Authors: Tuhu Nugraha and Rosaria Mita Amalia*
Challenges of Career Expos at Indonesian Campuses
In Indonesia, career expos play a crucial role in connecting students and alumni with job opportunities. However, these events often face various challenges. One of the main problems is the limited reach, where a survey conducted by Katadata Insight Center shows that about 37% of alumni residing outside the city or island cannot attend the expo due to distance and cost barriers. Meanwhile, 28% of alumni living abroad also face difficulties due to visa and time issues.
Additionally, the high cost of organizing these events becomes a hindrance for both organizers and participants, especially for companies that have to cover expenses for venue rental, equipment, and accommodation. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2020 recorded that there are 2.9 million students in Indonesia, with about 20% (580,000) of them coming from outside the area and 1% (29,000) from abroad. However, according to data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) in 2023, only about 10% of the 4,583 higher education institutions in Indonesia are capable of organizing large-scale career expos.
Limited capacity is another obstacle, where the Ministry of Manpower records about 2.7 million job seekers in Indonesia in 2023, while the average capacity of career expos can only accommodate about 5,000 participants. A survey from Jobstreet also revealed that about 60% of job seekers feel dissatisfied with the level of interactivity and innovation in career expos. This data and facts indicate that there is significant room for improvement in organizing career expos in Indonesia, especially in terms of reach, cost, capacity, and interactivity.
Innovation Through the Metaverse
Facing the challenges of organizing career expos in Indonesia, the Metaverse technology offers an innovative and revolutionary solution. The Metaverse, a virtual world that combines aspects of the internet, virtual reality (VR), and social media, opens new opportunities to overcome the various obstacles faced so far. With its ability to create limitless interactive spaces, the Metaverse can address issues of limited reach, high organizing costs, limited capacity, and lack of interactivity and innovation in career expos. Here are some potential uses of the Metaverse for career expos at universities in Indonesia:
Inclusivity and Accessibility
The Metaverse offers a revolutionary solution in overcoming the geographical barriers that have been a major obstacle in organizing career expos. By allowing alumni and companies from various regions, including abroad, to participate virtually, the Metaverse not only increases inclusivity but also provides a wider opportunity for participants to explore global career opportunities. This means that without having to travel far, participants can access career opportunities from around the world, and companies can reach talents from various countries more efficiently. This significantly reduces the cost and complexity of logistics for both parties, while also opening the door for global companies to find the best candidates in a broader job market.
The implementation of the Metaverse in career expos is also very relevant to the spirit of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) that is currently widely discussed. From an environmental perspective, organizing career expos virtually can reduce the carbon footprint generated from travel and the use of physical facilities. This aligns with the ESG goals to promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. In social aspects, the Metaverse strengthens inclusivity and equal access by eliminating physical barriers that may prevent some individuals from participating. Lastly, from a governance standpoint, virtual expo organizing allows for better data collection and transparency in the recruitment process, in line with the ESG principles of accountability and integrity. Examples of Metaverse implementation in global events, such as CES organizing virtual components, and initiatives by educational institutions holding virtual job fairs, show the great potential of this technology. These cases not only affirm the effectiveness of the Metaverse in enhancing the reach and interactivity of career expos but also in supporting ESG initiatives by promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and good governance. Therefore, adopting the Metaverse in organizing career expos is not just about technological innovation but also about contributing to the broader goals of ESG.
24-Hour Access and High Interactivity
Organizing career expos in the Metaverse offers various advantages that not only address geographical limitations but also provide solutions to the challenges of cost, time, and space that often hinder offline organization. The 24-hour accessibility offered by the Metaverse allows participants from different time zones to take part without being tied to conventional schedules, providing unprecedented flexibility.
Thus, there are no longer concerns about missing opportunities due to schedule conflicts or operational limitations of the event. Enhanced interactivity is one of the main advantages of career expos in the Metaverse. Features such as preliminary testing using AI and interviews in virtual reality (VR) not only enhance user experience but also add value for companies in the candidate selection process.
