Get to know Upthrive
Upthrive is an intensive 4-week career-readiness program that helps university students and recent graduates turn their existing experience into clearer professional evidence through an English CV, a pathway-specific portfolio, and guided interview practice.
The program is supported by Young Leaders for Indonesia Foundation, implemented in collaboration with Omongin.id and the Student English Society of IPB.
Upthrive is output-focused. Mentees are expected to enter the program with at least one or two relevant projects and actively improve how those experiences are presented. Projects may come from university coursework, student organizations, personal initiatives, competitions, internships, freelance work, or other relevant experience.
What you will work toward
Throughout Upthrive, you will work on a set of practical outputs designed to strengthen how you present your experience, skills, and professional value. Each part of the program contributes to a specific outcome, with guidance, practice, and feedback provided along the way. By the end of the program, you are expected to have made clear progress across the following areas:
| Outcome | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| English CV | Update your experience using the template and guidance provided by Upthrive. |
| Portfolio | Present relevant work using the provided portfolio structure and your pathway's expectations. |
| Professional English practice | Use the interview simulator to practice explaining your skills and experience. |
| Mentor feedback | Discuss your CV, past work, and portfolio direction with a pathway-specific Track Mentor. |
| Program completion | Meet the participation requirement, finish the required coursework, submit the required outputs, and complete the post-test. |
Eligibility and application
A. Who may apply
- Students enrolled at an Indonesian university, with priority given to students in their second, third, or fourth year.
- Recent graduates may also apply.
- Applicants from any academic major may apply if they can demonstrate relevant interest and project experience in the chosen pathway.
- There is no minimum English proficiency requirement.
- Applicants should have at least one or two relevant projects to develop or present during the program.
B. What counts as relevant experience
You do not need formal work experience to participate in Upthrive. Relevant experience can come from any activity where you applied skills, solved a problem, created something, contributed to a team, or took responsibility for a meaningful outcome.
The key is having work or experiences that you can develop, reflect on, and present more clearly throughout the program.
| Experience source | Examples |
|---|---|
| University | Course assignments, research, class projects, or capstone work |
| Personal | Self-directed projects, portfolio pieces, experiments, or community initiatives |
| Organization | Committee work, student organization projects, campaigns, or internal tools |
| Professional | Internships, freelance work, volunteering, competitions, or part-time work |
C. Available pathways
Each pathway has different ways to demonstrate your skills. Use the guide below to understand what mentors will generally look for. You do not need to include everything listed, and your portfolio can look different depending on your background, target role, and project.
Data
Mentoring focus: Show how you identify a problem, analyze data, find meaningful insights, and communicate what those insights mean.
- Problem / objective
- Dataset
- Analysis process
- Dashboard or visualization
- Key findings
- Recommendations
- Measurable results if available
Information Technology
Mentoring focus: Show how you turn a problem into a technical solution, what you personally contributed, and how the solution works.
- Problem statement
- Your role
- Product / system overview
- Tech stack
- Repository
- Documentation
- Screenshots / demo
- Technical challenges
- Outcomes
Creative
Mentoring focus: Show how you understand the audience and objective, develop an idea or strategy, execute it, and evaluate the result.
- Creative brief
- Audience
- Objective
- Concept / strategy
- Design, content, or copy assets
- Rationale
- Final outputs
- Performance metrics
- Reflections
D. How selection works
Upthrive uses a simple selection process to ensure each participant enters the program with a clear pathway and enough relevant experience to work on throughout the cohort. Please choose your pathway carefully, as participants may not change pathways after selection.
- 1Submit the Upthrive application form with accurate and complete information.
- 2Select one pathway: Data, Information Technology, or Creative.
- 3Describe at least one or two relevant projects or experiences in the application.
- 4The Upthrive team reviews applications and confirms selected participants.
- 5Selected participants complete the placement test and onboarding instructions.
Program timeline
This is the working program schedule. Upthrive will publish any approved adjustment on your application page on the website and remind you in the official WhatsApp group.
- 10–15 SepRegistrationSubmit the application form and select one pathway.
- 15–16 SepApplication review and placement testComplete the required baseline or placement assessment after receiving instructions.
- 17 SepLiveCohort kickoffAttend the live orientation and understand the program journey and responsibilities.
- 18–23 SepCV courseworkComplete the required lessons and update your English CV using the provided template.
- 24 Sep – 3 OctLiveTrack Mentor clinicAgree on a session time, prepare your materials, attend the 60-minute clinic, and record your next steps.
- 24 Sep – 4 OctPortfolio developmentComplete the required lessons and develop your pathway-specific portfolio.
- 5–10 OctInterview practicePractice professional English using the interview simulator and complete the assignment.
- 5–13 OctCapstone completionFinalize your CV and portfolio and complete all remaining requirements.
- 13 OctFinal submission and post-testSubmit the required outputs and complete the post-test.
- 17 OctLiveClosing sessionAttend the live closing session and complete the program reflection.
- 18 OctProgram completionThe 2026 Upthrive program officially ends.
Participation and responsibilities
Every scheduled component supports the final outputs and is treated as part of the program. Mentees should aim to complete the entire journey, even though the minimum tracked participation rate for graduation is 80 percent.
A. Required participation
| Component | Format | Mentee responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort kickoff | Live online | Attend, participate, and understand the program requirements. |
| CV coursework | Asynchronous | Complete the lessons and submit the assigned CV work in Google Classroom. |
| Track Mentor clinic | Live small group | Prepare, attend, contribute to the discussion, and record action points. |
| Portfolio coursework | Asynchronous | Complete the lessons and develop the required portfolio submission. |
| Interview practice | Asynchronous | Use the interview simulator and complete the assigned practice. |
| Post-test | Asynchronous | Complete the learning assessment. No minimum score is required. |
| Closing session | Live online | Attend the final session and complete the closing reflection. |
B. Core responsibilities
- Join Google Classroom and the official WhatsApp group using the name submitted during registration.
