The Chance of Gifted Intelligent Students’ Success in Career

Rini Sugiarti

and Fendy Suhariadi

Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia.

Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

riendoe@usm.ac.id

Keywords: Gifted Intelligent Students, Success in Career, Soft Skill.

Abstract: In some cases, in working world, workers who tend to have satisfactory academic achievement do not

always have career as bright as their intellectual capacity. This study employs qualitative-phenomenological

approach which is aimed at describing the chance of success in career of gifted intelligent students. Method

used is interview. The subject in this study is gifted intelligent student who live in a dormitory. Soft Skill is

defined as the quality of interpersonal and personal attribute that an individual has that influences success at

work. This study has identified 10 soft skills that are believed to be the most important and necessary to be

mastered in order to gain success in career for gifted intelligent students. The ten soft skills are Continuous

Learning, Good orientation and futuristic thinking, Effort and responsibility, Hardworking, actively asking

question, Enthusiastic, Self-management, Positive vibes to team or classmates, Empathy, and Respect to

others. From the result of the research, in conclusion, the chance of success in career of gifted intelligent

students is closely related to their soft skills.

1 INTRODUCTION

Human resources are precious assets (Suhariadi,

2013). Achieving bright career is a dream of every

individual, even more for an individual as the

prospective human resources who have intellectual

capacity above average, with high GPA and

awareness of competition demand in the future.

However, as a matter of fact, many of those

excellent human resources, having high intellectual

capacity as well as high GPA score, are lacked of or

even not able to develop their career.

Gifted intelligent students are students with high

IQ (Feldhusen, 2005; Gordon and Bridglall, 2005;

Sword, 2001) and have academic achievement in

math and reading subjects (Borland, 2005; Cochran,

2009). They are called extraordinary students

because their intellectual capacity is beyond normal

students’ intellectual capacity, which is above

average. In addition, they have significant

differences in some important dimensions of their

humanity function (Feldhusen, 2005; Gordon and

Bridglall, 2005; Sword, 2001), and more excellent

academic achievement compared to other normal

students at their age (Mangunsong, 2009; Schanella

dan Mc Carthy, 2009). They also have great ability

in receiving various kinds of knowledge and strong

memory as well as big curiosity (Fornia and Frame,

2001; Renstra Ditjen Dikmen 2010; Sternberg, et al,

2011).

Indonesia has approximately 1.3 million gifted

intelligent students at school age. Renstra Ditjen

Dikmen 2010-2014 shows that based on Wechsler

IQ classification, Indonesian children classified as

gifted intelligent students with IQ above 130 are as

much as 2.2% of the total population. As much as

2.2 percent or approximately 4,118 people among

them are classified as gifted intelligent. Gifted

intelligent students as prospective human resources

in the future are equipped with a bigger ability to

develop and tend to have over excitability compared

to normal students in general, either from physical,

intellectual, imagination or emotional side. Gifted

intelligent students as prospective human resources,

who have intellectual potential above average,

theoretically, have bright chance to achieve their

future (Swaans, et al, 2008). Therefore, as stated by

Fornia and Frame (2001) and also Goleman (2006),

the optimisation of intellectual strength is ideally

accompanied with various things as well including

the development of emotional, personality and social

aspect (Sugiarti and Suhariadi, 2017). Non-

intellectual aspects are as important as intellectual or

academic ability aspects because achieving success

262

Sugiarti, R. and Suhariadi, F.

The Chance of Gifted Intelligent Students’ Success in Career.

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Educational Sciences (ICES 2017) - Volume 2, pages 262-267

ISBN: 978-989-758-314-8

in future life, besides influenced by intellectual

capacity, is also supported by other aspects, known

as soft skill. Gifted intelligent students are one of

prospective human resources in the future.

Soft skill is an important aspect for prospective

human resources especially when they enter working

world or start their career (Matteson, et al, 2016).

