Purwokerto, 16 May 2025 — Four students from the Sastra Inggris Study Programme, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman are currently undergoing a six-month internship program at Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum (PDAM) Tirta Satria Purwokerto. This activity is part of the implementation of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM), which aims to equip students with practical skills and direct experience in the world of work.
The four students are Khana Nuraeni, Salma Anggun Kharisma, Nur Halimah Putri Ningrum, and Azkia Maulida. They were placed in various work units at PDAM, including customer service, archiving, data management, activity documentation, and monitoring of public service processes. During the internship, the students played a role in supporting daily operational activities and gained a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of working in a public service institution.
Students demonstrate a cooperative attitude under the guidance of Tri Agustina, S.E, a representative from PDAM Banyumas (photo: Sasing Unsoed)
Tri Agustina, S.E, a PDAM representative involved in mentoring the students, stated that their presence brought a positive atmosphere to the workplace. “These students showed a cooperative attitude and a high enthusiasm for learning. They adapted quickly and actively supported various activities in their respective units.”
The internship participants also shared their impressions during the program. Khana Nuraeni admitted that she felt comfortable and welcomed in the PDAM environment. “I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at PDAM. The working atmosphere here is very comfortable, the employees are friendly and open, so I felt like part of the big PDAM family. The family-like work environment made the learning process more enjoyable. I not only gained new experience and knowledge, but also valuable memories with amazing people. Thank you PDAM for this unforgettable experience,” she said.
Azkia Maulida, who was placed in the customer service section, highlighted the importance of soft skills in dealing with various customer personalities. “The atmosphere was relaxed but full of learning. I learned a lot about communication and teamwork. Good teamwork and a warm sense of family made the atmosphere comfortable. I learned a lot, especially in terms of soft skills and how to communicate directly with customers. I hope PDAM continues to progress and develop, and always satisfies its customers.”
Nur Halimah Putri Ningrum described this experience as a valuable opportunity. “I was able to see the public service process firsthand and improve my professional skills. My knowledge and skills in the working world developed much better. This was a meaningful opportunity, and I am very grateful to the employees who guided me during the internship.”
Salma Anggun Kharisma also gained important lessons from direct interaction with customers. “I learned to understand various characters of people, while also strengthening my self-confidence and communication skills. There were many unique customers, some who were once angry, some who already knew me by heart, and even some who once gave me snacks while joking around. This experience was exciting and made me learn to recognize various characters of people. There were many new things I learned that were very useful, especially related to soft skills such as confidence, good communication with colleagues, honesty, and understanding various life stories of customers.”
Through direct involvement in various aspects of work at PDAM, students are expected to develop professional abilities and readiness to face the dynamic world of work. This activity also serves as a concrete example of synergy between higher education and public service institutions in shaping competent, adaptive, and highly competitive graduates.
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