Semarang, December 7, 2025 — Graduating from university with an engineering degree is often associated with a linear career path in a related industry. However, the journey of Muhammad Said Rinaldy, a 2014 graduate of Naval Architecture (Teknik Perkapalan) at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), proves that the intellectual foundation and character built on campus can become valuable capital for forging success in an unexpected field: the world of financial market trading and education.
After graduating in 2018, Said—as he is familiarly called—began his career outside the naval industry. He first worked as a Talent Manager at Glints, then moved to an administrative role at PT Garuda Systrain Interindo, before finally returning to his academic roots as an HSE Officer (Health, Safety, and Environment Officer) at PT Marcopolo Shipyard from 2020 to 2022. His experience in the maritime industry, especially in a position concerning human lives, equipped him with strong discipline, responsibility, and mental resilience.
“When I was at Marcopolo, I had to be prepared physically, mentally, in heart and soul because the job involved the lives of every worker,” recalled the Semarang-born man. “Character like that cannot be bought; it is formed through experience.”
In 2022, Said took a bold step to leave the corporate world and fully pursue his passion in the financial markets. He now works as a full-time trader and is the founder and owner of the community ‘Catatan Tarik Garis’ (@catatantarikgaris). He established this community with a clear mission: to help novice traders who are “lost” in the market.
“We help by providing knowledge and restoring their mentality and confidence in the market. The ultimate output is to make them profitable traders,” explained Said regarding his community’s role. He believes that trading success does not solely depend on technical analysis, but also on consistency, leadership, and trustworthiness—values he honed precisely while working in various previous fields.
In his message for fellow juniors and UNDIP alumni, especially from Naval Architecture, Said conveyed a profound motivation. He emphasized that not working in the naval field after graduation is not the end of the world.
“Perhaps God knows you need the provisions from Naval Architecture more to face the harshness of real life after graduation,” he wrote. “What we achieve today is the fruit of all our sweat, tears, and hard work.”
Said also advised always prioritizing honesty and involving parental blessings in every major life step. “As long as you are given breath, it means there are still a million opportunities to rise and fight,” he asserted spiritedly.
At the end of his sharing, he attached his alma mater’s proud jargon: Kapal Hebat, Kapal Kuat, Kapal Jaya! (Great Ship, Strong Ship, Glorious Ship!)—a symbol that the ship-strong character built during university is capable of sailing through the waves in any ocean of life and career.
The story of Muhammad Said Rinaldy serves as an inspiration that success can be achieved on a non-linear path, with the capital of character, learning from every experience, and the courage to follow one’s passion.