The most influencing factor of failure in career for

human resources is the lack of learning and

implementing intangible skill, or commonly known

as soft skill. There is lack of awareness that soft skill

is the key of success when someone enters working

world or career world (Manutti, 2015; Pratt and

Richard, 2014). How determinant prospective

human resources are in preparing themselves for

their future, perhaps even by obtaining a very

satisfying GPA score, but without the support of soft

skill, it will be difficult for anyone to reach bright

success in career. Satisfactory GPA score and

competence in a field as parameters will only help

them to get the job, not to reach bright career

(Manuti, et al, 2015).

1.1 The Focus of the Research

This research focuses more on the following:

a. The picture of future career owned by the

subject.

b. Subject making an effort to accomplish the

best achievement through soft skill indicators

owned.

1.2 The Objective of the Research

This research is aimed at providing description and

understanding:

a. How is the picture of future career owned by

the subject?

b. How does the subject make an effort to

accomplish the best achievement through soft

skill indicators owned?

2 RESEARCH METHOD

This study applied phenomenological qualitative

approach. Phenomenological approach was used in

this research. In Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia

(Dictionary of Indonesian Language),

phenomenology is the study of consciousness

development and human self-recognition. It is a

science that came before philosophy.

Phenomenology comes from Greek word

“pahainomenon” (symptom/phenomena).

Phenomenology is a science of what is seen

about a symptom or phenomena that has ever been a

human experience that can be a parameter to

conduct a qualitative research. Phenomenology also

means “logos” (knowledge) about what is seen

(phainomenon). Thus, phenomenology studies what

is seen or what appears (Smith, 2008; Smith and

Osborn, 2008).

2.1 The Technique of Data Collecting

The data in this study were collected through

interview and observation technique suited to the

objective of this research. Stages of data collecting

process were: building rapport with the research

subject so that the subject can feel convenient and is

able to give information regarding the object of the

research. The researcher made an observation during

the interview and recorded the result of the

observation.

The researcher performed an interview in natural

setting and applied in depth interview by following

interview guidelines according to the objective of

the research. Data obtained were verbatim interview

data and summary. Observation method was also

used, apart from interview, in order to collect

information that couldn’t be obtained during the

interview process. Observation made consists of

observation of subject’s activities, behavior and

comment both verbal and nonverbal (Creswell, 210).

Guidelines of Interview on the Characteristics of

Behavior seen in a gifted intelligent student’s action

in completing a task and his interaction at school so

that they gain chance of career success in the future

are as follows the table 1:

Table 1: Guidelines of interview on the characteristics of

behavior.

DIMENSION

INTERVIEW

GUIDELINES

Description of

future (career)

owned by subject

- knowledge about future

target

The Chance of Gifted Intelligent Students’ Success in Career

263

the form and way

of subject in the

effort to

accomplish best

achievement

through soft skill

he has

- Attitude and behavior

in the effort to

accomplish best

achievement

- Characteristics of

positive behavior in

completing school tasks

(achievement) through

soft skill indicators

2.2 Technique of Data Organization

and Analysis

Data analysis performed in this research was

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis by Smith

(2008). It generates data related to experience,

perspective, and meaning of employees’ productive

behavior which was either experienced or observed

by the research subject.

Stages of Interpretative Phenomenological

Analysis are:

a. Reading and reading lag

b. Recording

c. Developing themes that come up

d. Searching for connection of various themes

that come up

e. Moving on to the next case

f. Finding the pattern of the case

2.3 Technique of Research Credibility

Test

Explicit data collection method, collecting strategy

and data analysis were revealed openly and well

documented in order to validate the credibility of the

research. Data obtained from interview and

observation were stored and protected. The

researcher also assessed the completion and

validation of data gathered. The researcher

performed stages of data collecting according to

stages of phenomenology method approach

(Moleong, 2005; Smith and Osborn, 2008).

2.4 Setting of the Research

Research location is one factor that supports this

study. Conducive research location can support data

collected from the subject because it can provide

convenience and make the subject more open in

giving the information. In the interview process,

location and time were adjusted to the condition and

subject availability. The researcher performed the

interview and observation when the subject was in

mid semester break.

