The Vocational College of Universitas Gadjah Mada (SV UGM) once again organized SV UGM Career Days 2026 on May 21-22, 2026, engaging a total of 2,880 visitors. Held biannually, the event featured 37 national and international companies and opened overseas employment opportunities through collaborations with JobStreet by SEEK and the Austrian Business Agency.
Carrying the theme “Langkah Awal Menuju Karier Gemilang” (Initial Steps Toward a Brilliant Career), the event served as a gathering for students, alumni, industry representatives, and government institutions to strengthen connections between higher education and workforce demands. In addition to the job fair, the event also featured walk-in interviews, career coaching sessions, and global career talk shows.
Chair of SV Career Days 2026, Dr. Agustinus Winarno, stated that the event reflects SV UGM’s efforts to build stronger synergy between academia and industry.
“Through this event, we aim to build stronger synergy between the education sector and industry. We seek to mobilize the potential within industries while positioning the campus as a bridge connecting students with the workforce,” he said.
Dr. Winarno explained that the availability of international job opportunities became one of the highlights of this year’s event. In addition to opportunities in Japan, participants also received information and access to professional employment opportunities in Austria for the first time.
Vice Dean for Research and Community Service at SV UGM, Dr. Wiryanta, stated that SV UGM graduates are highly competitive in the labor market, as reflected in the relatively short time it takes them to secure employment.
“Thankfully, the average waiting period for SV UGM graduates is currently only around three months. This indicates that our graduates are highly sought after and possess strong competitiveness,” he explained.
According to Dr. Wiryanta, SV Career Days is not merely a conventional job fair but a gathering between potential, opportunity, and hope. SV UGM presents young talents with national and global competencies, while industries open opportunities for collaboration and career development for younger generations.
“We believe progress can be achieved through synergy and collaboration, not by working independently,” he remarked.
Dr. Wiryanta also added that SV UGM continues to maintain intensive communication with industry partners to ensure that its curriculum and graduate competencies remain relevant to labor market needs.
International collaboration in SV Career Days 2026 was further strengthened through the presence of JobStreet by SEEK as a strategic partner. Head of Candidate Marketing at JobStreet by SEEK, Annisa Thabiina, noted that this partnership marked the company’s first collaboration with UGM.
“Through this partnership with UGM this year, we aim to help provide broader access for job seekers to obtain employment opportunities through a safe, reliable, and user-friendly platform,” she said.
Annisa explained that JobStreet by SEEK continues to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology to help job seekers find positions that best match their skills, experiences, and career aspirations.
JobStreet also offers career coaching services that help participants develop strategies for building CVs, building personal brands, and preparing for global workforce competition.
International career opportunities were also introduced through the Austrian Business Agency’s participation. Raphael Rey Bacolod, Director of Indonesia & the Philippines at the Austrian Business Agency, explained that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has already been established between the Indonesian and Austrian governments regarding the recruitment of Indonesian professionals.
“This means Indonesian professionals and skilled workers can relocate and work in Austria. The main requirement is obtaining a job offer from a company or employer in Austria,” he explained.
He added that the Austrian Business Agency would assist Indonesian workers with job searches, applications for residence and work permits, and relocation support for those successfully employed in Austria.
Support for the event also came from the DIY’s Regional Office of Manpower and Transmigration. Head of Industrial Relations and Labor Social Security at the office, R. Darmawan, viewed the career days’ event as a concrete step in connecting vocational education graduates with industry.
“This career days event is a concrete step toward connecting vocational school graduates with the workforce,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of labor social security protection for interns and young workers, including occupational accident and death insurance coverage.
The organization of SV UGM Career Days 2026 holds the hope that collaboration among universities, industries, government institutions, and international partners will continue to expand career opportunities for Indonesia’s younger generation, both nationally and globally.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Salwa