With a growing transformation of digitalization in Indonesia, everybody can enter the promising ICT sector. Having more people joining the digital workforce, it will bring positive impact to the national economy that benefits both industry and workers.
Only with a simple smartphone, Chris Andrian Yang, a 24-year old digital provider, started his career as a content creator. His interest to the ICT sector has grown since his senior high school year. “I started with a simple device as my smartphone and began to create various contents through social media,” he shared his journey during a live Instagram on 24 March to inspire Indonesian youth to enter the promising ICT sector.
One of the video contents created by Chris Andrian Yang From a simple device, Chris has grown his video contents using more sophisticated devices such as lighting, camera and editing equipment. “I also apply what I have learned from my art and design degree to make my video contents attractive with proper colour grading and compositions,” he said. As a result, his video contents have increased his popularity and yielded sponsorships.
In addition to the ICT skills needed as a content creator, Chris also reminded the young audiences of the importance of soft skills in building a career in the ICT related jobs. “We need to focus on our uniqueness and to develop our communication skills to convey our uniqueness into attractive contents for our audiences,” he shared some tips.
We need to focus on our uniqueness and to develop our communication skills to convey our uniqueness into attractive contents for our audiences."
Chris Andrian Yang, a 24-year old digital provider
“Working as part of a team, communication and analytical and logical thinking are the top soft skills required by industries. As shown by Chris, being a digital provider has strengthened his skills to communicate and work as part of a team,” said Hirania.
Working as part of a team, communication and analytical and logical thinking are the top soft skills required by industries. As shown by Chris, being a digital provider has strengthened his skills to communicate and work as part of a team."
Hirania Wiryasti, the ILO’s programme officer for digital skills and distance learning
She also highlighted the promising jobs offered by ICT sector to Indonesian youth. The social media related jobs are part of the today’s top five jobs (in order): IT support/help desk, IT system developer/programmer, web designer/programmer, content creator/social media officer/mobile app developer, and IT software engineer.
“These promising jobs also offer good salaries and there is no specific educational background required, with an exception of computer science for highly technical jobs. Anybody can build a career in ICT sector as long as they are eager to learn to improve their skills,” she added.
Both Chris and Hirania agreed the ICT sector were equally available for both men and women. Chris shared his study experience at Multimedia Nusantara University where there were more woman students in art and design major. However, Hirania admitted that some women still have self-doubt in deciding to enter the ICT sector.
“There are abundant job opportunities in the ICT sector for women. You just have to start and do it,” encourage Hirania. A similar message from Chris concluded the interactive discussion: “Just start.”
This event is a part of a knowledge-sharing series on skills demands and job opportunities in the ICT sector jointly funded by the Government of Japan (Japan-funded Skills Project) and Fast Retailing Co., Ltd (the unemployment protection or UNIQLO Project). These series invite inspirational young people to share their success story in building career in the digital era. With more people joining the digital workforce, it will bring positive impact to the national economy, open market opportunities for industry, and generate higher income for workers.
