On Monday, August 5, 2019, the Biology Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga held an orientation event for prospective graduates. The purpose of this event was to provide guidance and advice to graduating students as they transition to the next phase of their academic journey. The orientation began at 9:00 AM in the Faculty of Science and Technology meeting room, with the opening by MC and moderator Bu Satiti. Following that, the Head of the Biology Study Program, Bu Erny Q. Aini, delivered a welcome address. The first presentation featured Bu Aggesty Ika Nurlita as the speaker, discussing job market preparation. She emphasized three essential aspects for job applications: creating an attractive Curriculum Vitae (CV), applying through reliable channels such as Job Fairs or LinkedIn, and preparing for interviews. Applicants should also keep track of the positions they’ve applied for and note which ones have reached the interview stage.

The subsequent session featured Bu Dian Aruni Kumalawati, M.Sc., who discussed preparation for pursuing master’s (S2) and doctoral (S3) studies. Financial constraints often deter students from continuing their education, but scholarships can help. There are various types of scholarships available, both domestically (such as LPDP, Tanoto Foundation, or PMDSU) and internationally (like Fulbright, AAS, or Inpex). Before applying for scholarships, students should consider their determination, choose a field of study aligned with their interests, identify target universities, prepare for language proficiency tests (TOEFL/IELTS and TPA), gather necessary documents and Letters of Acceptance (LoA), build confidence, and seek guidance through prayer.

The orientation was well-received, with enthusiastic participation from the graduating students during discussions about their post-graduation plans. It is hoped that such activities will continue, guiding all Biology graduates as they move forward in their academic journeys.