A Reflection on the International Webinar — September 19, 2026
I never imagined that my journey in the power generation industry would one day lead me to speak about something beyond boilers, turbines, DCS, commissioning, and power plant operations: foreign languages and global career opportunities.
On September 19, 2026, I had the opportunity to share my experience in an international webinar titled “Mastering Foreign Languages for Global Career Opportunities.”
The webinar was a meaningful experience for me, not because I consider myself a language expert, but precisely because I spoke from the perspective of a technical professional who learned foreign languages out of real necessity in the workplace.
I shared the session with Mr. Abdurrahman Ahmad, an Indonesian professional working as a Document Controller in Saudi Arabia. Although our career journeys have been different, we shared one common message:
“A foreign language is not only about communication. It can become a bridge to people, knowledge, technology, and opportunity.”
It All Started with Necessity
My journey of learning foreign languages did not begin in a perfect classroom environment.
English was one of the first foreign languages I realized was important when I entered the professional world. I still remember how limited communication skills once became a challenge during job interviews and when communicating in the workplace.
Later, my career brought me into projects where I worked closely with engineers and professionals from China. That was when I began to understand that language was not simply an academic subject.
Language was a working tool.
When I realized that not all of my colleagues were comfortable communicating in English, I started learning Mandarin.
It began with simple words related to daily work.
Little by little, those words developed into conversations, technical discussions, work coordination, and eventually the ability to help bridge communication during meetings and project activities.
More recently, I have also started learning Arabic. I am still very much a learner, but for me, it is part of the same journey: continuously expanding my ability to communicate with a wider world.
Your Next Opportunity May Speak Another Language
One of the key messages I shared during the webinar was: “Your next opportunity may speak another language.”
We never know where our next opportunity may come from.
It may come from a national company.
A multinational organization.
China.
The Middle East.
Southeast Asia.
Australia.
Or somewhere we have never considered before.
In an increasingly connected professional world, foreign language skills can significantly expand the space in which we communicate, collaborate, and build relationships.
Language connects us to people.
People connect us to business.
Business connects us to technology, investment, and ultimately, opportunities.
That is why learning a foreign language should not begin only when we suddenly need it for an overseas job.
Start earlier.
We Do Not Have to Figure Everything Out Alone
My career journey has also taught me that we do not have to understand everything by ourselves.
There are many moments in our professional lives when someone gives us trust, guidance, correction, or an opportunity.
A manager.
A senior colleague.
A co-worker.
A mentor.
Sometimes, they see potential in us that we have not yet recognized in ourselves.
That is why I believe it is important to find an environment where we can continue learning.
Listen to people who have more experience.
Do not be afraid to ask questions.
And one day, when we have gained enough experience ourselves, we should do the same for the next generation.
Give someone else the opportunity that someone once gave to us.
Prepare Globally Before the Opportunity Arrives
One message I especially wanted to share with students and young professionals was:
Do not wait until you receive an international opportunity before you start preparing yourself for an international career.
Build your capabilities now.
Learn a foreign language.
Strengthen your technical competence.
Improve your communication skills.
Build a professional network.
Learn how to work with people from different cultures. Because when an opportunity finally arrives, we may not have much time to prepare. Preparation should come before opportunity.
Language Opens the Door, but Competence Keeps You There
There is another important point that must not be overlooked. Foreign language ability is not a substitute for professional competence.
Language is an enabler.
In the professional world, technical capability, experience, integrity, discipline, adaptability, and teamwork remain the foundation of a sustainable career.
Language may help us enter a conversation.
But our competence and character determine how far we can go once we are part of that conversation.
For me, the principle is simple:
Language may open the door, but competence and character determine how far we go.
One of My Greatest Lessons Did Not Come from Machines
More than 15 years in the power generation industry have taken me through different roles—from field operations and control room activities to commissioning, project coordination, assurance, and internal audit.
But one of the greatest lessons I have learned did not come from machines.
It came from people.
Working with people from different countries, cultures, languages, and professional backgrounds has taught me that communication is an essential part of professionalism.
Sometimes, one simple sentence in another person’s language can shorten a very long distance between two people.
That is why I continue to learn.
English.
中文 — Mandarin.
العربية — Arabic.
Not because I want to become a language expert.
But because I want to continue becoming a professional who is able to communicate with an increasingly global world.
I closed the webinar with one simple message:
Keep Learning
Don’t wait until you need a foreign language to start learning one.
Start today.
You do not need to wait until you are fluent.
Learn five new words.
Try one sentence.
Read one article.
Speak with one new person.
Because we never know where one small skill we begin developing today may take us several years from now.
Your language can take you places.
And perhaps the next great opportunity in our career journey is already waiting for us—
in a language we have only just started learning today.
Agus Setiawan
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