Brave Enough to Begin: Stories from Indonesian Youth
- UNDP Asia Pacific Youth
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 13
Behind every young person is a story of trying, learning, and starting again — sometimes with doubt, but always with hope. These stories from the Skill Our Future community reflect the quiet courage it takes to grow, especially when the path ahead feels uncertain. With support from mentors, practical tools, and a strong peer network, from Indonesia, Halida and Ridho found their way forward, and now they’re helping others do the same.
EmpowerU was the first door I was brave enough to open
Halida Ainun, a final-year Environmental Engineering student from Indonesia, knows what it means to restart — and to start late but strong.
Growing up, she was inspired by her father's stories of B.J. Habibie, Indonesia’s third president and a national icon of engineering and innovation. That early spark, combined with her love for physics and drawing in high school, shaped her dream of becoming an engineer. But the path wasn’t all smooth.
“I managed to get into the programme I wanted, but I failed to get into my dream university, which left me feeling down,” Halida shared. That disappointment made her lose momentum. She moved through the early years of university unsure of her direction, trying things without purpose, and holding herself back from opportunities like internships because she didn’t feel “good enough.”
“I wasn’t from a prestigious university,” she said. “It took me about two years to realise I couldn’t stay stuck at that point forever.”
Everything changed when she joined the EmpowerU Incubation Programme, part of UNDP’s Skill Our Future initiative supported by Microsoft and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Having previously participated in activities like the Movers Academy, Halida already knew the value of community-driven learning. And this time, she was ready to take it further.
Through the Skill Our Future digital platform, Halida accessed curated learning modules on topics like CV writing, job interviews, and personal branding. “The mentoring sessions were what helped me the most,” she said. “Kak Hanum from UNDP reminded me: ‘If we don’t try, we won’t go anywhere.’ She made me believe that no journey is ever too late, and everyone has their own timeline.”
During the programme, participants tackled a real-world business case on artificial intelligence to build their digital literacy and teamwork under pressure. Halida’s group not only completed the challenge, but also won the Best Team Award.
“Looking back, I realise that had I not taken that step, I might have remained confined in the same space for much longer,” she reflected. “The programme gave me clarity and the confidence to begin envisioning the kind of impact I hope to make.”
Now, Halida is co-developing a youth-led environmental project, while also preparing to launch a new initiative focused on empowering first- to third-year university students with the skills and confidence to map out their career journeys.
"If my past self could see me now, I am sure he would be proud of how far I have come."
Ridho Pardosi grew up in a modest family in Indonesia, where learning and curiosity were always encouraged. As he explored his interests, he gravitated toward technology and research, fascinated by how innovation could be used to solve real-world problems. But turning that curiosity into career confidence wasn’t always easy.
"Before joining Skill Our Future, I faced challenges in developing skills relevant to industry and social work. There was a gap between the theory I learned and the practical needs in the field, which often made me feel less confident, especially in a competitive environment."
That gap pushed him to look for something more—a space that could bridge knowledge with application, theory with tools. Through social media and his community, he discovered Skill Our Future. What caught his attention was its promise of practical training, mentorship, and access to a professional network. Despite initial doubts about keeping up, he joined with a clear goal: “to gain new insights, network with professionals, and improve my job readiness.”
From day one, the journey was transformative. Actively participating in an EmpowerU, he quickly learned from peers and mentors, "It provides in-depth insights on job readiness, personal branding, effective communication, and building professional networks."
Beyond the courses and learning sessions, Ridho credits the mentoring sessions for giving him the kind of real-time feedback that made the learning stick. "One of the most valuable experiences is understanding the importance of a growth mindset and readiness to continue learning in the face of changes in the world of work."
He didn’t just keep what he learned to himself. Applying tips from the personal branding sessions, Ridho revamped his LinkedIn presence and saw a ripple effect: "I started getting more networking and collaboration opportunities. The communication skills I learned also helped me in interviews and presentations, and supported me in conducting LinkedIn reviews for others that directly impacted their job opportunities."
That one decision to join Skill Our Future has changed his trajectory. Now, Ridho’s not only more confident in shaping his own career, but also giving back. He contributes as a mentor in internship preparation bootcamps, and actively shares his knowledge to support others navigating similar paths.
"This program not only helped me professionally, but also gave me the courage to share my knowledge and support others."
To those who might still be doubting themselves, unsure of where to start, Ridho says:
"Don't be afraid to take the first step. Learning and growing is a process, and it's okay if the journey isn't always smooth. Keep looking for opportunities, utilize the resources at hand, and trust that every skill you learn will bring you closer to your goal."
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