The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through its Career Center, organized a Graduation Briefing for prospective undergraduate graduates of Period II Academic Year 2025/2026 on Monday (February 23), held online via Zoom Meeting. The event was attended by 59 undergraduate candidates, consisting of 52 regular program graduates and seven graduates from the International Undergraduate Program (IUP).
The briefing aimed to help students develop strategies for career preparation, provide insights into employment opportunities for psychology graduates, and introduce postgraduate study options. Carrying the theme “Exploring Career Pathways for Psychology Graduates,” the session featured an alumna speaker, Syarifah Hanim, S.Psi., CHCM., Coordinator of Human Resources, Legal Affairs, and Psychological Services at Sekolah Islam Al-Azhar Yogyakarta.
In her presentation, Syarifah Hanim emphasized the importance of a purpose-driven mindset as the foundation for building a career. “I want to be beneficial to the nation first,” she stated. She highlighted the broad relevance of psychology across various sectors of life, noting that “wherever there are people, psychology will always have a role.”
She explained that the transition from university to the professional world is a real phase that requires careful preparation. “The working world is the real world that you will face,” she remarked.
Regarding career opportunities, she noted that the education sector continues to have a sustained demand for psychology professionals. “Recruitment will continue,” she explained. Psychological services in schools are not limited to students but also include support for teachers and educational staff. She added that psychology graduates can begin their careers as psychologist assistants, contributing to assessments, observations, and service administration.
Beyond understanding career opportunities, students were encouraged to develop competencies aligned with professional demands. “Public speaking is very important… leadership must be developed during your college years… emotional intelligence is also one of the essential skills,” she emphasized.
She also reminded students about the importance of administrative readiness in job selection processes and encouraged them to document their academic and organizational experiences. “Initial administrative preparation influences candidate screening… write down all the projects you have worked on during your time as a student,” she advised.
Closing the session, Syarifah encouraged prospective graduates to reflect carefully on their career direction. “First, find what you truly enjoyed while studying psychology,” she said.
This activity forms part of the Faculty of Psychology UGM’s ongoing efforts to equip graduates with professional readiness and to ensure the continued relevance of psychological competencies in meeting societal needs.
Author: Erna Tri Nofiyana