Beyond #KaburAjaDulu : Unveiling career adaptability in the real stories of Indonesian migrant workers
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Sildi Mega Puspa(1*)
Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, University of Garut
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Soviyan Munawar(2)
Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, University of Garut
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Imas Purnamasari(3)
Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, University of Garut
(*) Corresponding Author
Keywords:
Career Adaptability, Indonesian Migrant Workers, #KaburAjaDulu
Abstract
This study aims to describe the meaning of the career adaptability experience of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) abroad and to identify the experiences and strategies that can serve as lessons for the younger generation considering overseas employment amid the #KaburAjaDulu phenomenon. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used, involving five PMI working in South Korea, Japan, Germany, Australia, and the United States, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, documentation, and literature review, and analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The findings show that career adaptability is influenced by the ability to adjust to job demands, environmental support, prior experiences, and coping strategies. This study concludes that working abroad for a better economic life requires psychosocial readiness, language proficiency, cultural understanding, and careful planning.
Keywords: Career Adaptability; Indonesian Migrant Workers; #KaburAjaDulu
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References
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Putri, A. A., & Ronauli, P. T. (2024). Gambaran Career Adaptability pada Karyawan di Jabodetabek. Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi MANASA, 13(1), 70–80.
Rahim, U. A., & Bayu, M. (2025). Interaksi Virtual dan Keterikatan Emosional di TikTok: Studi Kasus Fenomena Viral Tagar #KaburAjaDulu. Jurnal Komunikasi, 11, 212–219.
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Rudolph, C. W., & Lavigne, K. N. (2016). Career Adabtability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 1(314), 1–49.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001879116300604?via%3Dihub
Savickas, M. L. (2022). Career Construction Theory and Counseling Model. In Career Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work (pp. 165–199).
Savickas, M. L., & Porfeli, E. J. (2012). Career Adapt-Abilities Scale: Construction, Reliability, and Measurement Equivalence Across 13 Countries. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(3), 661–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.011
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Wang, D., & Li, Y. (2024). Career construction theory : tools , interventions , and future trends. (April), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1381233
Wikantiyoso, B., & Handayani, F. (2025). Career Adaptability of Recent Graduates in The Modern Workplace: The Roles of Self-Efficacy and Social Support. GUIDENA: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, Psikologi, Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 15(1), 153–161.
Yulianti, D., Girhan, G., Aprilia, H., Unsayain, H., & Wijayanti, I. (2024). Strategi Reintegrasi Pekerja Migran Indonesia di Lombok: Proses Adaptasi Pasca Kepulangan ke Wilayah Asal. JISHUM Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 3(2), 337–348. https://doi.org/10.57248/jishum.v3i2.535
Akay, A. Z., Tangkere, I. A., & Wewengkang, F. S. (2024). Perlindungan hukum terhadap pekerja migran Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmiah, 13(4).
Andini, F. A., Josephine, A., & Riasnugrahani, M. (2025). Family Influence and Career Adaptability: The Mediating Role of Future Time Perspective. Personifikasi: Jurnal Ilmu Psikologi, 16(1), 70–85. https://doi.org/10.21107/personifikasi.v16i1.25655
Ardianti, R., Monique, P. Y., Eka, A. R., Saharuddin, S. H., & Latifa, H. (2025). #KaburAjaDulu: Affective Digital Activism among Indonesian Youth in Response to Societal and Structural Crises. Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Dan Pendidikan, 5(2), 137–151.
Arianto, B., & Handayani, B. (2022). Populasi dan Sampel Penelitian Kualitatif dalam Konteks Sosial Humaniora. 251.
Asngari, S. (2026). Pengembangan Instrumen Penelitian Kualitatif (Wawancara, Observasi, Dokumentasi) dan Kuantitatif (Kuesioner/Skala) Serta Uji Ahli.
Asok Kumar, D., Lau, P. L., Chua, K. H., Voon, S. P., & Lo, Y. Y. (2024). Career Adaptability Across Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review. SAGE Open, 14(4), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241289737
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, Acculturation, Adaptation. 46(1).
Budi, D. (2023). Optimization of the Role of Village Governments in Protecting Indonesian Migrant Workers. Jurnal Pemerintahan, 12, 81–95.
Fahmi, I. (2025). Analisis Percakapan Tagar #KaburAjaDulu yang Viral. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/analisis-percakapan-tagar-kaburajadulu-yang-viral/275519004
Farashah, A. (2025). The impact of workplace diversity climate on the career satisfaction of skilled migrant employees. 218–234. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12635
Fiantika, F. R., & Dkk. (2022). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. In Rake Sarasin. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=O-B3eJYAAAAJ&hl=en
Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1985). If It Changes It Must Be a Process: Study of Emotion and Coping During Three Stages of a College Examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48(1), 150–170. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.48.1.150
Haenggli, M., & Hirschi, A. (2023). Career adaptability.
Himam, M. K., & Nasrullah, S. A. (2026). Teknik Pemilihan Informan dalam Penelitian Kualitatif: Strategi dan Implementasi. Jurnal Ilmiah, 5(2), 1688–1696.
Hirschi, A., Herrmann, A., & Keller, A. C. (2015). Career adaptivity, adaptability, and adapting: A conceptual and empirical investigation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 87, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2014.11.008
ILO. (2016). Panduan Pekerja Migran Indonesia: Buku Saku. International Labour Organization.
Koswara, A., & Herlina, L. (2025). #KaburAjaDulu: Analisis Fenomena Media Sosial sebagai Ekspresi Kekecewaan Masyarakat terhadap Kondisi Ekonomi, Sosial, dan Keadilan di Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmu Politik Dan Studi Sosial Terapan, 4(1), 97–100.
