Career Talk Series

By bringing together experienced professionals from diverse sectors—including technology, finance, public service, and private industries—the series offers practical insights that bridge the gap between academic preparation and real-world career demands. The program also features perspectives from human resources practitioners and career platform experts, equipping participants with actionable strategies to strengthen their professional positioning. Through interactive discussions and hands-on guidance, awardees gain clarity, confidence, and direction in shaping their career trajectories. To date, the MGA Career Talk Series has successfully hosted three sessions, each addressing a critical stage of professional development: - MGA Career Talk Series #1: Optimizing Your LinkedIn & Personal Branding - MGA Career Talk Series #2: Acing Interviews: Real Talk from Industry Professionals - MGA Career Talk Series #3: Thriving as an Indonesian Professional and Student in the United States Session 1 MGA Career Talk Series #1: Optimizing Your LinkedIn & Personal Branding Platform: Zoom Date & Time: Friday, 5 December 2025 | 9:00 AM ET Total Participants: 54 Recording: See the attahmnent section below. This session focused on building strong personal and professional branding as a foundation for career success. Participants gained insights into how recruiters evaluate candidates—from résumé screening to interviews—and how consistency in personal narratives can significantly improve hiring outcomes. Speakers: Tanti Mantily Dewi Corporate Coach & Talent Advisor, PT Paragon Technology Innovation; NLP Licensed Trainer Topic: Personal Branding that Wins Opportunities Tanti shared recruiter-driven strategies for crafting effective résumés, developing a compelling “signature story,” and maintaining consistent personal branding throughout multiple interview stages—from HR screenings to final interviews with senior leadership. She also introduced key methodologies used in professional talent evaluation. Emma Vites Patel Senior Account Director at LinkedIn; Founder of The Apprentice Project; Author of The Graduate Bible Topic: LinkedIn Personal and Professional Branding Emma delivered a step-by-step guide to building a strong LinkedIn presence, emphasizing the importance of intentional storytelling, profile optimization, and practical tips for increasing visibility and credibility on the platform. Moderator: Camilia Salsabilla, Columbia University Alumna Session 2 MGA Career Talk Series #2: Acing Interviews: Real Talk from Industry Professionals Platform: Zoom Date & Time: Friday, 12 December 2025 | 8:00 PM ET Total Participants: 52 Recording: See the attahmnent section below. This session took the form of a panel discussion, offering candid insights into interview processes from professionals currently working in top U.S.-based organizations. The discussion explored technical interviews, behavioral assessments, and real-life hiring experiences from the panelists’ perspectives. Panelists: - Mochamad Asri (Computer Architect at NVIDIA; Formerly at Meta) - Feryandi Nurdiantoro (Software Engineer at Meta) - Assyifa Szami Ilman (Research Analyst at an International Organization) The panel addressed common interview challenges, shared preparation strategies, and highlighted key mistakes candidates should avoid when interviewing in global companies. Moderator: Asri Wijayanti, VP of External and Strategic Partnership, MGA 2025/2026 Session 3 MGA Career Talk Series #3: Thriving as an Indonesian Professional and Student in the United States Platform: Zoom Date & Time: Friday, 19 December 2025 | 8:00 PM ET Total Participants: 115 Recording: See the attahmnent section below. The third session focused on the lived experiences of Indonesian professionals and students navigating academic and professional pathways in the United States. The discussion covered internship and full-time job searches, career transitions, and strategies for thriving in highly competitive environments. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, allowing participants to directly engage with the speakers. Panelists: - Andramica Priastyo (Director, Investment Solutions, Fidelity Investments) - Dani M. Trianto (MBA Candidate, Yale School of Management; Incoming Associate at McKinsey & Company) - Irene Alisjahbana (Machine Learning Engineer at Apple; Stanford PhD Graduate) - Irman Faiz (MPA/ID Candidate, Harvard Kennedy School; Former Intern at the World Bank and Asian Development Bank) Moderator: Patricia Rani (Graduate Student at Columbia University) The MGA Career Talk Series continues to serve as a platform for learning, connection, and professional growth for Indonesian scholarship awardees worldwide. By combining real-world expertise with interactive discussions, the series supports participants in transforming academic experiences into meaningful global careers. Stay tuned for upcoming sessions and follow Mata Garuda Amerika’s Instagram and LinkedIn for future announcements.