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Coach and Mentor Barita Bram Enjoys the Ripple Effect of Sharing Skills and Knowledge
Whether he’s teaching digital skills to small businesses or mentoring future international students, Barita Bram Ardiwinata Putra, also known as Bram, believes that he grows as a professional by sharing knowledge with others.
In his hometown of Pontianak, Kalimantan, many small businesses possess the potential for expansion but lack the know-how. As an experienced software engineer, Bram is trying to be part of the solution by sharing his skills in business management and digitalisation.
‘I'm driven to make a meaningful contribution to my hometown in any way possible. Assisting small business owners is just one way,’ Bram expressed.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of business growth strategies, Bram resolved to pursue further education. After much hard work, he was awarded an Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Masters in Management at the University of Melbourne.
Living the International Study Dream in Melbourne
Bram was attracted to the university’s reputation for academic excellence, which was confirmed once he began his studies in 2019.
‘One thing that surprised me in my studies was how the Australian education system had a flat hierarchy,’ Bram reflected.
‘It meant there was no barrier to talking to professors. I remember they always said that there was no such thing as a stupid question. Whatever we didn’t understand during the class, even something as simple as understanding the questions, we could ask the lecturer to expand on, to explain it in another way, until we understood.’
All of the classes have helped Bram in his career, particularly managerial psychology, leadership, team dynamics, global corporate governance, and people and change.
‘Those subjects have influenced most of my career journey. When I’m working in the field, I apply the knowledge from those subjects to this very day,’ Bram shared.
One example Bram raised came when he was working as a tech lead in a multinational software company after his studies. At that time, Bram witnessed a large difference between 2 teams based in different countries. One of the teams produced lower quality work, failed to engage in discussions and ignored suggestions from the other team.
‘With my old mindset, I would suggest just making a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with stringent rules to improve the team's performance,’ Bram explained.
‘With knowledge from those courses, I dug into the root cause of the poor performance, laid out an improvement plan, and communicated the idea with my teammates. In the end, I could resolve the problem precisely.”
Throughout his masters degree, Bram acquired a deeper understanding of personality and values, team dynamics, diversity, communication, and negotiation – all invaluable skills that continue to help him in resolving complex issues.
Learning and Growing Through Community Service
While at university, Bram actively engaged in various activities to expand his network and immerse himself in the local culture.
In 2019, he served as the Student Ambassador for Melbourne Business School. In this role, Bram shared his experiences as an international student transitioning to university life and provided insights to attendees at the school's open day.
‘Becoming a Student Ambassador was a gratifying experience. It allowed me to grow my network and improve my communication skills by interacting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds,’ Bram shared.
Bram also proudly promoted his Indonesian heritage as an Indonesian Language Learning Ambassador at Catherine McAuley College in Bendigo, Victoria. He collaborated with Australian teachers to deliver Indonesian language classes, share cultural insights, and even participate in memorable activities like an Indonesian-themed lunch prepared by students.
Additionally, Bram volunteered with Robogals Melbourne, an organisation inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers. He used his programming skills to introduce robotics to female students, encouraging them to explore opportunities in science and technology.
His involvement in these meaningful activities, both on and off campus, culminated in him receiving the Leaders in Communities Award from the University of Melbourne.
‘Through all these experiences, I not only developed new skills but also discovered a sense of purpose in connecting with people, sharing knowledge, and inspiring others to dream bigger,” Bram shared.
Coaching Young People to Achieve Their Dreams
During his studies, Bram crossed paths with fellow Australia Awards scholars, Siti Mahdaria, Annirrahmah, and Titus Angga. United by shared interests and a common vision, they established a social enterprise known as Coach Potato[1].
The initiative offers coaching, mentoring, and workshops to help young people reach their goals. Support may include mentoring for IELTS preparation, essay proofreading or personalised consultations.
‘We aim to inspire more young people to explore studying abroad and unlock their full potential to achieve their dreams,’ Bram said.
In 2023, Bram successfully assisted 3 students to secure scholarships. One received a scholarship from the Indonesia Endowment Funds for Education (LPDP) to attend Monash University, another secured an Erasmus+ scholarship in Europe, and the third earned the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) scholarship to study in Canada.
‘My main challenge is guiding and understanding their visions and aspirations. These students are still young and eager to pursue many things. My role is to help them channel their focus and reach their goals,’ Bram explained.
Looking ahead, Bram’s goal is to continue to build his expertise in the field of computing. Currently, he works as a software engineer for one of the largest e-commerce companies in the Netherlands and is relocating there with his family. Eventually, he hopes to take on a more challenging role, such as the Lead Engineer or Head of Engineering.
Even with his busy schedule, Bram continues to actively participate in Coach Potato. His commitment reflects his dedication to supporting the younger generation across Indonesia.
‘I'm grateful that I was able to effectively manage my time and schedule when I was studying in Australia. It provided me with many eye-opening moments, one of which was the inception of Coach Potato. I wanted to make a more substantial contribution to society, and this is the way I chose to do it,’ Bram proudly shared.
‘I’ve learned that empowering others not only helps them grow but also pushes me to grow as a mentor and professional. It’s deeply rewarding to see the ripple effects of knowledge and support.’
[1] https://www.instagram.com/coachpotato.id/?hl=en
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