How important is it to find passion at work? SBM ITB and the MBA ITB Alumni Association invited the Deputy CEO Regional 1 (VP) of PT Bank BJB Tbk, Nazaro Aulany Priyadi, and the Founder of Big Stamp & Kaos Octopus, Adrian Ariatin, for the alumni sharing session, to find the answer by discussing passion in the context of a career from a professional and entrepreneurial point of view.

The event, also served as the inauguration of the MBA ITB alumni association’s chamber, began with an introduction from the Dean of SBM ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Utomo Sarjono Putro, M.Eng,  followed by remarks and reading the inauguration decree by the Chairman of IA ITB, Gembong Primadjaja. Utomo mentioned that SBM ITB has a program involving alumni, such as the Merdeka Learning program on the Merdeka campus (MBKM). In this event, the ITB MBA Alumni Association Chair for 2021-2025 Rangga Muslim, MBA also explained about his work program plan.

The first speaker from the sharing session, Nazaro Aulany Priyadi, explained three elements for career development based on passion: vision, specialization, and networking.

According to Nazaro, we must first determine where we will take our career direction. Then, build a reputation with specialization through certification, training, etc., to strengthen your branding and make your uniqueness memorable. These are part of a cycle that will occur in our career journey. We start as a generalist at the entry-level, then specialize, and eventually become a generalist when we enter a management position (C-level).

“At the entry-level, many people are confused about choosing a career and which field they want to specialize. Passion can be formed in various ways, and it can also be influenced. A career is something we should do first; then, we will get used to it, specialize in it, and become our passion. So, the most suitable way is to start first; later, you will find the fine-tune where it will form by itself,” says Nazaro.

The second speaker, Adrian Ariatin, shared his experience after graduating from the MBA. Adrian explained about the many things he got from the MBA ITB, such as the experience of being a mentor who introduced him to new perspectives, so that it spurred him to learn more.

The ITB MBA, according to Adrian, can not only make businesses more advanced but also build a mindset and provide networking opportunities that can last a lifetime. Regarding his passion in career, Adrian shared his opinion with Nazaro.

“In my opinion, go first, get hit first. I’m sure that nothing happens by chance. When someone enters an MBA, choosing an MBA instead of another major, their hearts have already moved in that direction. Later, the path will unveil but don’t just wait, look for it. If you have chosen your path and it doesn’t match, move on. Even if we ‘misselect’ or regret it, it will not go in vain. There will be a lesson that would be valuable in our lives,” explains Adrian.

Written by Student Reporter (Janitra Nur Aryani, Management 2023)