From Sharia Student to Editor-in-Chief: Syukri Rahmatullah Shares His Career Journey
Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online – 22 years after finishing his education at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Syukri Rahmatullah returned to the academic halls that shaped him into who he is today. This time, Syukri's return to UIN Jakarta was not as a student wearing a graduation gown, but as an alumnus delivering a welcoming speech during the 141st Graduation Ceremony of UIN Jakarta, at the Harun Nasution Auditorium, Saturday (5/9/2026).
For Syukri, returning to campus marked a historical milestone. The alumnus of the Faculty of Sharia and Law who completed his studies in 2004 recalled his long journey from his student days to his career in journalism, culminating in his position as Editor-in-Chief at BeritaSatu.com. “Returning to this campus is a truly fascinating moment for me. Having graduated in this very place 22 years ago (March 2004), this is a historic milestone for me,” Syukri expressed.
Syukri's journey into journalism did not follow a linear path corresponding to his educational background. As a student of the Faculty of Sharia and Law majoring in Siyasah Syar'iyyah or Islamic Politics, Syukri was initially on an educational track closely aligned with law and politics. However, after graduating, his path led him to explore the world of journalism.
He referred to this journey as an experience of getting “lost” onto the right path. According to him, one cannot always predict where life will lead, making the courage to keep moving forward the most essential factor.
“I am an example of getting lost, but on the right track,” he said.
Before finding his path in journalism, Syukri navigated a dynamic university experience. He admitted to being active in various student movements to the point of worrying he might become a “perpetual student.” Nevertheless, he successfully completed his studies and graduated in March 2004.
After donning his graduation gown, Syukri experienced a period as an unemployed fresh graduate before eventually applying for jobs armed only with a graduation certificate and two published newspaper articles. He was subsequently accepted as a journalist, marking the beginning of his media career that eventually led to holding leadership roles across several national media outlets. Drawing from this experience, Syukri advised graduates not to fear starting from the bottom.
“Never be afraid to start from the bottom. Never be afraid to start from zero,” he emphasized. Syukri also advised students not to focus solely on academic pursuits, but to actively build experience, networks, and skills as preparation for entering the professional world. According to him, students need to actively engage in organizations, participate in various activities, and enrich their knowledge through seminars and other engagements. Furthermore, developing both soft skills and hard skills is essential to equip students so they do not have to start everything from scratch upon graduation.
Furthermore, Syukri expressed his hope that UIN Jakarta graduates would not stop at being job seekers. He encouraged them to become capable of creating job opportunities and adding value to society.
“I hope that the hundreds of students graduating today do not become merely job seekers, but job creators,” he stated.
In addition to competence and experience, Syukri views integrity as a vital asset in any professional journey. Throughout his journalism career, he shared his dedication to maintaining integrity while upholding the reputation of the alma mater that formed him. According to him, trust will naturally grow when an individual maintains integrity wherever they are.
22 years after leaving his university desk, Syukri continues to regard UIN Jakarta as an essential part of his life story. To him, the campus is not merely a place to earn a degree, but a space that tempers students through learning, discussion, organizational involvement, and navigating differing perspectives.
Now, as the 141st graduates prepare to leave campus and enter the broader world, Syukri entrusted them with a message to uphold their alma mater's good name and bring meaningful benefits to society.
“Alumni of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah must be useful to society across Indonesia,” he concluded.
Watch the complete proceedings of the 141st Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Graduation Ceremony on Sunday (06/08/2026) via UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta's official YouTube channel below: