IPB University’s Quality Youth School Program Comes to SMPN 1 Dramaga

IPB University lecturer Dr Yulina Eva Riany provided guidance to students at SMPN 1 Dramaga on the importance of recognizing their potential, talents, and interests as preparation for planning their future. 

This activity is part of the Quality Youth School program, a collaboration between the Directorate of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) and the Center for Gender and Child Studies (PKGA) at IPB University.

Dr Yulina explained that recognizing one’s potential is the first step in understanding one’s direction in life and aspirations. “Students are encouraged to understand that knowing themselves is an important step so that they can understand the direction of their lives and the goals they want to achieve,” she said.

She added that every individual has “hidden treasures” in the form of potential that can be developed in various ways, such as self-assessment, seeking new challenges, learning and developing oneself, accepting failure, persevering, committing, and collaborating.

On this occasion, Dr Yulina also explained two types of talents, namely general talents and specific talents, such as verbal, numerical, spatial, mechanical, clerical, and scholastic talents.

Meanwhile, Kayla, a representative of IPB University students, explained the concept of interests, which are divided into vocational and avocational interests. She gave examples that interests can include professional fields, commercial activities, physical activities, exploration, and creativity.

Kayla described the relationship between potential, talent, and interest using a simple analogy. “Potential is like the foundation of ability, talent is the driving force, and interest is the fuel that guides a person toward success,” she explained.

Through this activity, it is hoped that students can better recognize their personal strengths and interests so that they can design a more focused future that aligns with their individual potential. (dh) (IAAS/FMT)