3 RESEARCH RESULTS

The research was conducted based on the schedule

that had been arranged, which was on 5th of March

2017 in the subject’s house. Interview and

observation were performed carefully. The subject’s

comfort was the main priority so that he was able to

tell his experience and perception on the

characteristics seen in gifted intelligent students’

action in completing a task and interaction at school

so that they gain chance of career success in the

future.

The following is the transcript of the interview

(table 2):

Table 2: Transcript of the interview.

Subject Initial: AA

Subject Code: AA

Interviewer: RS

Interviewer code: RS

Location: Subject’s house

Date of the Interview: 5

March 2017

CODE

RESULT OF INTERVIEW

INTERPRETATION

RS-0101-1

Good day, how are you?

I’ve got information from school that you are one of

students received scholarship in one of Senior High

School in Singapore.

Can you tell me how you see and understand the

future?

Subject understands the definition of future.

Subject has good orientation and futuristic

thinking

ICES 2017 - 1st International Conference on Educational Sciences

264

AA-0101-2

Yes, I am one of Indonesian students received

scholarship opportunity for studying in one of Senior

High School in Singapore.

Future is something that every person heads to.

Every person must have desire for their future.

Future is something that will be achieved through

step by step processes. Everybody definitely wishes

to reach bright, proud, and great future.

RN-0102-1

How can you understand future target that you want?

Subject knows and understands academic

achievement target for his future.

MN-0102-2

At first, I was also confused about my future target.

Here, I am as one of the scholars prepared to achieve

so that in the future I will be “something”. After I

explored and discussed with my mentor and also my

teachers, I began to know and have interest in some

school subjects that I want to take.

RN-0103-1

How do you reach academic achievement target?

Subject knows and understands how to reach

academic achievement target.

AA-0103-2

At first, I was so confused because I had not figured

out what I am supposed to do, basically feeling so

tense and stressful as well. I felt this particularly

during the first semester as a scholar. Being

separated with my family and adapting to a different

environment and habits felt so hard. Must be able to

concentrate, focus and be brave to ask question. I

don’t want to waste any chances given to me. only

few Indonesian students who got the opportunity

like I have.

RS-0201-1

How is your attitude and behavior towards achieving

the best?

Gifted intelligent students who gain chance of

career success in the future have the following

characteristics:

 Continuous Learning

 Effort and responsible.

 Hardworking

 Actively asking question

 Enthusiastic

 Self-management

 Empathy

 Respect to others

AA-0201-2

I always study continuously and consistently. I have

a strong determination and responsibility for all

tasks given by my teachers. I work hard to give my

best effort. In the class, if there is anything I don’t

really understand, I immediately ask question. I have

big interest and enthusiasm in subjects especially

chemistry and physics.

Tasks given are so many that I must be able to

manage my time in order to complete all of them

well. Sometimes, I can’t finish the task alone so I

need to work together with my classmates or other

friends. Sometimes my friends need me so we help

and support each other. If one of us doesn’t feel able

to do something, we had better support him/her to be

successful together. Never belittle other people,

whatever his/her condition is.

3.1 The Result of the Observation

During interview process, the subject seemed

excited and serious in giving answers. However,

sometimes the interview was interspersed with jokes

and laughs sometimes particularly when answering

questions about communication ability he has. The

interview lasted for approximately 1.5 hours. The

condition of subject’s house was pretty clean and

conducive. The subject was also enthusiastic enough

in answering questions from the researcher.

3.2 Discussion

Phenomenology approach in this study is in depth

disclosure about self-experience and way of view

things or perspective of characteristics seen in gifted

intelligent students’ action in completing a task and

their interaction at school. Interpretation obtained

from the result of the interview gives clues and

information about characteristics seen in gifted

intelligent students’ action in completing a task and

their interaction at school so that he achieves chance

of career success in the future according to the

The Chance of Gifted Intelligent Students’ Success in Career

265

subject. Thus, the result will be different if the

interview is performed with another subject.

