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Seminar: Getting to Know the Interests and Talents of the Faculty of Psychology UNPRI Crowded with High School and Vocational High School Students from Medan City

UNPRI Inspirational Seminar: Find Your Interests and Talents! ,Open Day UNPRI 2025

Medan, Students at the Universitas Prima Indonesia (UNPRI) campus and high school students in Medan City were very enthusiastic about attending a seminar held by the UNPRI Faculty of Psychology entitled "Getting to Know Interests and Talents to Determine the Right Career", which was held on Wednesday (5/2/2025) at the Hall, 10th Floor, UNPRI Campus, Jln.Sampul no 3 Medan.

Resource person Husna Astria Aritonang, M.Psi., Psychologist, Lecturer at the UNPRI Faculty of Psychology, who is also an Associate Psychologist at Alinsan Psychology Assessment and Consulting (APAC), said that interest is someone's interest in a field or activity. Interest can be honed from the outside, for that the role of the environment is large in increasing interest. It can be in the form of learning outcomes/experiences, orientation to hobbies/pleasures alone, easily changing according to trends.

While talent is a natural potential that someone has in doing something well. Talent is natural/natural/innate, regardless of likes or dislikes, does not change easily and is permanent, where the genetic aspect is more dominant.

According to Husna, based on data from the Integrity Development Flexibility (IDF), around 87% of students in Indonesia feel that they have chosen a major that does not match their interests and talents. Research from the Indonesia Career Center Network (ICCN) in 2017 showed that 87% of students in Indonesia made mistakes in choosing a major. "Mistakes in choosing a major can have a negative impact on academic achievement and student psychological well-being," he said.

Therefore, Husna said it is very important to recognize interests and talents in determining a career. If properly recognized, it will be able to increase job satisfaction and motivation, facilitate the long-term career development process, reduce the risk of stress and dissatisfaction at work.

Then Husna explained how to recognize interests and talents. According to him, there are several ways, including Self-Assessment, identifying the most enjoyable activities, evaluating skills that are easy to master, recalling past successful experiences.

Another way is to take a Psychology and Personality Test (Interest and Talent Test, such as Personality Test (MBTI, DISC, etc.) and Multiple Intelligence Test (Howard Gardner). Then get feedback from others (ask family, friends, or mentors, observe how others assess our abilities. Or exploration and direct experience (take courses or training in various fields, do internships or volunteer work, try various hobbies or projects.

According to him, the relationship between interests and talents and careers is very close. "Therefore, we need to map interests and talents with the world of work. For example, if you like to write and have good communication skills, you can consider a career in journalism or content creator. If you have talent in mathematics and data analysis, you can lead to a profession as a data analyst or accountant.

Then conduct an analysis using the SWOT method in career planning. Strengths: What do we master? Weaknesses: What needs to be improved? Opportunities: Career opportunities that match your interests and talents. Threats: Challenges that may be faced.

In the seminar hosted by Moderator Rina Mirza, M.Psi., Psychologist, permanent lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, UNPRI and Head of the Center for Excellence in Clinical Psychology Science and Technology: Family Mental Health Center, UNPRI, Husna explained that knowing your interests and talents is the first step in determining a suitable career. “Exploration and hands-on experience are essential in finding the most suitable field. Career planning will help you achieve success in the workplace,” he said.

When asked by students how they feel about choosing the wrong major, Husna said that choosing the wrong major is not the end of everything. "But look at your potential and develop the strengths you have through the major you have chosen," she replied.

Question Amanah, a student at the UNPRI Faculty of Law, said she was worried about the future because she felt she was in the wrong major. "I am worried about the future, because my real interests and talents are in the culinary world. What should I do because if I continue in the legal field, I feel unmotivated and it will cost more to be able to have a career in law," she asked.

According to Husna, the question is very relevant to her life. "I also like to cook, and my parents also opposed me taking a culinary class. But what I'm doing now is continuing my career, but still not leaving my interest in cooking. I use my interest in cooking as a fun hobby in between careers. If you want to start from scratch in the legal field, that's okay. The process is long, but try to stay focused and continue what you've started," he answered.

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