Kuliah di Teknik Geologi UGM

Summary

Rafael Dewantoro, a geology graduate from Universitas Gadjah Mada, shares his experiences from academic challenges to his career at PT PLN. He discusses the difficulties of adjusting to university life, mastering technical subjects, and the challenges faced when entering the workforce. Rafael highlights the various career paths in geology and reflects on the importance of resilience and professional networking. Drawing inspiration from his uncle in the oil industry, he encourages students to focus on their specialization early and stay adaptable in their careers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rafael Dewantoro studied Geology at Gadjah Mada University and now works at PT PLN.
• 😀 Some of Rafael's classmates work in geology-related fields such as mining (coal, nickel, gold) and exploration.
• 😀 Despite being in a geology program, Rafael ended up working in a different field at PT PLN, and some classmates work in banks or government institutions.
• 😀 Rafael mentions that his peers have diverse career paths, with some even in biotech or disaster survey-related fields.
• 😀 The alumni network is strong, but Rafael personally does not have close connections with most of his classmates.
• 😀 Rafael reflects on the tough job market after graduation, especially when oil prices dropped significantly.
• 😀 The first two years of university were challenging for Rafael, with adjustments to campus life and a demanding seniority culture.
• 😀 In later semesters, challenges included geological mapping, fieldwork, and preparing for KKN (community service programs).
• 😀 The study of mineralogy and the challenges of mineral identification and optical mineralogy were especially difficult.
• 😀 Rafael's final project was completed in a company, which gave him valuable real-world experience, and he learned to adapt to the office environment and company ethics.
• 😀 Rafael was inspired to study geology by his uncle, a geologist working in the oil industry, which motivated him to pursue a career in geology despite the diverse career options available in the field.

Q & A

What is Rafael's academic background?

Rafael studied Geological Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

What field did Rafael choose after graduation?

Rafael chose to work in the energy sector, specifically at PT PLN (State Electricity Company).

How does Rafael describe his classmates' career paths?

Rafael mentions that many of his classmates ended up working in fields related to their geology studies, such as exploration in mining industries like coal and nickel. Others worked in sectors like banking, government, and biotechnology.

What kind of work did Rafael do in his field of study?

Rafael was involved in various tasks like geological mapping, mineral resource exploration, and environmental survey work.

How does Rafael feel about his decision to work in the energy sector instead of online gaming?

Rafael does not regret his decision, even though he had considered working in online gaming. He mentions that the job market was limited when he graduated, and the oil prices were low, affecting job availability.

What were the most challenging aspects of Rafael's academic journey?

Rafael found the first year challenging due to the adjustment to university life, including seniority and the demanding nature of the coursework. Later years included difficulties in fieldwork, mapping, and completing a thesis while balancing practical experience with academic work.

What was the most difficult subject Rafael studied in his first few years?

In the first two years, Rafael found subjects like chemistry, physics, and mineral optics to be challenging.

What experience did Rafael have working on his thesis at a company?

Rafael describes his thesis as a valuable experience that gave him exposure to working in a company, learning about professional etiquette, and adjusting to office environments, which was a shift from his previous academic focus.

What inspired Rafael to pursue a career in geological engineering?

Rafael was inspired by his uncle, who worked as a geologist in an oil company. Observing his uncle's successful career motivated Rafael to pursue the same field.

What advice does Rafael offer to students pursuing a degree in geology?

Rafael advises students to determine their career focus early, whether in exploration, mining, geotechnical work, or other fields, and to network with professors, attend seminars, and build professional connections.