Phenomenology is a research strategy that a

researcher identifies the essence of experience of

gifted intelligent students’ action in completing a

task and their interaction at school that makes them

gain chance of career success in the future. Findings

in this study show that the subject:

1. Understands the definition of future – good

orientation and futuristic thinking.

2. Knows and understands academic

achievement target for his future.

3. Knows and understands how to reach his

academic achievement target.

4. Has the following characteristics:

 Continuous Learning

 Futuristic thinking

 Effort and responsible.

 Hardworking

 Actively asking question

 Enthusiastic

 Self-management

 Positive vibes to team or classmates

 Empathy

 Respect to others

Soft skill is not merely to be learned, memorized

or remembered. What is important is how to

implement soft skills in daily life. It is not easy to

teach soft skill, but it is easy to spread (Shakir,

2009). It means that soft skill is not merely

understood as a concept, but it is about how the

prospective human resources are able to apply them

continuously in order to reach bright career

(Matteson, et al, 2016).

Continuous learning shows that the subjects are

willing to go through a learning process. The

subjects are also active to improve themselves

through practices and exercises until the goal of the

learning is achieved. Moreover, the subjects also

always make an effort to learn a new concept, apply

a new method, and know various kinds of relatively

new technologies. Other soft skills reflected from

the subjects are good orientation and futuristic

thinking. These soft skills show that the subjects

have the ability to focus their effort to reach the goal

and to project necessary things that has not been

achieved.

Effort and responsible is the third soft skill found

in the subjects of this research. This indicates that

the subjects implement their personal characters to

accomplish their achievement by working on

everything that becomes their responsibility

wholeheartedly. Hardworking is soft skill or

personal characteristic that is also seen in the

subjects’ everyday life. It indicates that the subjects

also have toughness in doing all the tasks that should

be done. Actively asking question. This soft skill or

personal character shows the willingness of the

subjects to actively ask questions, clarify things

particularly for things that they do not understand in

order to get the same perception. On the other side,

enthusiastic is as part of characters shown by the

subjects in receiving stimulus and other activities.

This enthusiasm shows big interest, spirit and

passion as the strength to do all activities to reach

the intended final goal. Enthusiasm also becomes

great motivation for them to reach their life dream.

Enthusiasm encourages the scholars to never stop

learning.

Self-management is the ability to manage self,

potential and time effectively. Self-management is a

procedure an individual does to manage his/her own

behavior (Gie, 1996). Self-management is a

condition where, after an individual determines

his/her future life goal for him/herself, he/she must

manage and maintain him/herself as well as he/she

can in order to direct him/herself to the path of

his/her life goal; including managing all steps and

activities and self (Gie, 1996).

Positive vibes to team or classmates is one of soft

skills found in this study. Positive vibes are another

term for positive thinking that later is implemented

in daily life by spreading aura and positive spirit to

the surrounding. It can be seen in the willingness to

support group or individual success of the

classmates. Another soft skill found in the subjects

in this study is empathy. This soft skill can be seen

from the willingness of the subjects to show their

care to others and their surroundings. Meanwhile,

respect to others that is also one soft skill revealed in

this study is the willingness to respect another

individual (Matteson, 2016) in any condition. The

subjects show all those characters in their daily life.

The ten soft skills found in this study are a group of

important personal characters to support success.

Soft skills are not merely to be learned, memorized,

or remembered. What is more important is how to

implement the soft skills in everyday life. Soft skills

are not easy to be taught, but they are easy to be

spread to others (Shakir, 2009).

4 CONLUSIONS

Human resources are precious assets. In some cases,

in working world, workers who tend to have

ICES 2017 - 1st International Conference on Educational Sciences

266

satisfactory academic achievement do not always

have career as bright as their intellectual capacity.

Soft skill is an important aspect for prospective

human resources especially when they enter working

world or start their career. Soft skills are not merely

to be learned, memorized, or remembered. What is

more important is how to implement the soft skills in

everyday life. By making soft skills as habit, soft

skills will become the most important key for gifted

intelligent students as prospective human resources

to prepare their bright future career.

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