LPDP: Indonesia’s Experiment in Funding Education, National Pride, and… Other Countries’ Labor Markets

LPDP invests billions in human capital. But can Indonesia retain its top talent in a global job market?

Mar 1 • Leigh McKiernon

1

February 2026

Indonesia’s Corruption Problem Is Hurting the Global Value of Its Talent

Indonesia’s corruption ranking quietly devalues its talent, suppresses salaries, and weakens how Indonesian experience is trusted and priced globally.

Feb 22 • Leigh McKiernon

3

Why “Why Are You Here?” Is the Most Misanswered Interview Question

Most job candidates focus on what they’re escaping. Smart ones focus on what they’re choosing. Here’s how to get it right.

Feb 20 • Leigh McKiernon

The One Interview Question Candidates Should Always Ask (But Never Do)

The one interview question that exposes real expectations, hidden constraints, and what success actually means once the job starts.

Feb 12 • Leigh McKiernon

1

How Did Indonesia's G20 Economy Make Cambodia Look Like a Good Career Move?

Indonesia grows at 5% yet thousands flee to scam jobs in Cambodia, exposing weak wages, limited mobility, and a fragile job market beyond Jakarta.

Feb 9 • Leigh McKiernon

3

The Mid-Career Job Crisis and Why It’s Time to Dumb Down Your CV

Too senior for mid-level jobs, not senior enough for director roles. Reframe your CV to match today’s barbell job market.

Feb 6 • Leigh McKiernon

2

People Say The New BI Deputy Governor Isn't Qualified For the Job. But Hear Me Out...

Indonesia’s central bank appointment has sparked a debate on nepotism, experience, and whether confidence can replace competence in high-risk leadership…

Feb 1 • Leigh McKiernon

2

January 2026

Indonesia’s "Middle Class": The Most Hard-Working Phrase in Economics

Indonesia’s middle class fell from ~60m to ~48m, but the bigger issue is the low threshold that inflates “middle class” far beyond lived reality.

Jan 25 • Leigh McKiernon

7

Why Most People Can’t Write a Decent CV If Their Life Depended On It

If your CV needs 8 pages to prove you’re senior, you’re not. Hiring teams reject bloated, chaotic resumes. Here's what actually works.

Jan 22 • Leigh McKiernon

Indonesia Re-Enters the Semiconductor Chat With ARM, The UK, and a $125m Piggy Bank

Indonesia once had a semiconductor foothold and lost it. Now it’s back with ARM. Baby steps, big headlines, and a long road ahead.

Jan 18 • Leigh McKiernon

2

GDP Per Capita: The Number That Makes Indonesia Look Richer (and the Public Feel Poorer)

Indonesia’s GDP per capita suggests prosperity, but income data, inequality, and informal work reveal a population still far from middle-class security.

Jan 11 • Leigh McKiernon

6

December 2025

Indonesia’s Startup Boom, Bust, and the Cost of Weaponized Nationalism

Indonesia’s startup crash wasn’t accidental. It was fueled by nationalism, weak governance, and wealth extraction disguised as patriotism.

Dec 21, 2025 • Leigh McKiernon

2