In the spirit of strengthening global academic networks and enriching students’ learning with cross-cultural perspectives, the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) is organizing a series of international academic activities with Dr. Sujin Kim, International Postdoctoral Research Fellow from James Cook University (JCU), Australia, from August 1 to December 31, 2025, hosted by Prof. Dian Ratna Sawitri, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Psychology UNDIP and Head of the Center for Career, Education, and Capacity Development Studies (CAREERS). Within this period, from August 23–31, 2025, Dr. Sujin Kim will be present at the Faculty of Psychology UNDIP.
This visit covers several strategic agendas, ranging from international guest lectures, collaborative research discussions, to plans for joint research and publication between UNDIP and JCU. This collaboration is part of the Faculty of Psychology UNDIP’s commitment to expanding academic networks and opening opportunities for cross-country collaborative research and scientific publication relevant to career challenges in the global era.
During the visit, Dr. Sujin Kim is invited as the keynote speaker in two international lecture sessions. On August 25, 2025, she will participate in the Self and Career Development course, with the topic “Sustainable Careers: A Contemporary Perspective.” In this session, Dr. Kim encourages students to view careers as an ongoing process that is not solely focused on individual achievement, but also on long-term well-being, social sustainability, and life balance. She emphasizes the importance of building a career founded on personal values, self-reflection, and a lifelong learning orientation. According to her, amid global changes and technological advances, individuals need to possess psychological flexibility and career adaptability to navigate uncertainty and create meaningful careers. The session is conducted interactively, with students discussing personal experiences, career aspirations, and strategies for facing the ever-evolving world of work.
The following day, on August 26, 2025, Dr. Kim returns to deliver a lecture in the Career Psychology course with the theme “Career Compass: From Protean Paths to Sustainable Success.” She introduces the concept of the Protean Career—namely, a career driven by personal values and purpose, rather than merely organizational structures. In this context, success is no longer measured only by position or income, but by meaning, continuous learning, and psychological well-being.
Through cross-cultural empirical research, Dr. Kim demonstrates how self-directed career behavior and career adaptability are key factors in individual well-being across various work contexts, including Asia and Australia. Students are highly enthusiastic about the sessions, with many expressing that these activities have helped them view careers from a broader, more reflective, and sustainable perspective.
