University Replaces Career Counseling With ‘How to Marry Into Power’ Seminar
Indonesia’s universities now teach “How to Marry Into Power.” Students learn wedding strategy, small talk, and family politics.
JAKARTA — Indonesia’s top universities have begun phasing out conventional career counseling services and replacing them with a new flagship seminar: “How to Marry Into Power.”
The program, which has already been piloted at Universitas Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University, is being hailed by administrators as “a practical, skills-based approach to career advancement in today’s hyper-networked ecosystem.”
“Look, we love the idea of meritocracy,” said Dr. Ratna Wulandari, Director of Career Services at UI, “but let’s be honest. Most hiring decisions are made over dinner, not résumés. It’s time our curriculum reflected that.”
The seminar replaces outdated career modules like “Crafting a Winning CV” and “Acing the Interview” with more locally-relevant sessions, such as:
‘Wedding Speech Strategy: Planting the Seed Without Looking Desperate’
‘How to Casually Mention You’re Single at a Family Event’
‘Table Assignments: Targeting the High-Net-Worth Cousins’
Students are also taught surname recognition. “If you can’t tell a Purnomo from a Panigoro at first glance, you’re basically unemployed,” said session lead facilitator Ferry Darmawan, who described his own career as “a direct result of my cousin’s engagement party.”
The university cites recent job market data showing that 87% of students with strong political or business affiliations via marriage were employed within 60 days of graduation, compared to 12% for students who applied “organically.”
One slide from the course’s internal deck reads:
“GPA: 3.9 = Management Trainee
Married to DPR member’s niece = Commissioner”
The seminar also includes interactive simulations. In one, students are given a mock wedding guest list and challenged to strategically “bump into” a future minister during the dessert course. In another, they’re judged on their ability to look effortlessly charming while discussing market volatility with a prospective father-in-law.
There is even a capstone project: Students must write a 1-minute impromptu toast that subtly communicates both emotional maturity and alignment with the prospective family’s BUMN interests.
Officials have voiced cautious support. “This is not about undermining hard work,” said one spokesperson. “It’s about recognising that in Indonesia, power flows through bloodlines, and balik kampung rituals. We are simply creating pathways for students to integrate into that system responsibly.”
Private sector actors are also taking note. One HR head at a Jakarta-based conglomerate said the seminar will help “weed out idealists early” and “cut down on unnecessary application processing.”
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