung Duren Campus, was attended by 250 students from various study programs along with their accompanying lecturers, who enthusiastically welcomed the event.

Ir. Muhammad Hasanuddin Thoyieb, M.M., Vice Rector III for Public Relations, Cooperation, Student Affairs, and Marketing, addressed the audience by emphasizing that navigating the world of work is not solely determined by knowledge gained through education.

“Knowledge is not the final destination where success is attained. Rather, it is a lantern and a foundation for achieving the next level of success. When stepping into the world of work, it is not merely one’s GPA that determines the chances of passing recruitment selection. Recruiters will also assess how well students have shaped themselves throughout their university journey,” he remarked.

He further explained that education plays a significant role in providing access to opportunities such as internships and job offers. Through higher education, students also gain essential soft skills and build networks that will benefit them in the future.

Isnarti Hasan, S.E., M.Si., Director of Workforce Placement Development at KEMNAKER, then presented the current state of employment in Indonesia. She openly acknowledged that the country’s labor absorption is far from ideal, with approximately 7 million individuals still unemployed.

She elaborated that today’s job market faces a dilemma: job seekers often struggle to meet the required criteria, while recruiters encounter difficulties finding candidates who match their needs. According to her, this issue is not caused by the demographic bonus itself, but rather by a mismatch between the competencies of the available workforce and the qualifications demanded by employers.

Therefore, she stressed that both employment and entrepreneurship require a balanced approach to self-development. The seminar was expected to provide students with insights and preparation, both logically and psychologically, before entering the world of work.

Continuing the discussion, Dewi Eva Kiranti, S.Psi., M.Ak., a Young Expert Employment Facilitator at KEMNAKER, emphasized that Indonesia’s success in improving public welfare begins with investment in the proper development of Human Resources (HR).

She further explained that in order to optimize Indonesia’s workforce, KEMNAKER has introduced opportunities through a digital Marketplace designed to minimize mismatching in job placement. This is achieved through certification and competency training programs available on Skillhub and Sertihub. In addition, KEMNAKER provides job information services through Karirhub and Bizhub to enhance employment and entrepreneurship absorption.

Adding further insights, Novi Yani, S.Kom., Deputy GM of PT. Office and Security Solution, and Hadyan Dhiozandi, M.Psi., Educational Psychologist from the Indonesian Psychological Association Jakarta, shared psychological strategies for navigating both career paths and entrepreneurship.

They highlighted that in seeking employment, working, and entrepreneurship, individuals need a “compass” to guide their direction rather than merely a “roadmap” that forces them to conform to social standards or trends. Having a strong sense of belonging and confidence in one’s pursuits will ultimately help individuals achieve meaningful goals.

They also emphasized that an ideal career or entrepreneurial path is built gradually upon one’s strengths, rather than being forced by focusing solely on fixing weaknesses through rigid to-do lists. By doing so, every step in one’s professional journey will feel more natural and sustainable.

Through this seminar, UNDIRA’s Career and Alumni Bureau and KEMNAKER reaffirmed their full commitment to supporting the proper career pathways and placements for Indonesia’s young demographic. Ultimately, the world of work and entrepreneurship is not only about knowledge capacity, but also about one’s ability to adapt, uphold character, and most importantly, manage the right mindset in facing future challenges.