Febrina Kusumawati is a UNAIR alumnus who successfully became a civil servant of the Surabaya City Government. Her work in the world of urban development planning (Bappeko) cannot be doubted. Her career in city government developed in such a way. Starting from being a Bappeko staff to becoming the head of Bappeko Surabaya City, she managed to do it well.

Although Febrina can be said to be very reliable in the world of urban development planning, she is not a graduate of planetology engineering. She is an alumnus of the Mathematics department, having graduated from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) in 2001 or what was then known as the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA). Febrina admitted that she majored in Mathematics because it was her favourite subject in high school.

In her university life, Febrina was not a very active student in campus organizations, only participating in student association activities. The woman who was born in Surabaya on February 11, 1976, spends her time as a private teacher and tutor. It is not without reason that she spends time outside of class hours to become a private teacher. This is because Febrina wants to help her family's economy.

"I have to find additional income for my younger brother's school fees. I myself received a scholarship from the Surabaya city government to be able to complete my undergraduate studies at FMIPA until I graduated," recalls Febrina.

Becoming a civil servant from scratch after university 

The economic limitations that Febrina experienced did not make her discouraged and silent. In 2001, when she graduated, she tried to join the recruitment of civil servant candidates, and she managed to qualify to become a civil servant. In her career development, in the same year, Febrina was immediately placed as a staff of Bappeko Surabaya. Then she moved to the Surabaya Communication and Information Agency (Dinkominfo). In 2007, after exactly 5 years as a staff, she was reassigned to become Bappeko staff.

In 2009, she won the trust to become the Head of Bappeko. In 2017, her duties increased by became Head of Subbid Kesra Bappeko. Not only that, in 2019, Febrina had the opportunity to become the secretary of Bapekko until now. And in 2021, coinciding in March, she received the mandate to become the head of the PLT Bappeko Surabaya, replacing Eri Cahyadi, who is currently the Mayor of Surabaya.

Apart from being part of the Surabaya city government, Febrina also continues to be a private teacher and tutor at Sony Sugema College. However, in 2017 she chose to quit due to her duties. However, Febrina is still willing to be a private tutor informally.

Think Logically and Keep Learning 

Throughout her career, Febrina has adhered to the principle of logical thinking in making decisions. Strategy is the key to getting the stages of thought that can facilitate her work without being convoluted.

"I can only do how can the people of Surabaya become prosperous? How do we plan the budget? How do we pay attention to people's needs by writing the budget? just like that," said Febrina.

For Febrina, being part of the Surabaya city government is not easy. The scope of government work provides its own lessons for her. Meeting with many parties from the central and provincial governments as well as the DPRD, makes her continue to learn, and there are opportunities to exchange ideas.

"At the very least, being close to the government, communicating with the highest policy makers (Mayor, ed) as Secretary is an experience in itself. That I can contribute to Surabaya," she said.

It is undeniable that every job has risks. Febrina felt the same way. The existence of risk does not make her give up but rather sharpens her concept of thinking and point of view.

"Being scolded by the leadership like any model is common. For me it is a forging, becoming myself with my ability to continue learning," she concluded.

Source : The Footprints of Airlanggas's Knights Edition V