“The emphasis in group projects, extracurricular activities, as well as independent studies helped me learn so many essential soft skills.”
WILLY ANDERSON DINATA
GRADUATED: 2008
1. How long were you in Sekolah Ciputra? Starting from what grade until what grade?
I entered Sekolah Ciputra in grade 4 of elementary school and stayed until I graduated from high school in 2008 (9 years).
2. After graduating from Sekolah Ciputra, where do you study? What is your major?
Bachelor of Engineering from University of California, Berkeley (USA) majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
3. What did you do after graduating from university?
After I graduated from Berkeley, I worked for a year in this multinational company called Flextronics. They are one of the manufacturing companies used by big names in Consumer Electronics Company like Apple, HP, Dell as well as Automotive and Space Industries namely Tesla and Space-X. I worked as an Estimating Engineering; I calculated manufacturing costs based on the materials, prints, and processes.
4. What is your current occupation?
Today, I’m working as Head of Operation and Accounting for PT. Tunas Karya Mandiri Abadi, a family company working in the heavy equipment sector. We specialize in providing Generator Sets (Genset) as well as Forklifts for companies ranging from logistics, shipping, to construction.
5. In what way did Sekolah Ciputra contribute to your job right now?
Not just in my current job, I believe Sekolah Ciputra has helped me a lot since my college days. I think Sekolah Ciputra has given me the tools to work independently and systematically, as well as the confidence to just speak up. Having ideas and following through with it is one thing, but being able to present the ideas, making tough decisions face to face are very important as well, and I believe my time in Sekolah Ciputra has helped me a lot.
6. What was the best thing about Sekolah Ciputra? Tell us something memorable from your time at Sekolah Ciputra
During my senior year in High School, me and my friends always competed to be the first one to arrive at the canteen during the 10 o’clock break. We have what we called PSK, “Pasukan Sergap Kantin”. We would pack our books quickly and right at the sound of the bell we would just run to the canteen (I know we shouldn’t run in the hallway). So walking through the canteen today, I’m glad that the place has not changed much.
7. What makes you choose Sekolah Ciputra for your child(ren)?
I chose Sekolah Ciputra for my children because being an IB school, Sekolah Ciputra emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and intercultural understanding among other academic achievements. Not that being academic is not important, but at this early stage of their education, shaping their confidence, critical thinking, and other soft skills is more beneficial for their academic progress.
8. What advice would you give to a graduating student?
I implore people, especially those who just graduated from high school to just take majors they are interested in. Don’t just take Business, Accounting, Finance just because it is a safe option. Your interests can be unconventional to the standard of your family, but as Steve Jobs once said you can only connect the dots backward. Take my experience, for example. Mechanical Engineering is vast, we have robotics, energy, manufacturing, etc. It was not my intention to work in manufacturing, hence I did not take a lot of manufacturing courses during my time in Berkeley. But, during my last semester, I didn’t have many classes, so I take this elective course in Manufacturing, just because I don’t want to waste time, and that brought me to my very first job in Flextronics. So, just do what you feel like doing in the first place, because you’ll never know what the future holds.
9. Would you recommend Sekolah Ciputra to others? If yes, what would you say about it?
Yes, definitely. Confidence in conversing and presenting anything especially in English is a serious advantage to anyone and Sekolah Ciputra has given me a lot of opportunities to help me build that confidence. Also, the emphasis in group projects, extracurricular activities, as well as independent studies helped me learn so many essential soft skills required in the modern world.
10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love playing soccer with friends. Funny enough, more than 50% of the friends I play with in soccer are Sekolah Ciputra alumni; a lot of them are my high school friends, but some of them are alumni who are 8-10 years younger than me.
11. Anything else you would like to share?
I have what I call no regret policy. Have no regret in life, better take your chance and said “Oh well, I tried” rather than wondering what would happen. The worst part is looking back after 20-30 years and wish you took those chances.
