“For a Data Analyst, Critical Thinking Is the Sharpest Tool”

A Story of Kevin Adrian Halim, Bangkit 2022 Graduate from Business Mathematics, Universitas Prasetiya Mulia

When Kevin Adrian Halim (24) first heard about Bangkit, he didn’t know it would become the launchpad for a fast-moving career in Indonesia’s top tech startups. What began as a casual recommendation from campus friends soon sparked a more profound curiosity that would steer him into machine learning, data science, and eventually, roles at Traveloka and GoTo. At the heart of Kevin’s journey was a simple but powerful driver: his fascination with data and how it could be used to solve real problems.

However, Kevin’s success didn’t come from technical skills alone. As someone who grew up across different cities and was raised by supportive parents, he carried the values of persistence and putting others first, which shaped how he learned, worked, and grew. This blend of grit, empathy, and sharp critical thinking—refined through Bangkit—helped Kevin transform from a curious student into a thriving data analyst in Indonesia’s competitive tech scene.

A Business Math Student With a Strong Interest in Data

Kevin was born in 2001 in Semarang, but his childhood wasn’t confined to just one place. He spent his early years moving around, living in Cirebon from eight months until he graduated elementary school, before settling in Serpong, Jakarta, where he has lived ever since. As the youngest of two, Kevin grew up in a household where values like grit, responsibility, and compassion were central.

“My parents taught me to work hard, but more importantly, to put others first. That principle shaped my approach to learning and working with people,” Kevin reflected.

After graduating from IPEKA Plus BSD in 2019, Kevin enrolled in Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, majoring in Business Mathematics. During university, his interest in data science began to take shape. He chose the Industrial Mathematics concentration, driven by a curiosity about how data could be used to solve real-world problems. Around this time, he heard of Bangkit through upper-level students and campus peers.

“People kept talking about Bangkit like it was this golden opportunity for students interested in tech. I was curious once I learned it was a career readiness program supported by the Ministry of Education and completely free,” Kevin recalled.

Kevin’s Interest in Data Led Him to Study Machine Learning Through Bangkit

Kevin’s curiosity led him to do more research. He discovered that Bangkit wasn’t just another online course—it was a rigorous, multi-faceted program designed to prepare university students for careers in technology. Global tech leaders like Google and top Indonesian startups like GoTo and Traveloka backed it. The Machine Learning path caught his attention most, which covered advanced topics like TensorFlow, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Deep Learning, and Time Series analysis.

“Bangkit’s curriculum felt like it would give me an edge. It offered things I wouldn’t have access to otherwise, like certification opportunities and hands-on projects,” Kevin said.

In 2022, Kevin successfully enrolled in Bangkit's Machine Learning path. He described the learning experience as both intense and rewarding. “It wasn’t easy. The content was deep and very specialized. I had to push myself to keep up with topics like image classification and NLP. But the best part was, I wasn’t doing it alone.”

Bangkit provided mentors to guide participants and fostered a community of like-minded peers who supported each other through the journey. Kevin said that this support network made a huge difference. “I felt like we were all in it together. Whenever I struggled, there was always someone I could reach out to, whether it was a mentor or a fellow student.”

Bangkit Provided a Gateway to a Career in Data

However, Bangkit didn’t just focus on hard skills. Its curriculum also included soft skills and English language development, equipping students with the tools to thrive in real-world workplaces. “That’s what made Bangkit stand out. It was comprehensive. It wasn’t just about the tech—it was about becoming a professional,” he added.

One of the defining moments of his Bangkit experience was working on a capstone project. It wasn’t just an academic exercise; it became a vital piece of his portfolio. This project and the TensorFlow Developer certification he earned through Bangkit played a pivotal role in securing his first internship as a Data Analyst at Traveloka, one of the program’s founding partners.

“When I interviewed at Traveloka, I talked about my capstone project, what I learned at Bangkit, and how I applied those lessons. That experience set me,” Kevin said. His performance during the internship opened more doors. Shortly after, he landed a full-time role at Tokopedia as a Data Analyst, and not long after, he joined GoTo.

Critical Thinking: Kevin’s Essential Asset in His Career at Goto

At GoTo, Kevin’s role involves being what he calls “a data detective.” He investigates performance metrics and helps the business make data-driven decisions. “If someone in the company asks why sales dipped last month, it’s my job to dig into the data and find the answer. I must translate numbers into narratives that business leaders can act on.”

Kevin believes his career progression wouldn’t have been this smooth without Bangkit. “If I had just graduated without any standout skills or real experience, I think finding a job would have been much tougher. Bangkit gave me a head start,” he said.

He also emphasized how Bangkit sharpened what he now considers the most essential asset for a Data Analyst: critical thinking.

“Our biggest asset isn’t just how efficient we are at writing SQL queries or how beautiful our dashboards look. It’s how sharp we are in thinking through problems. There are always multiple ways to analyze data, and choosing the right one requires solid judgment,” Kevin explained.

4 Tips from Kevin for Building a Career at a Leading Tech Startup

For aspiring digital talents hoping to follow in his footsteps, Kevin shared four career tips:

#1 Develop Strong Critical Thinking

“Tech skills can be learned fairly quickly, but critical thinking takes time to build. As a Data Analyst, your value lies in how well you can approach problems from different angles.”

#2 Build a Domain Specialty

“To stand out, you need more than generic tech knowledge. Choose a specific domain—search optimization, A/B testing, or NLP—and become good at it. Then, build a portfolio around that domain. It’ll help you stand out during job interviews.”

#3 Research the Job Market

“Don’t blindly apply for jobs. Take the time to understand what skills companies are looking for right now. With AI and large language models (LLMs) gaining popularity, it’s important to align your skills with current trends.”

#4 Be Prepared—Early.

“Opportunities don’t wait for you to catch up. Build your fundamentals early and be job-ready even before you graduate. That way, when the right opportunity comes, you can jump on it.”

Today, Kevin thrives at GoTo, applying everything he’s learned while continuing to grow. He credits his success to Bangkit and the mindset it helped him develop—one of curiosity, discipline, and lifelong learning.

“Bangkit helped me realize that careers don’t happen by accident. They’re built, step by step. And for me, it all started with saying yes to that one opportunity.”

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