“Before You Can Thrive as a Tech Talent, It’s Important to Master the Basics”

A Story of Zulfikar Pramadhana, Bangkit 2023 Batch 2 Graduate from Computer Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada Long before he joined one of the world’s leading tech giants, Zulfikar Pramadhana (24) was just a curious boy in Yogyakarta, tinkering with his late father’s laptop and exploring the inner workings of software. Raised in a humble household by batik entrepreneurs in Pasar Beringharjo, Zulfikar learned early on that success doesn’t come easy—and that self-reliance is key. These values, passed down by his parents, became the compass that guided him through challenges both personal and academic. That same compass pointed him toward Bangkit, a transformative career readiness program backed by Google, GoTo, and Traveloka. While many students saw Bangkit as a stepping stone, for Zulfikar, it became a launchpad, equipping him with the technical skills to thrive in AI and the confidence to aim high. Just months after completing the program, he landed a coveted role as an AI Engineer at S...