Story of Andika, a Vocational School Graduate Sandwich Generation Job Seeker at West Jakarta Job Fair
Andika (19), a vocational school (SMK) graduate, was one of the job seekers at the Jakarta Job Fair held at the Tamansari District office in West Jakarta. The Jelambar resident recounted becoming part of the sandwich generation after his parents fell ill in recent months.
"Honestly, my parents, in the last few months after I graduated, have started to get sick. They’ve begun to find it difficult to work. So now I’m just focused on finding a job," Andika explained when met after a walk-in interview at the location on Thursday (25/6/2026).
"Actually, for medicine or going to the clinic, it’s covered, we have BPJS. So now it’s just about paying for the household needs, like electricity, food, things like that," he continued.
In addition to the Jakarta Job Fair, Andika applied to be a store crew member at a minimarket company. Even so, he remains open to other jobs.
"I applied to be a store crew. I’ll take whatever is available. When I got the info about the job fair, I just gave it a try," he said.
As a member of the sandwich generation, Andika has a younger sibling who is still in primary school. "I also have a younger sibling, still in primary school. I usually give them pocket money too," he said.
Before attending the job fair, Andika did odd jobs with his friends to earn money. The young man has experience from an internship while he was still at school.
"I had an internship. It was in an office. Nowadays, I just follow my friends. Like helping out or accompanying them somewhere, if there’s money in it, I grab it," he said.
Andika hopes to get a permanent job soon so he can support his family. He also hopes the government will hold more job fairs.
"My hope is that they hold more job fairs like this, so more people can get work. And for myself, I hope I can get a job quickly, so I can support myself and my family," he added.
Besides Andika, another 19-year-old named Ilham applied for a security staff position. Ilham, who currently works as an online motorcycle taxi driver, hopes to get a job so he is not a burden on his parents.
"It’s more about looking at the family situation. I don’t have any dependents, but I just feel sorry for my parents having to keep supporting me. Especially since I’m still young," said Ilham.
Echoing Andika, Ilham hopes the government will increase the number of job fairs. He mentioned that many people are struggling to find work.
"For the government, maybe they could hold more events like this job fair, because the situation in Indonesia is really tough for finding a job, right? As for myself, I hope things will get better in the future," he said.