Career Festival is one of the flagship programs organized by the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Airlangga (FPK UNAIR), under the Ministry of External Relations (Hublu). The event took place over two days at the Candradimuka Room, 9th Floor of the Shared Lecture Building, Campus C UNAIR. The first session was held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 12:15 PM to 3:30 PM, while the second session continued on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM. This year’s Career Festival adopted the theme “Blue Growth for a Greener Tomorrow” with the title “Adolescent Resilience Strategies in Facing Career Anxiety in the Marine and Fisheries Sector.”
The first day of the event featured an engaging talk show session with three invited speakers: Vito Reyner Adriananda, S.Pi., an alumnus and Director of PT Rejeki Bintang Samudra; Dr. Dewi Retno Suminar, M.Si., Psychologist, and Agus Tri Wahyudi, S.H. Each speaker presented different perspectives aligned with their expertise — from career journeys in the Blue Economy, psychological approaches to managing anxiety, to company expectations in the professional world. These discussions offered valuable insights for students preparing to enter the marine and fisheries industry, especially as global competition demands both competence and resilience.
Dr. Dewi Retno Suminar opened the session with a presentation on “Facing the Fog: Managing Career Anxiety through Psychology.” She explained that anxiety often arises from uncertainty about the future, emphasizing that the key to overcoming it lies in self-awareness. According to her, understanding oneself deeply allows individuals to manage emotions and pressures more effectively. She also highlighted the importance of cultivating stoicism and grit — traits that build emotional control and mental endurance. “To avoid being swept away by comparison, never measure yourself against others,” she advised. “Everyone is unique, and we should not waste our energy comparing our path to someone else’s.”
Meanwhile, Agus Tri Wahyudi, S.H., in his talk “What Companies Really Want: The Ideal Graduate Profile,” stressed that companies still value GPA as one of several important considerations in recruitment. Contrary to the common belief that academic scores matter less, he noted that employers seek candidates who combine strong organizational experience, relevant professional skills, and good academic achievement. “GPA still plays a vital role as a reflection of consistency and commitment,” he said, underlining that academic performance complements practical experience in shaping employability.
The final speaker, Vito Reyner Adriananda, S.Pi., shared his personal journey as an FPK UNAIR alumnus who now leads a marine-based company. In his session titled “Sailing Forward: Stories of Alumni Navigating the Blue Economy,” Vito encouraged students to make the most of their university years by seeking experiences, experimenting, and stepping out of their comfort zones. “There are countless opportunities available to students,” he said. “The key is to recognize and use them wisely.” He also emphasized the value of perseverance: “I would rather exhaust my energy trying and possibly failing than waste it overthinking without action.” His message inspired students to view failure as part of growth and to stay proactive in their career development journey.
The Career Festival 2025 not only provided motivation and practical insight but also reinforced FPK UNAIR’s commitment to preparing students for global career readiness in the marine and fisheries sector. Through discussions combining psychological resilience, industry expectations, and alumni experience, the event highlighted the faculty’s holistic approach to student empowerment. With themes rooted in Blue Growth, the program encouraged sustainable thinking and emotional strength — qualities essential for the next generation of professionals in the blue economy era.
