Antonius Widodo Mulyono, Director of PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) Tbk, provided insights and tips for building a successful career to 1,816 prospective graduates during the Graduation Rehearsal at UGM’s Grha Sabha Pramana on Tuesday (Oct. 22).
Mulyono shared his career journey after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s in Management from UGM. Hailing from Klaten, Central Java, he emphasized the importance of taking bold steps in career building, much like when he began working at BCA.
“You don’t always have to follow the crowd. Many of my peers in the 1980s applied to state-owned banks, but I chose to apply to BCA,” he explained.
Mulyono started his career at BCA in 1987, steadily rising from staff to Regional Office Head and Head of BCA’s Commercial & SME Business Division.
From 2014 to 2015, Mulyono transitioned to the insurance industry as Commissioner of BCA Insurance before serving as Director of Business at Bank DKI from 2015 to 2018.
He emphasized that having a growth mindset was essential for career maneuverability, helping him remain adaptive and resilient, especially during the 1998 economic crisis.
“Even though you may explore various roles in your career, as I did, it’s essential to maintain a healthy work-life balance,” he advised.
Despite being a member of the baby boomer generation, Mulyono emphasized the importance of continually learning and adapting to modern developments.
“I’m not embarrassed to ask questions to younger colleagues,” he shared with the graduates.
His dedication to learning and staying connected with new trends led to his appointment as Director of BCA in 2022.
Mulyono stressed that the key to career success lies in enhancing emotional intelligence, which allows individuals to be open to feedback.
He also shared several practical tips for post-graduation careers, emphasizing the importance of standing out by cultivating unique traits that set one apart.
Additionally, he recommended that graduates create a SMART action plan (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely) to ensure concrete goals.
Mulyono also highlighted the privilege of being part of the UGM Alumni Family (Kagama) network and encouraged graduates to build positive relationships rooted in UGM’s values.
He urged them to uphold integrity, ethics, and inclusivity, sharing examples from his work at BCA, such as cataract surgery programs, health initiatives, stunting prevention efforts, the establishment of clinics in Greater Jakarta, and educational outreach programs—all dedicated to his alma mater, UGM.
“Graduation doesn’t mark the end of learning but the beginning of lifelong learning,” he concluded.
Author: Bolivia
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: UGM Alumni Office