UNS – Ariyo Dharma Pala Irhamna, an alumnus from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, currently works as an economic researcher at The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF). In front of 400 students of FEB UNS who will join the internship program, Ariyo encouraged FEB UNS graduates to pursue a career as a researcher. Ariyo stated that economist or economic researcher has various activities, including formulating research program, managing journal, working paper, policy brief, media column, as well as speaking at the seminars, national media, and other activities. To fulfill this role, an economist is demanded to have economic intuition, critical thinking, writing skill, knowledge on economic data, quantitative and qualitative analysis, presentation skill, and strong and extensive network.
In addition to the knowledge accumulated from the classroom, students can learn how to develop their ability as a researcher from other activities. For example, through the internal and external organization, following the current issues by reading books, newspaper, or online media and hold active discussion with different parties; teachers, students, MSMEs actors, and other external parties.
“Students should write often, prepare a research proposal, research report, and article. They have to be familiar with sources of data, especially around the economy. This can be developed through reading, not just collecting available information but also how to put their argument into words,” the alumnus of Development Economics Program class of 2008 explained in Zoom Cloud Meetings, Monday (13/7/2020).
Ariyo added the soft skills that are important for the researcher, viz leadership, providing feedback Influencing skill, critical thinking, public speaking, and a wide and strong network. Even though researcher career mostly relies on individual ability, but in its implementation, it is increasingly better when they collaborate with other parties, for example, in preparing a program, implementing research ideas requires leadership and how to generate inputs and affects their institution.
Further, Ariyo stated that the soft skills he mentioned and many other skills that can support a career as a researcher can be developed from student’s activities during their study. Ariyo underlined that students need to take a role in student’s organization because it will bring benefit in entering the workplace. Ariyo admitted that he also feels the benefit of a student organization as a researcher in INDEF, an independent research institute whose main objective is researching the current issues, particularly economic policy.
During his study in FEB UNS, Ariyo actively participates in several student’s organizations, such as EP Students Association 2009-2010, founder and chief of Bengawan Study Club 2009-2012, and the founder of AIESEC UNS in 2012. Humas UNS
Reporter: Dwi Hastuti
