What is your favorite travel memory?
Oh... I can't have just one answer for this 😂 My first best travel memory is my dive trip in Raja Ampat. I saw a wobbegong shark for the first time in my life and swam with black-tip sharks at the Wayag dive site! My best second one was when I saw 4 whale sharks at Nucamolas, Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I have been working here for around a year, and I have been earning so much freedom in exploring research opportunities and doing community outreach to fellow local NGOs and the community. I am very honoured to be able to build collaboration with Indonesian government, universities, and other stakeholders to create change.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
We have some returning students who are so empowered to be a responsible researcher, learn how to collect data for marine conservation, and build databases to support further research. The students are really inspired to learn about scientific diving, understand the methods of delivering the research, learning how to collect and analyze the data we have gathered during the dives.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I recommend the divemaster conservation program because besides being a pro diver, you can also learn how to do scientific dives and add skills from other pro divers. Being able to dive responsibly, getting to know all marine creatures a little bit better, and contributing our diving skills to marine conservation feel so empowering!
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Our approach in the workplace is professional, but feels like family! Aside from our working culture, Gili Shark Conservation also offer unique holiday package that enables you to learn further about marine conservation and contribute directly in the project. Proud moment of the team: when the team can always find solutions when facing problem and give the intern all that they want to achieve during the program.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I believe one of the main driving factors in being a successful company is having trust in your team. We cannot work alone. if you want to go fast, go alone. if you want to go far, go together. Besides that, the team's well-being is also the key to ensuring that the company runs well (supportive company culture)!