Medan, September 13, 2026 — Students of the Mining Engineering Study Program at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) gained firsthand insights into the professional mining industry through a sharing session with Heryks R. Awom, S.T., M.BA, a Geotechnical Mining Professional working at one of Indonesia's leading mining companies.
Prior to the event, his arrival was welcomed in the Mining Engineering office by Edi Yasa Ardiansyah, S.T., M.T., Secretary of the Mining Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, USU.
Held on Tuesday (Sept 8) on the USU Mining Engineering campus, the event offered incoming freshmen a direct perspective from an industry practitioner on navigating academic journeys, transitioning into the workforce, and managing career dynamics in mining. Heryks R. Awom took the opportunity to host this sharing session while visiting Medan during his work leave.
Throughout the session, Awom reflected on his career path—tracing his days as a student, his preparation for entering the job market, his early experiences joining a mining firm, and the professional responsibilities he manages today.
He emphasized that while higher education lays a vital foundation for a future mining professional's competence, students must also actively build supplementary skill sets required to thrive in a modern work environment.
“I want students to understand that becoming a professional in the mining industry doesn't happen overnight. What we learn in college serves as the foundation, but experience, discipline, teamwork, and a continuous willingness to learn will ultimately shape our path once we enter the workforce,” said Heryks R. Awom.
He also urged students to make full use of their university years—not only to achieve academic success, but also to build personal capacity through activities that enhance their readiness to enter the professional world.
“When I was a student, I was in the exact same position as all of you. There were so many things about the professional world that I didn't understand yet. That's why you should make the most of your college years to learn as much as possible, build networks, participate in both academic and non-academic activities, and start identifying the field you want to pursue after graduation,” he added.
Furthermore, Heryks explained that working in the mining sector comes with complex challenges. A professional is required to not only master technical expertise, but also possess communication skills, teamwork, decision-making abilities, leadership, and a solid understanding of safety and environmental standards.
"The mining industry presents dynamic challenges. We are not only required to understand technical aspects, but we must also be able to communicate effectively, work in teams, make sound decisions, maintain workplace safety, and understand environmental and sustainability standards,” he explained.
During the discussion session, students had the opportunity to interact directly with Heryks. They raised various questions regarding job market preparation, the competencies sought by mining companies, field work experiences, and career development opportunities for Mining Engineering graduates.
The sharing session provided students with a clear picture of the link between academic competencies gained in higher education and actual industry needs. The practitioner's insights complemented classroom learning, enabling students to see how mining engineering principles are applied to solve real-world field challenges.
Heryks expressed hope that such sessions between industry professionals and students will motivate them to better prepare for their future careers.
“I am glad to share my experiences with the Mining Engineering students at USU. I hope my story provides both clarity and motivation as they prepare themselves for the future. Everyone’s career path is different, but the key is to keep learning, perform well, and never stop growing,” concluded Heryks R. Awom.
The event also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between academia and industry to support student competence development. Direct interaction with practitioners is expected to enrich students' perspectives and help them understand the expectations and challenges they will face upon graduation. Looking ahead, during his next leave, Heryks plans to dedicate specific time to deliver a guest lecture for USU Mining Engineering students tailored to his current area of expertise and professional work.
For the Mining Engineering students of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), this exchange served as valuable preparation as they forge their path toward the professional world. Heryks R. Awom's presence not only expanded their academic horizons, but also provided a vivid portrait of what it means to be a resilient, principled, and adaptable mining professional in the field. Furthermore, this synergy underscores the university's commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Through this bridge between the classroom and industry, the seeds of young mining talent are being nurtured to drive responsible, eco-friendly mining practices across Indonesia.