The Career Development Center (CDC) of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta once again organized the Career Guidance Workshop Series #14, carrying the theme “Advocacy, Policy & Social Impact Careers.” The activity aimed to broaden students’ and graduates’ perspectives on career opportunities in the fields of advocacy, public policy, and social impact, sectors that increasingly require young professionals with integrity, critical thinking, and strong social concern.

The workshop was conducted interactively and attended by students and alumni from various study programs. Participants gained insights into career pathways in institutions engaged in public policy formulation, social advocacy, community empowerment, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, public institutions, and social enterprises.

The invited speakers shared practical experiences and professional journeys in building careers focused on social impact and public policy. Participants were introduced to the dynamics of advocacy work, policy development processes, stakeholder engagement, and strategies for creating sustainable social change through professional roles.

In the session, participants also learned that careers in advocacy and public policy require not only academic competence but also strong communication skills, analytical thinking, collaboration abilities, and sensitivity to social issues. Therefore, students were encouraged to actively build relevant experiences through organizational involvement, internships, volunteering, research, and community engagement.

The workshop also emphasized that social impact careers are increasingly relevant in today’s era, where societal challenges such as inequality, education, health, environment, and public governance demand innovative and collaborative solutions. Career opportunities in this field are not limited to nonprofit institutions but are also growing in government agencies, international organizations, corporations with sustainability programs, and startup ecosystems focused on social innovation.

Through the Career Guidance Workshop Series, UNY seeks to strengthen students’ career readiness by exposing them to diverse professional opportunities aligned with societal needs and global developments. The program reflects UNY’s commitment to preparing graduates who are not only career-ready but also capable of contributing meaningful impact to society.

This activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).