Ester Hotmaria, a graduate from the Department of Geophysical Engineering ITS who successfully graduated as the youngest graduate at the age of 20 at the 130th ITS Graduation event

ITS Campus, ITS News — Young age, 20 years and 4 months, is not an obstacle for Ester Hotmaria to successfully graduate and eventually become the youngest graduate at the 130th Graduation Ceremony of the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). The student who graduated from the Department of Geophysical Engineering from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Planning, and Earth (FTSPK) ITS successfully passed the lecture period in exactly eight semesters and will be graduated on Saturday (21/9).

Telling her journey in gaining education, this girl who was born in Surabaya, May 28, 2004, took her first steps at SD Hang Tuah 10 Juanda right after graduating from Kindergarten (TK) at the age of 6. The state school regulation at that time, which required prospective students to be at least 7 years old or older, initially hindered Ester. “That’s why I chose a private school so that I could enter elementary school at the age of 6,” she said.

Furthermore, Ester revealed that she was ambitious to be able to graduate quickly because she did not want to burden her parents who were approaching retirement age. Her ambition shone when she participated in an acceleration program during her junior high and high school years. “That choice managed to cut two years of my education,” continued the youngest of two siblings.

After graduating from SMA Negeri 1 Sidoarjo when she was still 16 years old, Ester felt that she had a passion for the oil and mining sector. Her interest became the driving force for this girl from Sidoarjo to continue her education at this Campus of Heroes. “This is where I found friends who support me to continue to grow,” admitted the 2020 student.

Ester Hotmaria (fifth from left) during the award ceremony of the 2022 Derrick Geothermal Case Study Competition by the Akamigas Energy and Mineral Polytechnic, Cepu

Thanks to the supportive environment, Ester felt comfortable and did not experience any significant obstacles, despite being younger than her peers. In fact, Ester felt that the world of college had a learning intensity rate that was not as fast as when she was still in the acceleration program. “That’s why I fill my free time by participating in various non-academic activities,” explained the daughter of Hasoloan Samosir and Tiurma Theresia L Tobing.

The girl who loves traveling said the reason she started non-academic activities was because she did not want to be a student with minimal experience during her studies. After joining the ITS Christian Student Fellowship (PMK), Ester also joined the Society of Exploration Geophysicists ITS Student Chapter. “Here I had the opportunity to meet many people who are studying the same field as me,” she explained.

Trying to hone her competitive spirit, Ester had tested her competence several times in various competitions. One of her best achievements was when she managed to get the 1st Highest Score predicate in the 2022 Derrick Geothermal Case Study Competition. “Although it is not optimal, I am grateful to be able to achieve,” said Ester gratefully.

Ester Hotmaria (left) when receiving the award for 1st Highest Score in the 2022 Derrick Geothermal Case Study Competition by the Akamigas Energy and Mineral Polytechnic, Cepu

In addition, this music-loving student also improved her internationalization skills in various ways, one of which was when she had the opportunity to present material related to landslides to students from Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), Philippines. It didn’t stop there, Ester also participated in the ITS CommTECH Exploration activity and had the opportunity to work on a project with several ITS students and students from the Land of the Rising Sun.

The twists and turns of life during college are meaningful to Ester, because in every process she believes that God is always with her. Every obstacle that exists, Ester will always face it and solve it little by little so that everything feels light. “We must not give up and must be confident in the competence that we have,” she said encouragingly. (ITS PR)

Reporter: Mohammad Febryan Khamim