[CASPER #11] Self Improvement for Agriculture Students: Entrepreneurial Skills Importance for Agriculture Students

[INDONESIA VERSION]

Halo, FamilIAAS!

Podcast Pertanian (CASPER) kembali mengisi ruang media sosial untuk menyapa para mahasiswa dan pemerhati dunia pertanian. Episode ke-11 CASPER persembahan Departemen Science and Technology IAAS LC UNS ini mengusung tema “Self Improvement for Agriculture Students: Entrepreneurial Skills Importance for Agriculture Students”. Sesi perbincangan kali ini menghadirkan narasumber inspiratif, yaitu Mas Aji, alumnus Agroteknologi UNS angkatan 2019 yang juga merupakan alumni IAAS.

Kehadiran episode kali ini dilatarbelakangi oleh pesatnya perkembangan teknologi, perubahan dinamika pasar, serta ancaman krisis pangan global. Kondisi ini menuntut mahasiswa pertanian untuk terus meningkatkan daya saing mereka. Di tengah tantangan yang semakin kompleks, pemahaman teknis (hard skills) saja tentu tidak lagi cukup. Mahasiswa juga perlu membekali diri dengan kemampuan beradaptasi dan berinovasi agar mampu menjawab kebutuhan sektor pertanian masa kini.

Salah satu kunci utamanya terletak pada pengembangan keterampilan kewirausahaan (entrepreneurial skills). Menumbuhkan mindset kewirausahaan membantu mahasiswa melihat potensi besar dari berbagai komoditas pertanian serta menciptakan nilai tambah di sektor tersebut. Kesadaran ini menjadi pendorong utama untuk mengubah cara pandang mahasiswa pertanian agar tidak sekadar berfokus mencari kerja (job seeker), tetapi juga berani menciptakan lapangan kerja (job creator).

Dikemas dalam perbincangan santai nan edukatif berdurasi 35 menit 15 detik, podcast ini membedah pengalaman nyata Mas Aji dalam merintis beragam usaha sejak masa perkuliahan, mulai dari sektor F&B (Toean), nursery (Petiole), hingga bidang art/design. Menariknya, di masa akhir perkuliahan, Mas Aji membagikan kisah perjuangannya dalam membagi waktu antara mengelola bisnis dan menjalani kegiatan sebagai co-assistant (coass). Pengalaman tersebut tidak hanya melatih kedisiplinan, tetapi juga mengasah kemampuan public speaking dan komunikasi yang sangat berguna dalam mengelola bisnis.

Melalui CASPER Episode #11, IAAS LC UNS berharap dapat memberikan motivasi agar semakin banyak mahasiswa pertanian yang percaya diri untuk berkontribusi dalam pembangunan pertanian berkelanjutan. Bagi FamilIAAS dan siapa saja yang ingin menyimak obrolan serta insight inspiratif ini, episode selengkapnya dapat diakses melalui saluran YouTube IAAS LC UNS dan Spotify Suguhan IAAS.

Sampai jumpa di CASPER selanjutnya!

[ENGLISH VERSION]

Podcast Pertanian (CASPER) has returned to social media to reconnect with students and agriculture enthusiasts. In its 11th episode, presented by the Science and Technology Department of IAAS LC UNS, CASPER explores the theme “Self Improvement for Agriculture Students: Entrepreneurial Skills Importance for Agriculture Students”. This episode features an inspiring guest speaker, Mas Aji, a 2019 Agrotechnology graduate from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and an alumnus of IAAS.

This episode was inspired by rapid technological advancements, shifting market dynamics, and the growing threat of a global food crisis. These challenges require agriculture students to continuously build their competitiveness. In today’s complex agricultural landscape, technical knowledge (hard skills) alone is no longer enough. Students must also equip themselves with adaptability and innovation to meet modern industry demands.

One of the key elements for success lies in developing entrepreneurial skills. Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset helps students recognize the massive potential of agricultural commodities and create added value within the sector. More importantly, this awareness encourages agriculture students to shift their perspective from merely being job seekers to becoming job creators who contribute to sustainable agriculture.

In a relaxed yet educational 35-minute and 15-second discussion, this episode explores Mas Aji’s real-world experience of starting several businesses during his college years, including food and beverage (Toean), nursery (Petiole), and art/design. Notably, Mas Aji shares his journey of balancing business operations with his duties as a co-assistant during his final years at university. He credits this co-assistant experience not only with building his discipline, but also with sharpening his public speaking and communication skills, which have proven essential in running his businesses.

Through CASPER Episode #11, IAAS LC UNS hopes to inspire more agriculture students to gain confidence and actively contribute to sustainable agricultural development. For FamilIAAS and anyone seeking inspiring insights, the full episode is now available on the IAAS LC UNS YouTube channel and the Suguhan IAAS Spotify podcast.

See you in the next CASPER episode!

Writer: Ninda Pritasari

Credit: IAAS LC UNS