Banda Aceh, September 8, 2026 – The Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Syiah Kuala University (USK) held a Media Career Catalyst Workshop themed “Build Your Skills, Showcase Your Potential, Be Career Ready” in the FMIPA USK Senate Room on Tuesday (September 8, 2026). The event, held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. WIB, drew 60 physics students andfeatured representatives from the Faculty of Engineering at Serambi Mekkah University and the Faculty of Engineering and Physics at UIN Ar-Raniry.
This workshop is part of the Department of Physics’ efforts to prepare students for the workforce by strengthening their skills, personal branding, resumes, LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, and interview skills. The event was opened by the Head of the Department of Physics, Dr. Saumi Syahreza, S.Si., M.Si., who encouraged students to view career preparation as a process that must be built starting from their college years.
The main presentation was delivered by T. Khairuman, S.Si., M.Si., and Dini Rizqi Dwi Kunti Siregar, M.Si., who discussed strategies for translating academic competencies into workplace requirements, building a personal brand, crafting a relevant resume, and optimizing LinkedIn and portfolios. Students were also guided to understand that various academic experiences can be developed into competencies that are valuable in the workplace.
The workshop also featured a sharing session with Dr. Zulkarnain, S.Si., M.Si., who discussed LinkedIn and LPDP interviewsand provided practical insights into the importance of building a professional track record and preparing for job selection processes and further education.
Participants not only received instructional materials but also engaged in mock interviews, independent resume writing, and portfolio development. During the mock interviews, participants learned how to introduce themselves, communicate their experiences and competencies, and connect them to their target positions, including through a 60-second “Tell Me About Yourself” exercise.
As a token of appreciation and to encourage participants to put their learning into practice, the Department of Physics offered rewards to participants who activated their LinkedIn profiles, created the best resumes and portfolios, and had the courage to participate in interview sessions.
Through this initiative, the Department of Physics emphasizes that readiness to enter the workforce is determined not only by a degree but also by skills, experience, personal branding, networking, and digital presence. These changes require students not only to possess competencies but also to be able to demonstrate and communicate them professionally.
The Career Catalyst platform is intended to serve as a space for physics students to recognize their potential, build a professional track record early on, and boost their confidence in facing the workforce and other career development opportunities. The key message of this initiative is that students do not need to become someone else to enter the workforce; rather, they need to learn how to translate their existing strengths into value that the professional world can recognize.