Push Your Limit! The Story of Denistira, ITK 2012 Alumnus Building a Career in the Mining Industry 

“Don’t rush to chase a big salary. Focus on gaining experience first. Always give your best, push your limit. In the end, your hard work will bring the paycheck.”

That’s the message from Denistira Fazlur Rahman, a 2012 Chemical Engineering graduate from ITK (Institut Teknologi Kalimantan), who is now working as a Process Engineer at Freeport Indonesia, one of the largest mining companies in the world. But before reaching this point, Denistira’s journey was not as smooth as the gleaming copper he helps oversee daily.

Starting from Scratch, Building Mental Toughness

Denistira was part of ITK’s first-ever Chemical Engineering class. At that time, there were no fancy buildings, lab facilities were very limited, and there were plenty of technical issues in the learning process. But it was precisely those challenges that shaped his resilience.

“Those limitations made me tougher. In this industry, having that kind of fighting spirit is super important.”

Studying at ITK wasn’t just about chemical theories or reaction formulas. For Denis, it was life training. It wasn’t just about mastering the material, but also about adapting, persevering, and thinking critically under tough conditions.

Studying Chemical Engineering, Working in Metallurgy?

Although Denistira now works in metallurgy, which is technically a bit different from chemical engineering, he still finds his education highly relevant.

“For me, college was about building a way of thinking. That’s the most useful skill in the industry. It’s not about memorizing formulas, but how to solve problems.”

In his current role, Denis is responsible for ensuring production processes meet targets, conducting technical evaluations, and continuously driving improvements at the plant.

Organizations = Life School

One thing Denis is most grateful for from his time at ITK wasn’t just the classes, but his organizational experience—particularly when he served as the head of the new student orientation program for Chemical Engineering.

“That was a major turning point for me. I learned leadership, how to make decisions under pressure, and how to manage my time effectively. Those skills are incredibly valuable now.”

Leadership, critical thinking, time management, and other non-academic abilities have become key foundations in his professional life.

Tips for ITK Students: Don’t Be Afraid to Start from the Bottom

“The first three to five years are your time to gain as much experience as possible. Don’t worry about a high salary or fancy companies right away. Focus on building your skills and capacity. If you're consistent and work hard, the results will follow.”

A career is a marathon, not a sprint. What matters is not where you start, but how far you can go and grow.
 
So, for those currently studying at ITK and maybe feeling like the path is tough—believe this: every part of the process is strengthening you from within. Because from this humble campus, great people are born. One of them is Denistira.