INSIGHT HARBOR - Sunardi began his professional journey in 1989 at Sinar Jaya Abadi, a private garment company specializing in women’s underwear. From the outset, he set personal five-year goals, mapping out his professional path with clarity and purpose—and he met every target he set.
In his first five years, Sunardi became a trusted operator whose work ethic and productivity stood out. So reliable was he that the company exempted him from working in shifts. By his second five-year stretch, he was promoted to foreman, leading a team of around 20 workers. He continued to rise through the ranks: first to supervisor, overseeing multiple foremen, and later to head of department, managing entire production divisions.
Seeing changes on the horizon—particularly the shift of factories from Greater Jakarta to areas with lower labor costs—Sunardi made a bold decision to pursue higher education. He enrolled in a bachelor's degree in education, although he later realized that a management degree might have aligned better with his experience. Nevertheless, his sights were already set further ahead.
Understanding the fierce competition among younger graduates, Sunardi went on to earn a master's degree in social sciences from Universitas Indraprasta to pursue his long-term goal of becoming a lecturer. He consulted with a university official who emphasized the importance of academic “linearity”—ensuring his graduate studies matched his undergraduate field—to build a strong foundation for teaching in higher education.
While working at Sinar Jaya Abadi, Sunardi also served as the Head of the Workers' Union, representing more than 3,000 employees. In this role, he mediated between the company and the workforce, negotiated wages, and helped develop collective labor agreements. He often visited other regions, such as Batam, to study labor practices and brought insights back to strengthen negotiations.
Eventually, the company relocated out of Greater Jakarta, just as Sunardi had predicted years earlier. Confident in his academic credentials, he chose not to follow. Despite having no prior experience teaching at elementary, middle, or high school levels, he applied for a lecturer position—trusting in his communication skills and extensive organizational experience.
In 2015, only two days after receiving his master's degree, Sunardi was offered a permanent lecturer position. Although he briefly returned to the garment industry in 2014 as a manager for a foreign-owned company, he quickly realized his heart belonged in education. He left the high-paying job—worth around 15 to 20 million rupiah a month—for a more modest salary of 5 million rupiah in academia.
“I left 15 million for 5 million,” he said with conviction, “because knowledge, when shared, is not just for this world—but for the hereafter as well.” To him, being an educator held deeper, spiritual meaning.
Since then, Sunardi has authored eight books, including titles on geography and entrepreneurship. His remarkable journey—from factory worker to faculty member—stands as a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and a belief that it's never too late to change your path.
