Sheeren Yolanda – Head of Talent Assessment

Fresh graduates have tremendous challenges due to the quickly evolving employment market, therefore it is disheartening to find that, in February 2022, 5.83 percent of Indonesia’s 208.54 million people were jobless, with an alarming 14% of them being college graduates. These statistics highlight the challenges and uncertainty that fresh graduates face when they enter the job market. 

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, I am motivated to transform the way career centers give counseling, motivating and equipping graduates to enter the job market with confidence. The stark reality depicted in these data highlights the need for change.

Understanding the Struggle Career Centers Faced

• At the Career Center Networking event, I learned about their challenges in placing graduates in higher-paying positions and the increasing demand for effective counseling and support in the transition to the workforce. 

I had the honor of meeting professionals from several career centers when I went to the Career Center Networking event. I learned personally throughout the session about the difficulties these centers have, particularly in addressing the rising need for their help in placing recent graduates in positions that pay more than the minimum wage. 

It soon became apparent that career centers now play a crucial part in university accreditation, increasing the demand to offer efficient counseling and assistance for students’ triumphant entry into the workforce. These conversations reaffirmed my commitment to creating new solutions to these difficulties and bridging the gap between University and employment by ensuring graduates have satisfying jobs.

Finding Graduates’ Interest Becomes Key

• Understanding fresh graduates’ interests is crucial for their long-term success and job satisfaction.

Understanding the interests of recent graduates is important for their professional development since it has a significant impact on long-term success, performance, and job satisfaction. The POPSkul Career Interest Assessment, based on Holland’s Codes theory, is a crucial tool in this process.

The Holland Code, commonly referred to as Holland’s RIASEC theory, is a well-known and credible theory in professional growth. It was created by psychologist John L. Holland and is commonly used in career counseling and assessment. This theory inspired the development of the POPSkul Career Interest Assessment.

Infusing students with an infectious feeling of joy as they set out on a transforming path of self-discovery is something we want to do by actively embracing and applying Holland’s theory to our assessment. They can actively explore their areas of expertise, gaining a profound understanding of their remarkable abilities and possible limits. Each step reveals more of their full potential, and they willingly embrace the limitless opportunities that lie ahead.

Amplifying Career Center Impact

• Career centers leverage the POPSkul Career Interest Assessment to boost students’ employability and help them secure higher-paying jobs by providing targeted coaching and bridging the gap between their interests and the labor market.

Participating in the Career Center Networking Event and interacting with professionals from other centers was an eye-opening experience. It guided me in understanding the problems that career centers encounter and identifying areas where we can make an impact. We now have the chance to assist students in obtaining better-paying employment, bridging the gap between their interests and the labor market, and exceeding Career Centers KPI through the POPSkul Career Interest Assessment. 

With the valuable data acquired from the assessment, career centers are now prepared to give focused career advice and excellent resources. This enables us to help students realize their full potential and achieve extraordinary achievement. 

Imagine the possibilities as we design specialized seminars and courses that match students’ career inclinations with rewarding employment opportunities. This promotes extraordinary performance and long-term success beyond KPIs. It guarantees student success, promotes University accreditation, and has an ongoing effect on students’ lives. 

POPSkul Career Interest Assessment is Here to Help

I am enthusiastic about the future of career centers as we leverage the groundbreaking potential of the POPSkul Career Interest Assessment. This assessment allows us to help students find better-paying employment by bridging the gap between their interests and existing jobs.

Together, let’s create a future where career centers are essential in assisting students in making educated decisions and realizing their full potential. We can enable students to thrive in their chosen professional choices by providing targeted programs, resources, and qualified support.

To assist students with navigating their careers and locating rewarding employment, University Career Centers can join the Career Interest Assessment waiting list or try our Interview Academy where students can train for interviews online, on demand.

Written by Sheeren Yolanda

About the Author
Sheeren Yolanda is the Head of Talent Assessment at Astronaut, with over 10 years of professional expertise in the field of psychometrics, assessment center methodologies, competency development, and the utilization of advanced assessment and recruitment technologies.