A total of 159 graduates from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), took part in a professional development program titled “Dream of Becoming a Manager: Becoming Graduates Ready to Compete Globally.” The session featured Cicka Abna Firdaussy, Branch Manager of Brain Academy Ruangguru, who shared insights on leadership and career readiness in the midst of rapid technological and social changes.
In her motivational address, Cicka emphasized the importance of resilience for new graduates entering the workforce. “Whatever job you take, be the best at it. Don’t settle for being ordinary,” she said. She noted that the early stages of a career can be challenging. “Working in sales, for instance, requires mental endurance. Many people resign after just one month. You have to be willing to learn, gain experience, and constantly upgrade yourself.”
Cicka also underscored that becoming a manager is not exclusive to any academic background. “Anyone from any major can become a manager. What matters is leadership managing operations, academics, and sales. When performance indicators are not good, we must know how to guide the team, not just give orders,” she explained.
She highlighted the challenges faced by modern leaders, including technological disruption, global economic uncertainty, and the complexity of managing a multigenerational workforce. “Leaders today must be comfortable with ambiguity, capable of adapting quickly, and open to innovation,” she said.
Cicka also discussed the importance of having a “dream” as a compass for leadership. A dream, she noted, must be transformed into a clear vision, strategic mission, and actionable steps. “A leader without a dream cannot provide direction,” she stressed.
At the same event, Fadly Husain, Vice Dean I of FISIP UNNES, shared the faculty’s expectations for graduates to transition swiftly into their next career pathways. He outlined three primary routes for fresh graduates: entering the workforce, pursuing further studies, or becoming entrepreneurs. “If within 12 months alumni continue their studies, including through PPG programs, that is an investment in competence. Entrepreneurship is also a promising route,” he said.
Fadly emphasized that the faculty continues to conduct tracer studies to track alumni impact. “We ask for alumni cooperation in providing data when contacted. This is crucial for program development and understanding the contributions of our graduates,” he noted.
One of the outstanding graduates, Salwa Mutisa Putri, from the Social Science Education program with a GPA of 3.88, expressed her gratitude in her address. She stated that earning a degree is not the end of the journey. “This achievement is a foundation for contributing to the development of high-quality human resources. We realize we must be ready to compete locally and globally,” she said. She added that FISIP UNNES alumni carry the responsibility to help build an excellent and visionary society.
The professional development session served as the concluding program for the 159 FISIP graduates participating in the 135th UNNES graduation ceremony, equipping them with adaptive, people-centered, and future-ready leadership skills.
