A hospitality education can open doors to more than one career path. While many graduates pursue careers in hotels and resorts, others discover opportunities to apply their industry knowledge in different professional fields. The journey of Anjar Anggiatna, an alumnus of the Diploma III Hotel Management Program at Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata (STP) Bogor, is one such example.

Today, Anjar serves as the Vice Principal for Curriculum at SMK Darmawan, where he has been working as an educator since 2019. The skills and knowledge he developed during his studies have become valuable resources in his current role, allowing him to bring practical industry perspectives into the learning process.

During his studies at STP Bogor, Anjar completed internships at two hotels: Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta and InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar, both in the Pastry Department.

These experiences introduced him to the professional environment of hotel operations. For students specializing in pastry, industry placements provide opportunities to apply technical skills, understand workplace standards, and experience operational demands that cannot be fully learned through classroom instruction alone.

Practical training also helps students become familiar with professional expectations, develop technical competence, and understand the importance of discipline and responsibility. For Anjar, these experiences became part of the foundation that prepared him for the next stage of his career.

One notable part of Anjar’s journey is that he had already started working at a hotel in Bogor City before completing his studies.

This experience reflects how education and early professional exposure can go hand in hand. Students do not have to wait until graduation to begin understanding workplace responsibilities and building professional experience.

After graduating, Anjar returned to InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar, where he worked as a Daily Worker (DW) in the Pastry Department.

His experience demonstrates that practical training is more than an academic requirement. It can help students recognize their strengths, understand professional standards, and prepare for future career opportunities.

In 2019, Anjar began a new chapter as an educator at SMK Darmawan. He continues to work there today and has since taken on the responsibility of Vice Principal for Curriculum.

His transition from hotel operations to education represents an important development in his professional journey. The knowledge and skills he once applied in a hotel environment are now used to support student learning.

When reflecting on his career, Anjar emphasized the importance of his education at STP Bogor.

“The campus played a very important role because the competencies I gained during my studies became valuable resources that I could apply in teaching at vocational school.”

His experience highlights how the benefits of vocational education extend beyond graduation. Knowledge and practical skills can remain valuable even when graduates pursue careers different from their initial professional experience.

In his current role, Anjar can draw on his hospitality background to help students understand the importance of professional competencies and workplace readiness.

Anjar’s career journey illustrates the value of practical learning in hospitality education. What makes his journey particularly meaningful is that these competencies are no longer used solely in hotel operations. Anjar now brings them into the classroom, where he contributes to preparing the next generation of students for their own careers.

This is one of the lasting benefits of practice-based education: the skills students develop are not only useful for their first job, but can also become a foundation for long-term professional growth.

For students who are still pursuing their studies, Anjar encourages them to make the most of their time on campus by continuously learning and developing their abilities.

“Make the most of your time on campus to learn and sharpen your skills, because they will become valuable assets after graduation.”

His message is a reminder that college is an important period for building professional foundations. The skills students develop, the experiences they gain, and the commitment they bring to their learning can continue to benefit them long after graduation.

Every graduate’s journey will be different. However, the willingness to keep learning, improve oneself, and take advantage of available opportunities remains essential, whether entering the workforce or pursuing a new career direction.

For prospective students and parents, Anjar’s story demonstrates that hospitality education can lead to a variety of career opportunities. The competencies developed during college are not limited to hotel employment; they can also support professional growth in other fields, including education.

At STP Bogor, the learning process is part of preparing students for the professional world. Choosing a college is not simply about earning a degree; it is also about developing competencies that can support a career over the long term.

Ready to begin your journey in hospitality and tourism? Explore STP Bogor’s academic programs and discover opportunities to develop your skills through learning connected to industry practice.