Tsaqif Muhammad Arkan, a graduate of the Undergraduate Informatics Program at FSM UNDIP, class of 2019, completed his studies in 2024 and is now pursuing a career as a civil servant candidate (CPNS) with the position of First Expert Analyst for State Civil Apparatus Human Resources at the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) in Jakarta. Tsaqif’s journey illustrates how perseverance, consistency, and a willingness to keep learning can lead someone to promising career opportunities.
During his time as an Informatics student at UNDIP, Tsaqif focused primarily on academic activities. Although he was not very active in student organizations, he continued to develop himself through his role as a teaching assistant in several courses. In addition, he also took part in machine learning training through an international collaborative program. These experiences played an important role in shaping his technical abilities and way of thinking throughout his studies.
Behind his journey, Tsaqif also went through a difficult period. He once lost focus and motivation, especially while completing his internship and undergraduate thesis. Family health issues that required his attention, combined with a lack of confidence in his own abilities, temporarily held him back. However, with the support of friends and guidance from his academic supervisors, he was able to recover and eventually complete his studies in less than five years.
After graduating, Tsaqif began exploring various career opportunities, including applying for the civil servant selection process. At first, he did not have a clear idea of which institution he wanted to join. Eventually, he decided to apply to BPKP. The long and highly competitive selection process became a challenge in itself, especially considering the large number of applicants compared to the limited number of available positions. The placement system, which spans various regions across Indonesia, also added to the challenge.
Amid various limitations and doubts, Tsaqif continued to do his best at every stage of the selection process. Family support and prayers became a source of strength throughout the journey. His efforts eventually paid off. He passed the selection process and was assigned to BPKP Headquarters in Jakarta. After completing the orientation period, he was officially appointed as a civil servant candidate in May 2025.
He currently serves as a First Expert Analyst for State Civil Apparatus Human Resources. Although his educational background is not in government studies, he continues to learn and adapt to his new working environment. “The knowledge I gained during my studies in Informatics at UNDIP, especially in problem-solving, logical thinking, and attention to detail, has been very helpful in facing the civil servant selection process, which requires strong analytical skills and consistency, as well as in my daily work,” said Tsaqif.
He also added that his experience as a teaching assistant helped strengthen his communication skills and his ability to understand concepts in a more structured way. In his current position, his technical skills in computing are also considered quite relevant in helping solve operational challenges and improve work efficiency.
During his university years, Tsaqif also built a number of experiences and achievements that enriched his journey. He had the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant in several Informatics courses, participated in machine learning training through the COIL Programme, and became a member of the team behind a scientific article published in IEEE entitled Efficient Computation of Mandelbrot Set Generation with Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA). One of his greatest achievements was successfully passing the civil servant selection process and being accepted into BPKP.
For Tsaqif, the journey he has gone through may seem simple, but it is still full of meaning. His experiences during university, personal challenges, and the long job selection process have made him realize even more deeply the importance of consistency and perseverance in achieving one’s goals.
To FSM UNDIP students, Tsaqif shared a message not to feel discouraged if they think they are just ordinary. “Not everyone needs to have an extraordinary journey in order to succeed. If you feel that you are just an ordinary person, that is perfectly fine. Stay focused on consistency, finish what you have started, and keep learning even if it is only little by little,” he said. He also reminded students that opportunities can come from unexpected places, just as he experienced when taking part in the civil servant selection process. For that reason, every small step taken during university should still be valued, because it can become valuable preparation for entering an increasingly competitive professional world.