Strategi Komunikasi Digital Virtual Assistant Course dalam Meningkatkan Kesiapan Kerja di Era Digital

Abstract

Perkembangan teknologi dan pesatnya pertumbuhan pekerjaan jarak jauh mendorong munculnya berbagai profesi digital, salah satunya adalah Virtual Assistant (VA). VA merupakan pekerjaan berbasis digital yang memungkinkan seseorang bekerja secara fleksibel dengan klien dari berbagai negara tanpa perlu berpindah tempat tinggal. Profesi ini menuntut kesiapan kerja yang tidak hanya mencakup keterampilan teknis, tetapi juga kecakapan komunikasi digital dan kemampuan beradaptasi dalam lingkungan kerja virtual. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis strategi komunikasi digital yang diterapkan dalam kursus pelatihan Virtual Assistant serta mengukur kontribusinya terhadap peningkatan kesiapan kerja peserta. Penelitian dilakukan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif deskriptif korelasional dengan menyebarkan kuesioner kepada 113 responden yang telah mengikuti pelatihan VA berbasis komunitas selama minimal empat minggu pada platform XYZ. Strategi komunikasi digital dianalisis berdasarkan lima fungsi media dari McQuail (informasi, korelasi, kontinuitas, hiburan, dan mobilisasi), sementara kesiapan kerja diukur berdasarkan teori employability dari Fugate yang mencakup identitas karier, adaptabilitas pribadi, serta modal sosial dan manusia. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa semua indikator dalam instrumen penelitian valid dan reliabel. Penilaian peserta terhadap strategi komunikasi digital yang digunakan dalam pelatihan tergolong sangat baik. Materi pelatihan mudah diakses dan dipahami, interaksi antara peserta dan fasilitator berjalan aktif, serta proses pembelajaran berlangsung secara konsisten selama enam minggu. Media pembelajaran yang menarik dan keterlibatan komunitas yang solid juga turut mendorong motivasi dan kepercayaan diri peserta. Tingkat kesiapan kerja peserta setelah mengikuti pelatihan dinyatakan tinggi. Peserta menunjukkan pemahaman yang kuat mengenai tujuan karier mereka, kemampuan adaptasi yang baik terhadap teknologi digital, serta keterampilan dalam membangun jejaring profesional secara daring. Kontribusi pelatihan mencakup penguatan keterampilan teknis, karakter, dan fleksibilitas dalam dunia kerja. Analisis korelasi menunjukkan hubungan yang sangat kuat dan signifikan antara strategi komunikasi digital dan kesiapan kerja peserta. Strategi komunikasi digital yang lebih efektif mendorong peningkatan kesiapan kerja peserta secara signifikan. Temuan ini mempertegas pentingnya desain komunikasi digital yang terstruktur dan strategis dalam membentuk sumber daya manusia yang kompeten dan mampu bersaing dalam pasar kerja digital global. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi akademik melalui pengujian teori komunikasi dan employability, serta kontribusi praktis berupa rekomendasi pengembangan pelatihan berbasis digital yang lebih efektif dan adaptif terhadap kebutuhan zaman.

The development of technology and the rapid growth of remote work have encouraged the emergence of various digital professions, one of which is Virtual Assistant (VA). VA is a digital-based job that allows someone to work flexibly with clients from various countries without having to move. This profession requires work readiness that not only includes technical skills, but also digital communication skills and the ability to adapt in a virtual work environment. This study aims to analyze the digital communication strategies applied in Virtual Assistant training courses and measure their contribution to improving participants' work readiness. The study was conducted using a quantitative descriptive correlational approach by distributing questionnaires to 113 respondents who had participated in community-based VA training for at least four weeks on the XYZ platform. Digital communication strategies were analyzed based on McQuail's five media functions (information, correlation, continuity, entertainment, and mobilization), while work readiness was measured based on Fugate's employability theory which includes career identity, personal adaptability, and social and human capital. The results of the analysis showed that all indicators in the research instrument were valid and reliable. Participants' assessment of the digital communication strategies used in the training was very good. The training materials were easy to access and understand, the interaction between participants and facilitators was active, and the learning process took place consistently for six weeks. Interesting learning media and solid community involvement also helped to boost participants' motivation and confidence. The level of participants' work readiness after participating in the training was declared high. Participants showed a strong understanding of their career goals, good adaptability to digital technology, and skills in building professional networks online. The training's contribution included strengthening technical skills, character, and flexibility in the world of work. Correlation analysis showed a very strong and significant relationship between digital communication strategies and participants' work readiness. More effective digital communication strategies significantly increased participants' work readiness. These findings emphasize the importance of structured and strategic digital communication design in forming competent human resources who are able to compete in the global digital job market. This study provides academic contributions through testing communication and employability theories, as well as practical contributions in the form of recommendations for developing digital-based training that is more effective and adaptive to the needs of the times.