For many postgraduate students, graduation is not always accompanied by clarity regarding their career direction. After completing a master’s degree, it is not uncommon for graduates to feel uncertain or lack a clear picture of their next professional steps. The dilemma of choosing between becoming an academic, a practitioner, or even venturing into a different field altogether often becomes a unique challenge.
To address this need, the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, through the Psychology UGM Career Center, held a postgraduate graduation preparation session titled “Beyond Graduation: Careers, Skills, and Contributions of Psychology Postgraduates” on Monday (July 21). Held in Room B-104 of the Faculty of Psychology, the event was attended by 44 prospective master’s degree graduates and took place from 10:00 to 12:30 WIB.
The session featured two inspiring speakers from diverse backgrounds who shared their professional experiences and practical insights relevant for postgraduate students entering the workforce.
The first session was led by Dra. Reni Kusumowardhani, M.Psi., Psikolog., an Expert Staff member at the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT RI). She shared her extensive experience in applying psychology in practical fields, ranging from corporate settings to forensic and health sectors. In her presentation, Reni emphasized the importance of putting academic knowledge into real-world practice.
“Don’t just keep your degree tucked away. It should be utilized—your knowledge must be applied,” she said, stressing that psychology is not merely theoretical but a crucial tool for understanding and addressing social realities.
Reni also highlighted the vital role of psychology in the fields of law and forensics—domains she initially knew little about but eventually became her path of deep contribution. She explained how psychology holds a strategic position across various aspects of public life.
“I never stop learning because it turns out psychology is important for the legal field. Every criminal act is essentially the result of behavior,” she stated.
The second speaker, Maria Magdalintan Kalvari Puspita Maraji’s, S.Psi., M.A., is an HR and Finance practitioner at PT Haloka Group Indonesia and a career mentor at Talenesia. With her easy-going yet substantial approach, she discussed the challenges postgraduate students face when entering the job market, especially regarding expectations, self-confidence, and overqualification.
“Sometimes we’re not confused because we lack direction, but because there are just too many paths to choose from,” said Intan.
She encouraged participants to begin identifying their personal strengths and build a strong personal brand as preparation for entering the job market. “Having an M.Psi. or M.Kes. degree is valuable, but that doesn’t mean we can rely solely on it. We also need to ask ourselves, ‘What can I actually offer them?’” she added. She urged participants to shift their mindset from focusing on job titles to thinking in terms of contribution.
Held in an interactive and enthusiastic atmosphere, the session aimed not only to prepare participants for the professional world but also to provide a space for reflection on the strategic roles psychology graduates can play in society. Both speakers underscored the importance of having the courage to define one’s path and take concrete steps in alignment with personal potential and expertise.
Writer: Fadia Hayu Godwina
Editor: Erna Tri Nofiyana
Photo: Fadia Hayu Godwina