Not Yet Graduated but Already in Banking: UNM Student Succeeds Through IEP 3+1

Universitas Nusa Mandiri (UNM), positioning itself as a Digital Business Campus, continues its commitment to producing job-ready graduates through the Internship Experience Program (IEP) 3+1. This flagship programme allows students to gain direct professional experience in the industry before completing their studies. One success story is Tiara Putri Adhaini, an eighth-semester student from the Information Systems Study Programme at UNM’s Faculty of Information Technology, who secured an internship at Bank Mandiri Taspen, a prominent national banking institution in Indonesia. Through the IEP 3+1 programme, Tiara undertook a three-month internship from 11 February to 11 May 2026. The experience gave her the opportunity to be directly involved in various operational activities, ranging from customer data management to creating graphic design materials for the company’s social media needs. Tiara initially applied for a Graphic Designer position, but during the programme she was also entrusted with handling several administrative tasks requiring precision and data management skills. “During my internship, I gained a lot of new experience. I learned how to work professionally, manage data meticulously, and understand the work culture in a banking environment. Occasionally, I was also given the opportunity to design posters for the company’s social media needs,” Tiara said. Her journey to securing the internship was not instant. She obtained information about the opportunity through the UNM student community, then underwent a series of selection processes, including administration, submission of CV and portfolio, and an interview with the company. According to her, the portfolio was a crucial factor supporting her success in the selection process. However, technical skills alone are insufficient without professional attitude and good work ethics. “A portfolio is very important because it is proof of our abilities. But ability alone is not enough. A good attitude, willingness to learn, and ethics at work are also factors highly regarded by companies,” Tiara stated. The internship experience further strengthened Tiara’s belief that students must dare to seize opportunities to continue developing and gaining experience while still in university. “Do whatever makes you grow, the important thing is to be confident first,” she said. The Head of the Information Systems Study Programme at UNM, Sukmawati Anggraeni Putri, appreciated Tiara’s achievement, noting that it demonstrated the quality of UNM students in a professional work environment. “Tiara’s success in undertaking an internship at Bank Mandiri Taspen shows that Universitas Nusa Mandiri students possess good adaptability to industry needs. Although assigned to diverse tasks, from administration to graphic design, the student was able to show professionalism, responsibility, and a high spirit of learning. Such experience is very important for shaping graduates who are not only academically excellent but also have work readiness aligned with the current needs of the industrial world,” she said. She added that the IEP 3+1 programme is an effective strategy for bridging the academic world with industry needs, ensuring students gain relevant experience before entering the workforce. The Head of the Nusa Mandiri Career Center (NCC), Muhammad Faisal, affirmed that the IEP 3+1 programme represents UNM’s commitment as a Digital Business Campus to providing structured work experience for students. “The IEP 3+1 programme is designed to provide structured work experience to students before they graduate. We not only help students secure internship placements but also ensure they gain learning relevant to industry needs. Tiara’s success at Bank Mandiri Taspen is proof that synergy between the campus and the industrial world can produce talent ready to contribute early on,” he explained. According to him, the success of students undertaking internship programmes at various partner companies also serves as an indicator of the career development success carried out by NCC through competency training, career mentoring, and job recruitment preparation. As a Digital Business Campus, Universitas Nusa Mandiri continues to expand collaboration with various national and multinational companies to provide more applicable learning experiences to students. Through the IEP 3+1 programme, students not only gain knowledge in the classroom but also professional experience that serves as essential preparation for facing an increasingly competitive job market. Tiara’s success is one proof that UNM students are able to compete, adapt, and thrive in a professional industry environment even before officially holding a bachelor’s degree.