When I decided to join SEG, I believed it would help me become a bright star in the future. This pursuit was made possible by the generous scholarship from SEG, which has given me the privilege of receiving quality education and experiences from the prestigious ivy league university, one of the world’s top higher education institutions, Columbia University.
Studying at Columbia has been a fulfilling and rewarding journey. It has provided me with the opportunity to grow as a human resources professional and leader and helped me hone my skills and knowledge through the endless resources Columbia has to offer. I’ve learned from the cutting-edge real-world applicable curriculum and gained insights directly from the world-class scholar-practitioner faculty and guest lectures from Fortune 500 company leaders. I’ve also built friendships with students from all over the world. Moreover, this program has allowed me to advance my educational, professional, and extracurricular activities. It has driven me to expand my reach internationally.
I am fortunate to have been able to participate in the following activities during my study at Columbia. I joined the Human Capital Management student club as the vice president of project management, where I got to organize events like a fireside chat with a former Google VP, an author series with Columbia professors, and mindfulness events. I was also selected as a student intern at the Columbia SPS Career Design Lab, which promotes career development and self-empowerment for students and alumni.
Moreover, as a member of the United Nations Association of the USA Columbia University Chapter, I participated in the 2023 Global Engagement Summit held at UN Headquarters in New York. One of the plenaries at the summit was “Support Sustainable Development and Climate Action,” which aligns with our work in SEG. That work is committed to advancing Indonesia and the world toward a more sustainable future through clean and renewable energy. Being inside the UN General Assembly and participating in thought-provoking sessions with world leaders, community leaders, students, lifetime advocates, and young professionals has been such a dream.
Furthermore, I am delighted to have been accepted as a Change Management Intern at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office of Human Resources, as an integral part of the Columbia University Human Capital Management program. UNDP's commitment to sustainable development deeply resonates with the values that drive my organization and myself. People and sustainable development have been the common thread in my work and values that continue to drive me to grow as a person. I am eager and honored to contribute to UNDP's meaningful work and embrace the opportunities for growth and learning that lie ahead
As a woman professional who recently transitioned into a leadership position, I realized how SEG had fully supported my personal and professional growth. In 2021 – 2022, I was fortunate to participate in the five-month Women in Leadership program provided by SEG in collaboration with Cornell University, which aims to boost women employees’ leadership skills, create more women leaders, and push them to rise through the rank. I am thankful for the equal opportunities SEG has provided for women employees from a support team, and they continue to thrive. With these privileges comes responsibility. I commit to fully leveraging this opportunity by studying diligently and using the valuable knowledge, skills, and capabilities I gain at Columbia to create a positive impact and further contribute to SEG and Indonesia after graduation.
Thank you very much, SEG and Columbia, for the incredible opportunity and long-lasting impact on my life!
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Human Capital Management program prepares graduates to be world-class HCM strategists able to address changing needs in building and motivating talented, engaged workforces in the private, public, academic, and not-for-profit sectors. The 36-credit program is available in part-time, full-time, on-campus, and online formats. The part-time degree can take up to six terms to complete and a full-time degree can take up to three terms to complete.
About the Author
Prita Kartika Putri is a full-time student in the M.S. in Human Capital Management program. She is also a talent management team leader for the human capital department, finance & administration division at Star Energy Geothermal (SEG), Indonesia’s largest geothermal energy producer and a leading clean energy company. In recognition of her potential, SEG awarded her with a scholarship to pursue her studies at Columbia University in New York. She was just one of two employees awarded the graduate scholarship.