- Check your application page on the website, WhatsApp, and Google Classroom regularly for announcements and deadlines.
- Complete every required module and assignment honestly and on time.
- Attend the required live sessions and the agreed Track Mentor clinic.
- Submit an updated English CV, an English portfolio, and the post-test.
- Communicate early if a genuine scheduling or access issue affects participation.
C. Weekly time commitment
Required coursework
Upthrive uses text-based learning materials and assignments in Google Classroom. Every module is required. The final module titles may be updated before publication without changing the learning outcomes below.
| Working module title | Learning focus | Required evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Position Your Experience | How to prepare an English CV that is clear, relevant, and easy for recruiters to scan | Updated English CV using the provided template |
| Build Your Proof | How to present relevant projects and experience in an English portfolio | Pathway-specific portfolio using the provided template |
| Communicate Your Value | How to explain experience and respond to professional questions in English | Completed interview-simulator practice and assignment |
A. How to approach the coursework
- 1Read the full module before editing your submission.
- 2Review the template and examples provided in Google Classroom.
- 3Apply the lesson to your own experience rather than copying the example.
- 4Complete the assignment and review it for clarity, accuracy, and English language quality.
- 5Submit the required evidence through Google Classroom before the deadline.
B. Completion standard
Track Mentor clinic
Each mentee is assigned to a small group of approximately three to five participants in the same pathway. The group attends one 60-minute online clinic with a Track Mentor between 24 September and 3 October 2026.
A. Purpose of the clinic
- Understand what credible portfolio work looks like in the selected field.
- Receive advice on how relevant experience is described in the CV.
- Discuss which project or body of work should be presented in the portfolio.
- Test whether the portfolio scope is realistic for the remaining program period.
- Leave with clear personal action points.
B. What to prepare
- Your latest CV draft.
- One or two past projects or portfolio examples.
- A short explanation of what you want to showcase and why.
- Specific questions you want to ask the mentor.
- A place to record notes and your next actions.
C. Suggested session flow
The mentoring session is designed to be practical and focused. The flow below is a suggested structure to help you make the most of your time with the Track Mentor, while keeping enough space for discussion, feedback, and questions.
| Time | Segment | Mentee contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 10 min | Opening | Introduce yourself, your pathway interest, and your goal. |
| 15 min | CV discussion | Explain the experience and projects currently included in your CV. |
| 25 min | Portfolio consultation | Present your project options and ask for advice on scope, structure, and evidence. |
| 10 min | Next steps | Confirm your personal action points and ask final questions. |
D. Scheduling and attendance
The mentor and mentees agree on a session time through the assigned WhatsApp group. The session must remain within the official mentoring window. If you cannot attend the proposed time, communicate promptly and work toward a reasonable compromise with the group. Mentor communication is expected to end after the clinic unless the mentor independently offers otherwise.
Interview practice and post-test
The final stage of Upthrive focuses on practicing how you communicate your experience and reflecting on what you have learned throughout the program.
A. Interview practice
The interview component gives you a structured opportunity to practice professional English using the interview simulator. The objective is to become more comfortable explaining your background, experience, skills, and portfolio work. Complete the required simulator activity and assignment in Google Classroom.
B. Post-test
The post-test checks what you learned during the program and supports Upthrive's program evaluation. There is no minimum score, but completing the post-test is required for graduation. Answer independently and honestly so the result reflects your learning.
Graduation requirements
Participants should complete every program component. To be recognized as an Upthrive graduate, a participant must satisfy all of the requirements below.
| Requirement | Graduation standard |
|---|---|
| Participation | Complete at least 80 percent of tracked live sessions and asynchronous program components. |
| Coursework | Complete the required Google Classroom modules and assignments. |
| English CV | Submit the final CV according to the assignment instructions. |
| English portfolio | Submit the final pathway-specific portfolio according to the assignment instructions. |
| Interview practice | Complete the required interview-simulator activity and assignment. |
| Post-test | Complete the post-test. No minimum score applies. |
| Letter of Commitment | Sign and submit the participant commitment before beginning the program. |
Frequently asked questions
QDo I need advanced English?+
No. Upthrive does not set a minimum English level. You should be willing to learn and practice in English.
QDo I need professional work experience?+
No. University, personal, organizational, internship, freelance, competition, and volunteer projects may qualify.
QCan I join without a project?+
Applicants should have at least one or two relevant projects that can be improved or presented during the program.
QCan I change pathways after selection?+
No. Choose the pathway that best matches your existing interests and project experience.
QAre the modules optional?+
No. Every published Google Classroom module and assignment is required.
QWhat if I cannot attend the proposed mentor time?+
Inform the group promptly and work with the mentor and other mentees to find a reasonable time within the official window.
QIs there a minimum post-test score?+
No, but completing the post-test is required for graduation.
QWill every participant receive a certificate?+
Only participants who meet the graduation requirements receive a Certificate of Acknowledgement.
QWhere will announcements be shared?+
Selection results and formal announcements are published on your application page on the website. Daily coordination and reminders are shared through WhatsApp, while learning materials and submissions remain in Google Classroom.
Read it all? Apply now.
Registration runs 10–15 September 2026. Pick one pathway and describe one or two projects you want to develop.