This allows companies to conduct early screening more efficiently and effectively, saving time and costs usually required for manual selection processes. Additionally, the Metaverse enables the organization of workshops, seminars, and training sessions that might traditionally be constrained by organizing costs and limited space. In the Metaverse, organizers can design unlimited virtual spaces, allowing for greater scale interaction and participation. This is crucial for stakeholders, including educational institutions and companies, who wish to add value through education and competency development of participants.
The use of VR and augmented reality (AR) technology in the Metaverse also opens possibilities for job simulations and other immersive activities that provide a realistic view of the work environment. This is an important aspect that is often difficult to achieve in offline settings due to cost and space limitations. Through these immersive experiences, participants can better understand what is expected from various job roles and adjust their career aspirations accordingly.
Data and Analytics
The utilization of the metaverse in organizing career expos allows for comprehensive data collection, providing valuable insights into participants’ preferences and needs. This data includes visitation patterns to company stands, interactions that occur, and participation in workshops or training sessions. Through this data analysis, organizers and companies can identify job market trends, participants’ career interests, and sought-after competencies. This information is invaluable for tailoring expo content to be more relevant and engaging for future participants. The analysis of data from career expos in the metaverse also benefits universities in preparing alumni for the job market. By understanding skill needs and industry preferences, educational institutions can adjust their curriculums and training programs to enhance their students’ work readiness. This is particularly important in the VUCA era, where adaptability and readiness to face change are key to career success. For companies, insights from this data assist in developing more effective recruitment strategies, targeting talents that meet the organization’s needs. This paves the way for closer collaboration between the educational and industrial worlds, ensuring that the education provided aligns with market needs while also improving job opportunities for graduates. Thus, the metaverse not only changes how career expos are organized but also helps campuses and companies become more responsive to job market dynamics.
Challenges and Solutions
The utilization of the metaverse in various aspects, including career expos, indeed faces challenges such as uneven digital infrastructure across Indonesia. To overcome this, significant investment in building and improving digital infrastructure throughout Indonesia is required. This investment not only includes enhancing fast and stable internet connections but also developing supporting facilities like data centers and content distribution networks to ensure smooth and efficient access to the metaverse.
This requires cooperation between the government, internet service providers, and the private sector to ensure that the infrastructure built can support digital innovations like the metaverse, allowing all layers of society to benefit from it. On the other hand, digital security and data protection issues are major concerns in the use of the metaverse.
Utilizing blockchain technology can be a solution in maintaining the security and integrity of data within the metaverse, thanks to its encryption and secure data distribution capabilities. Moreover, with the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act (UU PDP) in 2024, there will be a clearer legal framework for protecting users’ personal data in Indonesia. Therefore, metaverse developers must ensure that their platforms comply with this regulation to protect user privacy.
Additionally, regulations related to the use of AI need to be considered, given that the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) has issued AI ethics in December 2023. This regulation is expected to guide the development and application of AI in the metaverse, ensuring that this technology is used ethically and responsibly. The government needs to play an active role in creating regulations that support innovation while ensuring user security and privacy.
Conclusion
The utilization of the metaverse in organizing career expos in Indonesia offers an innovative solution to overcome the challenges faced so far, such as limited reach, high organizing costs, limited capacity, and lack of interactivity. With its ability to create limitless interactive spaces, the metaverse allows participants from various regions, including abroad, to participate, thus increasing inclusivity and providing wider opportunities for participants to explore global career opportunities. Additionally, the metaverse supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives by reducing the carbon footprint from physical travel and providing a platform for better data collection and transparency in the recruitment process.
However, challenges such as digital infrastructure, digital security, and data protection need to be addressed to maximize the potential of the metaverse. Investment in digital infrastructure, the implementation of blockchain technology for data security, and compliance with regulations such as the upcoming UU PDP in 2024, as well as regulations related to the use of AI, are essential steps that must be taken. With cooperation between the government, the private sector, and internet service providers, along with the adoption of supportive regulations, the metaverse can become the future of career expo organization in Indonesia, offering a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable experience for all parties involved.
*Rosaria Mita Amalia, Head of the Career Development Center at Padjadjaran University, Vice President of the Indonesia Career Center Network (ICCN)
