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CAREER & EXPLORATION2026.09·6 min

From Campus Journalist to Product & Growth in Startups

Stepping out of the comfort zone during college: exploring diverse cross-disciplinary roles before finding my anchor in Product Management.

Cover From Campus Journalist to Product & Growth in Startups

During my studies in Informatics at Hasanuddin University, I held onto a simple guiding principle: as long as we are students, we can be whatever we want to be. This mindset gave me the freedom to step outside my comfort zone and explore a wide range of roles, ranging from campus journalist and graphic designer to UI/UX designer and web developer.

Diverse Roles, Diverse Perspectives

I didn't take on these various roles simply to accumulate technical skills, but to absorb different viewpoints from people outside the tech industry. Immersing myself directly across multiple fields gave me a deep understanding of how human dynamics and communication work in the real world.

The ability to manage human dynamics and lead with genuine empathy are critical skills that artificial intelligence simply cannot replicate.

Anchoring in Product Management

Amidst the massive advancements in AI, I realized that pure technical execution is no longer the primary differentiator. The true challenge today lies in how we engineer creative product value and successfully bring it to market. This is where the dynamic role of a Product & Growth Specialist becomes truly essential.

Toward Long-Term Ambitions

All these interdisciplinary explorations serve as stepping stones toward my ultimate dream: becoming an entrepreneur capable of building a sustainable business and creating meaningful livelihood opportunities for others. By continuously learning and adapting, I am shaping myself into a human-centric leader ready to drive real, lasting impact.