Koswara, A., Herlina, L., & Manajemen, M. (2025). #KaburAjaDulu: Analisis Fenomena Media Sosial sebagai Ekspresi Kekecewaan Masyarakat terhadap Kondisi Ekonomi, Sosial, dan Keadilan di Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmu Politik Dan Studi Sosial Terapan, 4(1), 97–100.
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal, and Coping.
https://books.google.co.id/books?id=iySQQuUpr8C&printsec=copyright&hl=id#v=onepage&q&f=false
Little, B. R. (2014). Me, Myself, and Us: The Science of Personality and the Art of Well-Being. Public Affairs.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis A Methods Sourcebook.
Mulyadi, D., Rustandi, T., & Suadma, U. (2025). The Impact of Migrant Worker Inclusion on Psychological Well-Being, Work Stress, and Psychological Adaptation: Implications for the Competitiveness of Indonesian Migrant Workers. Jurnal Manajemen, 18(1), 729–745.
Mulyana, A. P., & Djamzuri, M. I. (2025). Netnografi Hashtag #KaburAjaDulu: Interaksi dan Konstruksi Makna dalam Media Baru. Jurnal Komunikasi, 5, 1485–1495.
Nasir, A., Nurjana, Shah, K., Sirodj, R. A., & Afgani, M. W. (2023). Pendekatan Fenomenologi dalam Penelitian Kualitatif. INNOVATIVE: Journal of Social Science Research, 3(5), 4445–4451.
Nasir, S. A. (2025). Human Capital Transformation in Global Migration: Insight from the Lived Experience of Indonesian Workers in Taiwan. Journal of Studies in Academic, Humanities, Research, and Innovation, 2(2), 272–281.
https://doi.org/10.71305/sahri.v2i2.922
Nazwa Wardina, K., Puspita, A. D., Siregar, N. M. S., & Dewi, E. P. (2025). Analisis Permasalahan Ketenagakerjaan dan Pengangguran di Indonesia. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 3(2), 462–469.
Noviadana, H., Utami, T. K., & Mulyana, A. (2025). Peran Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia Dalam Melindungi Hak-Hak Pekerja Migran Yang Menjadi Korban Eksploitasi dan Diskriminasi di Tempat Kerja. 2(3), 1–13.
Pahlawatiningrum, I., & Wardhani, N. K. (2025). The Influence of Career Adaptability, Resilience and Proactive Career Behavior on Career Sustainability Following a Merger in The Indonesian Aviation Sector. Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 4(9), 4287–4306.
https://npaformosapublisher.org/index.php/fjmr/article/view/470
Peralta, E. P., Ancho, I., & Pelegrina, D. (2024). Migration Theories and Development : A Focus on Push & Pull Factors of Filipino Migrants. 21(1), 169–188.
Putri, A. A., & Ronauli, P. T. (2024). Gambaran Career Adaptability pada Karyawan di Jabodetabek. Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi MANASA, 13(1), 70–80.
Rahim, U. A., & Bayu, M. (2025). Interaksi Virtual dan Keterikatan Emosional di TikTok: Studi Kasus Fenomena Viral Tagar #KaburAjaDulu. Jurnal Komunikasi, 11, 212–219.
Rozhkov, D., Koczan, Z., Peri, G., & Pinat, M. (2021). The Impact of International Migration on Inclusive Growth : A Review.
Rudolph, C. W., & Lavigne, K. N. (2016). Career Adabtability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 1(314), 1–49.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001879116300604?via%3Dihub
Savickas, M. L. (2022). Career Construction Theory and Counseling Model. In Career Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work (pp. 165–199).
Savickas, M. L., & Porfeli, E. J. (2012). Career Adapt-Abilities Scale: Construction, Reliability, and Measurement Equivalence Across 13 Countries. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(3), 661–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.011
Syifa, H. D., Ridhwan, M. A., Wulandari, T., & Alfarizi, S. G. (2026). Respons tagar # KaburAjaDulu pada kolom komentar postingan akun Instagram @ Ariefnaikkelas Respons tagar # KaburAjaDulu pada kolom komentar postingan akun Instagram @ Ariefnaikkelas. 6(3). https://doi.org/10.17977/um064v6i32026p357-368
Tolokende, G. J., & Idris, N. I. (2025). “ Kabur Aja Dulu ” dan Identitas Global Gen Z : Analisis Konstruktivis dalam Hubungan Internasional. Harmoni: Jurnal Komunikasi Dan Sosial, 3.
Wang, D., & Li, Y. (2024). Career construction theory : tools , interventions , and future trends. (April), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1381233
Wikantiyoso, B., & Handayani, F. (2025). Career Adaptability of Recent Graduates in The Modern Workplace: The Roles of Self-Efficacy and Social Support. GUIDENA: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, Psikologi, Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 15(1), 153–161.
Yulianti, D., Girhan, G., Aprilia, H., Unsayain, H., & Wijayanti, I. (2024). Strategi Reintegrasi Pekerja Migran Indonesia di Lombok: Proses Adaptasi Pasca Kepulangan ke Wilayah Asal. JISHUM Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora, 3(2), 337–348. https://doi.org/10.57248/jishum.v3i2.535
Published
2026-11-04
How to Cite
Puspa, S., Munawar, S., & Purnamasari, I. (2026). Beyond #KaburAjaDulu : Unveiling career adaptability in the real stories of Indonesian migrant workers. Journal of Management : Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 19(3), 2273-2289. https://doi.org/10.35508/jom.v19i3.30031
Section
Articles
