Pursuing a master’s degree often requires students to balance academic responsibilities, assignments, and various extracurricular activities. This is also true for Syifa Azzahra, a student in the Master of Agribusiness Management (MMA) Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Amid her busy academic schedule, Syifa has successfully developed her presence on social media and is now recognized as a content creator who collaborates with various brands.
Her journey began in June 2025 when she decided to become more consistent in creating content on TikTok. Initially, she simply enjoyed sharing stories and everyday experiences. Over time, however, what started as a hobby gradually opened up new opportunities.
Through TikTok Go and TikTok Affiliate, Syifa earned her first income from social media. Not long afterward, several brands approached her for collaborations, particularly for café and culinary review content.
“At first, I just wanted to be consistent. But over time, it grew into something bigger and opened many opportunities,” she said.
As her audience continued to grow, Syifa expanded her content creation activities to Instagram. According to her, TikTok and Instagram serve different purposes. TikTok helps her reach a broader audience, while Instagram allows her to build stronger connections with her followers.
Her interest in content creation stems from her passion for sharing experiences. Through her social media platforms, she regularly shares restaurant recommendations, interesting activities, and glimpses of her daily life as a master’s student. She also creates content related to fitness and healthy living, which have become important parts of her routine.
“I enjoy sharing my experiences. For me, content is a way to spread positive messages and encourage people to live healthier lives,” she explained.
Despite being active as a content creator, Syifa continues to prioritize her academic responsibilities. She uses her free time between classes and assignments to create content. On average, she uploads two to three pieces of content each week, depending on her academic schedule.
Notably, she manages the entire content creation process independently, from generating ideas and developing concepts to filming, editing, and publishing her content. Through this experience, she has gained valuable lessons in consistency, attention to detail, and self-management.
“Through this process, I have learned the importance of consistency, attention to detail, and maintaining content quality,” she said.
Like many content creators, Syifa also faces challenges, one of which is finding fresh content ideas. To overcome this, she regularly follows social media trends and engages in discussions with fellow content creators to gain inspiration and new perspectives.
For Syifa, the most meaningful outcome of this journey is not merely the opportunity to collaborate with brands, but also the personal growth she has experienced. She feels more confident, more expressive, and more aware of her own potential.
“The biggest impact has been on myself. I have become more confident and have gained a better understanding of who I am,” she shared.
Based on her experience, Syifa encourages fellow students not to hesitate to explore new opportunities that align with their interests and passions.
“Just start with something you enjoy. Being consistent is more important than waiting for everything to be perfect from the beginning,” she advised.
Syifa’s experience demonstrates that activities beyond the classroom can provide valuable opportunities for personal and professional development. Her story reflects the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the development of students’ skills and competencies, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the use of digital platforms to create economic opportunities and professional collaborations.