As part of its ongoing commitment to enrich students’ learning experiences through inter-institutional collaboration, the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) is welcoming Dr. Sunawan, S.Pd., M.Si., Ph.D., a Postdoctoral Fellow from Semarang State University (UNNES), funded by WCU UNDIP from May 1 – December 31, 2025. This postdoctoral fellowship program, hosted by Prof. Dian Ratna Sawitri, Dean of the UNDIP Faculty of Psychology and Chair of the Center for Career, Education, and Capacity Development Studies (CAREERS), includes joint research, publications, and guest lectures.
The first guest lecture was held on the morning of May 6, 2025, for the course “Career Development Across the Lifespan,” with the topic “Theory of Work Adjustment and Its Implications for Adolescent and Adult Career Development.” In this lecture, Dr. Sunawan offered a comprehensive review of the theory developed by Dawis and Lofquist, which emphasizes the importance of congruence between the individual and the work environment. He explained that career success is determined not only by personal competencies, but also by the extent to which a person is able to adjust to job demands and derive satisfaction from their work environment.
The second guest lecture took place in the afternoon of the same day, where Dr. Sunawan continued his guest teaching in the course “Family Issues in the Workplace,” with the topic “Career Construction Theory (CCT) and Its Implications for Family and Career Adjustment.” In this session, he introduced the career construction theory developed by Mark Savickas, which views careers as the product of individuals’ active construction through their life narratives. This theory stresses that everyone has a unique story that illustrates how they interpret experiences, make decisions, and navigate career challenges.
Dr. Sunawan highlighted the importance of understanding life themes and career adaptability as two key components in building a balance between professional and family roles. He outlined that an individual’s ability to adapt to change—in both career and family life—is a crucial factor in achieving psychological well-being. Through a range of case examples and the latest research findings, Dr. Sunawan illustrated how family values and the meaning of career mutually influence the formation of identity and life satisfaction. He also encouraged students to discuss strategies for overcoming work-family conflict and the importance of communication and social support in maintaining harmony between the two. In her opening remarks, Prof. Sawitri conveyed that the presence of academic experts such as Dr. Sunawan is a tangible manifestation of the spirit of academic collaboration among psychology faculties in Central Java.
