SMK Graduate Delays College to Start Working to Support Parents

JAKARTA — Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, Nabil Anis Sofar (19) walked out of the Gelanggang Olahraga building at Gelanggang Remaja Jakarta Utara, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, where the Jakarta Job Fair was held. He had come from Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, with a friend since the morning to look for work at the event. “What time did you start? Probably around 9:00 a.m. or around 9:30 a.m., I think,” he told Kompas.com when we met him on Wednesday. Nabil’s father works as a security guard, while his mother works as a cleaner. That circumstance led him to decide to work immediately and help ease his parents’ burden. “From the family economy, that’s the main factor. But I do want to work,” he said. He plans to continue his education only after earning enough money from his own work. “I want to work first, save up, then go to college,” he said. He says it is quite difficult to find jobs as an SMK graduate. According to him, most openings still require a Bachelor’s degree. He adds that job vacancies for SMK graduates need to be expanded so new graduates have broader employment opportunities. Not all SMK graduates choose to pursue higher education. Some choose to work directly to help the family economy, like him. “Most SMK graduates either want to go to college or want to work. So if possible, the requirements should broaden to include more SMK graduates,” he said. Nabil hopes the government can open more job opportunities for SMK graduates who wish to work directly after finishing their education.