UNAIR NEWS – Nowadays, startup companies have become a popular trend among fresh graduates to start their careers. However, layoff storms at Indonesian startup companies are continuously happening. Responding to the issue, UNAIR Directorate of Career Development, Entrepreneurship Incubation, and Alumni Affairs (DPKKA) held Empowering You Through Startup webinar on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.
The webinar featured Ibnu F. Wibowo and Grace Amortia Erliana P. from PT Handyman Smart Teknologi as the speakers. Founded in Surabaya in 2019, Handyman helps users to control electronic devices. Though the startup company is still relatively new, it received pre-series A funding.
“The millennials are agile and love to try new things, including working at startup companies. Hopefully, participants may discuss and ask anything, and the event runs smoothly,” said Lina Nugraha Rani SE MSEI, Head of Career Development of DPKKA.
While regular companies tend to be strict and formal, Ibnu stated that startup companies are mostly flexible, accentuating creativity and innovation. Startups are not seniority-oriented, allowing everyone to share their ideas and feedback.
On the other hand, Grace stated that startup companies focus on creativity, resulting in new innovations. Communication is the key role, with effective work patterns and casual corporate culture. In Handyman, employees are required to be tech-savvy.
Multiple factors, such as economic uncertainty, the Russian invasion, and the impact of the pandemic caused the wave of layoffs in startup companies. Temporary and/or permanent layoff aims to improve work efficiency and meet the targets.
In psychology, the term layoff anxiety describes human needs theory when human brains are threatened if clothing, food, and shelter are disrupted. The wave of layoff may be received as a complete shock. Therefore, a working plan is necessary.
“Don’t let it bother you so much. It’s too bad that self-development is defeated with fear and anxiety,” said the UNAIR Psychology alumna.
Currently, Handyman is giving opportunities to join their company in Surabaya and Tangerang. The company offers good career paths and a lot of things to learn and explore.
“I’ve spent ten years working in non-startup and startup companies. I think starting a career in startup is a good idea, considering the flexibility it offers to develop yourself,” Ibnu said.
Author: Mutiara Rachmi Karenina
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
