Here Is How Arrafi Gymnastiar Navigated His Career Journey

Pursuing a career surely does take a lot of effort. It is a long and difficult journey that you need to overcome. It is almost like being a tree that tries hard to grow into something bigger and greater, longing for the fresh touch of the rain and the warmth of the sun. It requires a long process. Growth does not happen instantly, and sometimes it requires patience, resilience, and the right environment to thrive.

In the same way, building a career also takes time, experience, and self-discovery. This is reflected in the journey of Arrafi Gymnastiar, an alumnus of the English Department of Politeknik Negeri Bandung, who is now working as an airport announcer as well as an information officer at InJourney Airports Branch Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia.

The first time he stepped into college, he knew that something new was about to begin. Getting into a vocational college was truly a journey filled with exciting experiences. That was the phase that shaped him into the person he is today. There were many practical activities, which made him realize how vocational education offers a more hands-on learning experience.

“My first impression of college was that everyone seemed so friendly and welcoming. It made me interested in joining student organizations to gain experience,” he said.

Arrafi was very active in student organization activities. He served as a member of Commission 2 (in charge of collecting and processing students’ aspirations) in MPH Himaris, the students legislative board of the English Student Association of Politeknik Negeri Bandung. Moreover, he was also the Head of the External Relations Bureau in the students legislative board at the institution level (MPM Polban). Through these roles, not only did he learn many new things, but he also met amazing people along the way who helped shape his character. During this phase, he learned that growth takes time. Adjusting to new experiences and continuously learning from them required patience, especially as he was still discovering his interests and strengths.

In his second year of study, he had to do an internship for two to three months to fulfill his academic requirements. He took his time to think about the right place for him to gain experience in the professional field. Eventually, he chose to do his internship at Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung, Indonesia, as a customer service officer

This experience became a turning point for him. Through his internship at the airport, he was introduced to a professional environment that allowed him to explore his potential and better understand his strengths. Being directly involved in service-related tasks helped him realize what kind of work suited him the most. As time went by, he became more aware that he had great potential in roles related to service, such as a customer service officer or an airport announcer. From that moment, he knew where his interest and strengths truly belonged, and he decided that he wanted to pursue a career in the world of aviation.

He also realized that the first career we choose plays an important role in shaping our future path. That is why understanding ourselves, our interests, and our strengths becomes very important before stepping further into the professional world.

One month before his graduation, he was accepted as a full-time employee at PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), a transportation company that operates the high-speed railway project in Indonesia. However, not long after that, InJourney Airports Branch Soekarno-Hatta International Airport opened a recruitment, so he decided to apply and was eventually accepted. These experiences placed him in environments that continued to support his growth and helped him move closer to the career path he wanted to pursue.

Through his dedication and consistency, Arrafi has achieved several accomplishments that he is proud of. In his workplace, he was awarded as the best employee, which reflects his strong performance and commitment. He also became the best participant in Indonesian Hospitality Workshop, further proving his capability in the service field.

In addition, he has been trusted to become an MC for several events at the airport, as well as a model for InJourney in various contents and promotional posters. On top of that, he also received a scholarship to study Business Management at Bina Nusantara University Online, showing his willingness to continue growing and developing himself.

To balance both work and study, he emphasizes the importance of setting priorities. He manages his time by keeping track of important academic schedules, such as online meetings with lecturers, assignment deadlines, quizzes, and exams. He also avoids procrastination by completing tasks as soon as possible, knowing that delaying them will only lead to a heavier workload. “I try to finish them one by one whenever I have time,” he said. At the same time, he acknowledges that this path requires sacrifices.

“Balancing work and study demands both physical and mental energy, so your rest time will be reduced. However, it is part of my commitment and responsibility,” he explained

Despite all that, there were surely challenges throughout his journey. At first, the main challenge was adjusting to a new phase of life. University life is very different from the professional world that he encountered. Having to work in Jakarta, a city he was not yet familiar with, was something that required time to adapt to. Moreover, he needed to position himself differently, as the way he interacted with people during college could not be applied the same way in the workplace.

At this stage of his journey, resilience became one of the qualities that shaped him the most. However, rather than feeling overwhelmed, he chose to face each challenge and learn from it. These experiences pushed him to grow, build confidence, and stay committed to his goals. In the end, this resilience became one of the key factors that prepared him for the opportunities that came next.

Regardless of all the ups and downs, he always managed to get through the hurricane. He believed that feeling sad and disappointed is normal. He said,

“We just had to acknowledge it and take a moment to give ourselves a break. Then, until we feel a lot better, we need to remind ourselves of our main goal and try to get back on track. Remember God almighty and what motivates us to keep going. For example, some people might work to fulfill their own needs, while others may do it to support their families,” he added.

He also mentioned that having a hobby can be a great stress reliever for him. He said,

“It becomes a short getaway when needed. Having a hobby is one of the ways to add color to our lives.”

For him, hobbies make life more interesting and bearable.

“At the end of the day, we work for ourselves; therefore, when we need a break, we should take it. We have to enjoy what we do so that our performance can always be at its best,” he added.

Looking back at his journey, Arrafi shared some advice for students who are preparing for their future. He emphasized that learning should not only happen inside the classroom. Students should also try internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, or any activities that help them gain experience, as these will be very useful in the professional world.

He also highlighted the importance of setting goals and understanding oneself.

“You need to know where your interests and strengths are, so you can figure out where your goals should be,” he explained.

Arrafi’s journey shows that success is not something that comes instantly. Just like a tree that needs time and the right conditions to grow, a person also needs experiences, challenges, and self-awareness to reach their full potential. By exploring different opportunities and understanding himself better, he was able to find his path in the aviation industry.

His story reminds us that the key to building a meaningful career is not only about working hard, but also about knowing who we are and where we want to go. Furthermore, his willingness to share his personal experiences to undergraduate students reflects his genuine kindness and humility. At the end of the day, being smart does not necessarily guarantee a successful future. However, combining intelligence with a strong attitude is what truly helps someone go further.