From Ride-Hailing to Life Lessons

Between the end of last year and May 2025, I worked part-time as a ride-hailing driver. Every day, I navigated the streets of Tamalanrea—delivering food, collecting items, and occasionally transporting passengers. That route became a part of my daily rhythm; I memorized every turn, traffic light, and even which shops were busiest at certain hours.

Being a ride-hailing driver is far more than just pick-up and drop-off. Each weekend, I planned strategically: activating the app earlier, targeting high-demand areas, and ensuring my motorcycle was in top condition. Through this, I learned invaluable lessons—about time management, customer service, and reading the pulse of the city.

Yet, one incident still echoes in my mind. I had briefly stopped at a university canteen near Hasanuddin University when a student—or perhaps a lecturer assistant—remarked,

"Kak, how long are you going to keep doing this? You should find a permanent job."

I simply smiled. I was momentarily silent—not out of offense, but because I was considering the most thoughtful response.

In fact, prior to this, I had held a formal position with a monthly salary ranging from RM2,400 to RM2,900 (approximately IDR 8.4 million to 10 million). Nonetheless, I chose this path—not out of desperation, but because I understood the goals I was pursuing.

Perhaps the individual meant well—offering advice out of concern. Yet, not everyone who chooses this line of work is lost or without direction. Some are saving for short-term goals. Others are seeking supplementary income. And there are those who simply prefer the flexibility—being their own boss.

I firmly believe that regardless of the nature of our employment—whether full-time, part-time, permanent, freelance, or even what is perceived as “temporary”—what matters most is having a clear direction and the ability to extract meaningful experience from the journey.

From my time as a ride-hailing driver, I gained insights that no corporate meeting room could offer: endurance, market awareness, and the importance of personal integrity.

This is not a matter of pride or status, but rather about how we choose to invest our time and energy wisely. It is about how we transform opportunities into learning experiences, and how we remain humble—even when confronted with judgment from others.

Ultimately, I came to realize: what truly matters is not where we work, but how we turn our work into a vehicle for growth. Whatever job you hold today, may it serve as a meaningful foundation for a better and more fulfilling tomorrow.